CHAPTER XIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 91, 28 February 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER XIII.

AN EAKLY SUMMONS* "The heßt laid plane o' mice and men «anf? aft agl'-y !" Bobnb. With dawn, a nate was received at the station where was confined the prisoner accused of the Vernell theft. Since the exit

of the prisoner of the day previous, the inmate of cell No. 23 had lain on the bed, a coverlet drawn to the chin. Supper had been refused. " Ramors* 1" decided an offioial. " Sulks !" grunted another. Be that as it might, there was no longer necessity for reteution. ♦' The arrest waa an error," the note in question explained plausibly. "My sister had given the boy the money and neglected to int'onn me. This she was at liberty to do, as the money was hera and only in my h>mdB for safe-keeping. You will please Bee that the pu-ooer is immediately released, tho unfortunate blunder kept out of the papers, and the whole affair, aa far as possible, suppressed. I am, yours, etc., J.A.MES D. VERNELL." The letter having been proven authentic, the prisoner was informed of tho contents. " Will you do me a favour?" The an eat was a mistake. It might be to his interest to serve one of the rich Vernells. The officer was obsequious accordingly. 11 Ye<, sir." " Will you go or send at once a message for me ?" " Where?" *' To Dearborn Avenue. Give me a leaf from youi notebook and a pencil. " I'll write a line. Please get me a drink of water." When he had gone, a hand reached from under the coverlet took up the pencil and bit of paper, laid the latter against the wall, and wrote rapidly : " Don't wait to question or wonder, but come to me. For my sake — for Marc's sake —Heaven's sako, como at once. Y. Vernell." The note lay folded on the counterpane when the man returned. "The watery Thanks. Leave it there. No, 1 don't wish to go till after I have seen the lady to whom this is addressed. YVtu will see that it is delivered as soon as possible ?" •'As soon as possible !" in brisk repetition. And he was gone. Mrs Sylvio, turning over from her morning nap, was awakened by a knock at the door. She roso, flung on a wrapper, and opened it. Her maid stood before her with a scrap of folded paper. She took it — read it. "Vella's writing!" she cried. Come to her? What is the trouble at home? " For Marc's sako— Heaven's sake ! Is the child daft?" "The messenger says, ma'am, it's from the Harrison-street station. Mr Vornell is there undtr arrest." Mrs Sylvio's blue eyes, still heavy with sleep, widened. " Under arrest ? Mr Vernoll. That explains a little. Then it is Voyle ! Do they even write alike ? Now, what scrape has the lad got into ? How can I serve him ? \\ hy on earth doesn't he tend for his uncle instead of me? '1 ell the messenger to say I'll 'O. And, Jane, have Robert waked, and tell him I want the coupe. Then come 1 buck and help me to dress. Bless my heart, what a tragical little letter, and," with a yawn, ' how I do wish it had come just thirty minutes later !" In twenty minutes she was drefspd an.d ready to go. Her hu*band opened his eyes, and struggled stupidly back from the land of Nod as sh- bent over him. "By-by, Ed— l'm off" By birth a Cuban, he had been christened Eduardo Rodrica, but to his ch> cry wife and friends he was simply •'Ed." "So early? Where?" •'I've just got a most urgent note from young Vernell, sent from the Harrisonstreet station. He has evidently got into s 'me scrape, and wants my help to extricate him " " Don't you think you had better let me go? The visit is haidiy a pleasant one for a Udy." " Bless your heart, no ! If he had wanted you he would have sent for you If I j-hould not see you again before you go ilotfn town, remember and secure seats for the concert to morrow night. Here's one kis-< to ensure recollection, and one for luck. Good-bye." She went out into the corridor and down the Ptaira a trim, plump figure in her braided brown cloth walking suit, a brocaded parasol to match in her chocolatekidded hands, a coquettish little toque on her head. As she opened the door to pass out she recoiled with a cry of surprise — "Marc !"