Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/164

 18G4.

10,

you would be

ance, and if est toil."

ither could ith

nor * nigh

s

" Does any one better

do

tndescend-

Annie, his put lier tlircat of the farm lads harry to

to

I

ohaise was brought out, and long before Mr. John Thorley returned y message left for him, bed, little dreaming that her what her husband most

while the presence of his sister he betrayal of his secret a remote .

to themselves, with a voice that strength as she proceeded, Annie

left

simply but pathetically described the Aylmer family, from her first acquaintance with them

and her own diswould She dwelt strongly

arrival of Ethelind,

that the contents of the iron chest to affluence.

upon the generosity of Arthur's disposition, and her conviction that a frank avowal of tho circumstances under which they were tempted to possess themselves of

the hidden treasure would disarm what anger he might justly express offering to be herself the mediator, and her recital with an earnest appeal to

'

all

worldly passions, and, the; hoped for God's mercy, to make instant restitution to the innocent and



whom

this one sinful act Borrow and penury. you forget you forget that he ill and could not find it i

ich

it

—



..

given

dp wh

it

wonld have

Iain hid-

?

or have

hinted this

you —on your honour ?" ?

" On my honour," said Annie, " He looked keenly at her.

no."

" You seem strangely interested young man ready to do anything

in

—

this

for

his

on her cheek, but she

re-

sake.

The blood

rose

plied firmly,

"

Anything but betray you." if we refuse to compromise ourselves, what course do you intend to take, eh ? " She raised her hands entreatingly. " Put not such a fearful alternative before

" And

On

!

one

side, the fair

of those nearest to

me

save

me



fame, the safety,

on the other

What

right.

could I do ? from such a strait

God "

side, the

help me, and

!

John

strode forward, and fiercely grasped his father's arm.

"In

defiance of

my

better

judgment you

have kept those accursed papers ; where are " they ? produce them, I say "Safe, boy, safe," said Ralph, writhing in that powerful clutch. "Are we safe?" his son retorted, signifi" "Can we be safe until He cantly. " I will not be the towards fire. pointed played with any longer you have them about !



produce them, I say." " I wiU not No," said Ralph, doggedly, While I hold them I hold power. Do ye understand? This farm's yours, the land's

you "



the

yours,

money

bank

in the

yours, all

is

"

yours

" Tush

!

in

my name

mere!

your name and your hands; it's all yours, John, but the few bits o' houses that W< re mine before this windfall

"Ay,

hadnM I,

any one

affair to

me

iiity.

that

"]NT o."

to be

ben he wanted her,

them



"

.

restore

He stopped before the and darker. kneeling Annie, and asked abruptly Does Mr. Aylmer know of your coming ?"

still

Ea

horley'a

Thus

Ralph bent his head on his hands, and John walked to and fro, his brow gr


 * i

if b]

1

be by

rich, let it

'

and

•ut,

in



for the old forge

has

your bag; an Cm only an here, away, and a'most told to go twenty 1

Etalph. itisfy

i

.

•ly into

his

mayhap,

as

1

heard ye i.

I

1

wunna

1

a ioa i

.

the police,

and

Ralph, cautiously,

"

w<