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<