Arranging a Burglary.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4348, 19 April 1884, Page 4

Arranging a Burglary.

"TIfKKK have boon a good many bur_-lari_ of late Thomas," said -Mr Thoikon g * h was about: leaving the bank for the T* and I have been thinking it mi^ b. well if you remained here of ni. his for th present-especially as ono of the entran-!! ljcvs wmwsing, and may have gotten into

"Ihavc been thinking that same th.,, myself, sir," 'Ihomas answered. «l c '° he on the lounge there, you see, in the back office, quite comfortable like."

"And sleep through a dozen safe e_ plosions, most likely, and never lose » snore."

" Never fear, sir; the stirring of amove. wakes me.

" "Well, take this revolver, then ; I S . D . pose you kno.v how to use it ?"

Ihomas hoped he did ; hoped he hadn't been in the army without learning that much. And so Thomas was left on guardand the rich banker, who had outstayed all his clerks this evening, took his departure Mr Thornton was a wido.ver, having _| only son, whom he had set his heart on marrying to a ward of his, a young heiress whose fortune had lost nothing under hi. management, the fruits of which he would have been loth to see reaped by a stranger But Mary Burton had a will, as well as a heart of her own, and naturally felt that the former was entitled to some share in the disposal of the latter. She esteemed Edward Thornton, but she both loved and esteemed Lawrence Ridgeley; and that made a mighty difference. "As for the young men, they were both her-adorer, though Edward knew his suit was hopeless' and had long ceased to press it There was even a warm friendship between himself and his rival. They had been schoolmates and companions in the days when Lawrence Ridgeley's father was' a prosperous merchant, whose son was little likely ever to be under the necessity of earning his bread, as he was now doing, in the position of a hard-worked clerk in the banking-house of Abel Thornton.

That gentleman, we have said, had set his heart on the marriage of his son to his ward, and he was not slow in discovering that Lawrence Ridgeley was a serious impediment to his plans—an impedimentwhich he would have gladly removed without being over scrupulous as to the means, for he was a hard and cruel man to those whom he conceived to stand in his way.

Before Lawrence Ridgeley left the bank on the evening in question, he received directions from Mr Thornton to meet the latter in his library, after tea, to assist in the preparation of some foreign correspondence to go out by next morning's mail. The young clerk was there at the appointed time. He wrote, at his employer', dictation, till a late hour, when it became necessary to the further progress of their work to consult some papers, which Mr Thornton remembered he had left on the desk in his private room at the bank. Ab there was no getting on without the absent papers, Ridgeley offered to go and bring them. Mr Thornton appeared pleased with his promptness, and apologised with unusual civility for accepting the offer.

Lawrence at once set out on his errand. He was waiting at a crossing for a cab, when Edward Thornton accosted him, "Which way so late?"

" I am going to the bank," said Lawrence, " for a package of papers which your father wishes to consult to-night." "Ah ! that reminds me of something I I will save you the trip, with your permission, I forgot a parcel there this afternoon, which I shall need in the morning; so, if you will tell me where the papers are to be found, I will do your errand and mine at the same time." ';

" But I could bring your parcel." "You would never be able to find it, or to know it if you did ; I'm the worst possible hand at descriptions and directions. So give me the door-key, and tell me where the papers are." " They are on your father's desk," said Lawrence, handing him the key ; and just then a cab was passing, which Edward hailed and entered.

Nearly an hour would be required to go to the bank and return, and Lawrence infinitely preferred a stroll in the bright moonlight to passing the time in Mr Thornton's sombre company. All lovers are poetic. No wonder, then, that Lawrence Ridgeley walkedand dreamed away an hour before he had thought it well begun. But the striking of a clock recalled him from his reverie, and he knew it was time to return to his employer, who, he feared, had already been kept waiting. Mr Thornton met him with a lowering and sinister look, in which a tinge of disappointment was visible. "Well, have you brought the papers? You have taken your time, at least." "I have not been at the bank, sir. Edward " Mr Thornton's face was like marble.

"Edward! what of Edward?" he exclaimed, frantic with excitement. Lawrence briefly explained how it had "happened that Edward had gone to the bank in his .-.cad. Simple as was the recital, the listener seemed paralysed at it. He clutched at the nearest object for support. Then recovering himself with a desperate effort, he rushed towards the door ; but before reaching it his steps were arrested by a violent ringing of the bell. " Great God l" he cried, " it is too late!" And he sank shivering into a seat, and covered his face with his bands.

Lawrence opened the door, and a stranger presented himself. " Can I see Mr Thornton ?" he inquired. Lawrence conducted him to his employer's presence. " I bring you sad news, Mr Thornton." But the messenger might have spared himself (he trouble of telling it. None knew better than Abel Thornton that the snare which he had spread for another's lifo had proved destructive to that of his child. He had intended that Lawrence Ridgeley, entering the bank at an unseasonable hour, without knowing anyone was on watch, and consequently taking no care to announce himself, should be fired on and slain as a burglar. Everything had worked as lie had planned • but the victim was his own son.'

Insanity is a boon when it brings forgetfulness of ills too grievous to be borne; but not such is the insanity of which now consigns Abel Thornton to a maniac's cell, Ghastly visions of his crime are ever present to haunt his waking, and still more horribly to torment his sleeping hours.