The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-02-26

had passed. She was horror struck,
but not n single instant did she enter
tain question with which she had re-
ceiyed from Portland, and ,ba, she had
had il in her possession for several
weeks before il was thus paid out.
The conversation between the moth
er and son was long and earnest. but
they could find no clue to the solving Of
the difficulty. All looked dark and
gloomy.
Aher dinner, Wilton pu, on his ha,
and took few turns in the garden. lie
seemed 10 be struggling with strong de-
sire, and more than once he laid his
hand upon the latch Of the gate, and
then turned and wen, back again. AT
length he placed his hand upon his brow,
and mutiercd few incoherent senten-
ces to himself When he looked up
again, he was pale and sad, but appear
ed no longer undecided. lie opened the
gate and out into the street, and turn
ing to the left, he walked away from the
village.
AT the distance Of half mile, he
came to small white farm house, where
lived Mr. Drake, one of the tbrifiiest
farmers in the town; and as he turned
up the -bordered walk that led to
the door, he was met by happy, laugh
ing, beautiful girl, who came running
out TO meet him.
"Wby, what is the matter, dear Will
ton p she exclaimed, as she noticed the
pallor that oversprcad his features.
"Come into the house and l viii tell
YOU" he exclaimed.
Alice Drake took the young man by
the hand and walked him up through
the garden. When they reach 81 the
sitting room Wilton Cunningha. aosed
the door, and told her all tina, ha ans
pired. His voice was firm, for arc had
schooled himself to the task.
"And now" he continued, as he fin.
ished his story, 81 have thought, Alice,
that il would be better for me to tell you
this than to have II come to you from
other lips. ] know not how il will turn
out, but fear that ! shall be unable to
disprove Mr. Randall's charge. In all
probability ! shall this evening be called
before Squire Bullard for examination,
and the event cannot but cast foul stain
upon my reputation. 1t is a painful
thing to be situate thus, for others must
suffer besides myself; but you, dear
Alice, would free from the -"
Wilton hesitated and wiped tear
form his eye, but he soon gained his
self-possession, though his voice falter-
ed as he continued:
"You know our relations, dear Alice,
but il this stain falls upon me, must
release you from your VOWS. One so
pure as you should not be united with
a man upon whose name even suspi-
cion of crime can fasten itself. 1t is
like taking my life itself thus to-"
Hold Wilton" uttered the fair girl,
who had managed thus far to keep back
her tears )" Are you guilty fthis thing ?
at is cruel to ask me that, Alice"
IL ask it,. nevertheless"
"As there is God who hears me
now, the thought, even Of such crime
never entered my mind. The person
does not live that can say with truth
that ! ever wronged him or her."
"I believe you" returned Alice, lay
ing her hand upon Wilton's shoulder
and gazing affectionately into his face.
II know you, and knowing you as do,
shall never forsake you. When !
promised to be yours for life, did 1t
upon mature deliberation, nor did ]
mean that the first time the cold breath
Of SANDER or suspicion fell upon you
that ! should throw you off,"
"Noble, generous girl murmered
Wilton, as he wound his arm about b er,
"this takes away half the sting but you
must remember well what you do"
81 know what ! would do, Wilton
All If / could forsake you in your
trouble, how unworthy should be Of
the sacred Office Of wife But tell me,
have you no suspicious You say that
for some time various small sums Of
money have been taken from Mr. Ran .
dall's drawer"
Yes, dearest! For over. a year there
have frequently been discrepancies be.
tween our cash record and the amount
in the drawer, but, in many cases, Il
has been the result OF Mr. Randall's
own carclessness in taking money du.
ring the day for small purchases, with.
out giving a minute Of il but in somt
instances, know that money has been
siolen.r
" And have you no suspicious Of wbs
took IL! asked Alice, with much ear.
D ucsthtre-
4" i do not know who took il, and 4
would he ungcnerous 10 tell Of mere
suspicious"
Well, ! have my suspicions,' said
Alice - ! was in the store after yos
wen, away TO supper last "Wednesday
evening, and ! waited some time for yoc
~ come back but ! got tired, and u
came away without seeing you"
"well," uttered the young man, Ia
almost breaihlsss anxiety, did you se'
anything out of the wayr z
MOI that | know Of; bot, while
was there, SAW Mr. Randall 60 awaJ
from the dosk where you write and he
pot some heavy pieoes of silver into ,h'
money drawer, and ~hcn be went OH
a 4