The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-06-22

beautiful girl who came down the walk 10
meet him. -l /,
"Why, what is the matter dear WIlionl''
she exclaimed, as she noticed the pallor
that overspread his features. ~
"Come into the house and | will tell
you," he exclaimed. ae
Alice Drake took the young man by
the hand and walked with him up through
the garden. When they reached the sit.
ling room Wilton Cunningham closed the
door and told her all lha,transpired. His
voice was firm for he had schooled him
self 10 The task.
"And now," he continued, as he finish.
ed his story, 81 have thought, Alice, i,
would be better for me 10 tell you this,
than 10 have it come from other lips. |
know not how il will turn out, but fear
shall be unable 10 disprove Mr.. Randall's
charge. In all probability lshaII be called
before 'Svuire Dullard for examination,
and The event cannot but cast foul stain
upon my reputation. Ilis painful thing
10 be situated thus, for others must suffer
besides myself; but you, dear Alice, !
would free from lhe-"
Wilton hestaled and wiped tear from
his eye, but he soon gained his seIfpos.
session, though his voice fallered as he
continued:
"You know your relations, dear Alice,
: but if this stain falls upon me, must re.
lease you from your vows. One so pure
as you should not unite with a man upon
whose name even suspicion of crime can
faslen itself. 1t is like taking my life itself
Z thus to-"
"HOld, WilIon," uttered the fair gill,
q who had managed Ihus far 10 keep back
e her tears. "Are you guilty of this thing"
= "lt is cruel to ask me that, Alice"
n "l ask it nevertheless"
1t "As there is a God who hears me now
n the thought, even, OF such crime meyer
d entered my mind. The person does moi
IS live who can say with truth that ] evel
e wronged him or her."
ri al believe you" returned Alice, laying
her hand upon WlIon's shoulder and ga
ID zing aGectonaiely into his face. 81 know
ID you, andknowing you as do, l shall new
er forsake you. When I promised to b,
Al yours for life, did it upon mature deib
I. Grafton, nor did | mean that the first time III,
cold breath Of SANDER and suspicion fest
7 upon you, should throw you off"
lie "Noble generous girl" murmured VIII
n toa, as he wound his arm about her, "ihi
takes away half the sling; but you mus
ed remembr well what you DO" .
We 81 know what | would do, Wilton. All
if could forsake youein your trouble
To- how unworthy should be of the sacre
Office of wife! But tell me, have you n
alf suspicious! You say that for some tim
various small sums Of money have bee
'p' taken from Mr.. Randal's drawer.
", "Yes dearest! For over year ther
to have been Frequently discrepancies betwee
our cash record and the amount in III
ms drawer, but in many cases it has been til
m result of Mr.. Randal's own rsrelessnsss
all taking money during the day for small pu
ng chases. without giving minute of it; b
in some cases, know that the money b;
llh been stolen"
zee "And have .you no suspicion OF wh
took il" asked Alice, with great earnes
ps ness.
I'd. al do not know who took it, and
III, would be dngenerous 10 tell Of mere susF
ri. cions."
rat "Well, | lave my suspicious" said
- ice. al was in The store after you went
ra' supper last Wednesday evening, and
si. waited some time for you 10 come bat
at but got tired SO came away without Sc
ing YOU"
sd "Well," uttered the young man, Id {
got most breathless anxiety, "did you see al
he thing out Of the way"
me "Noi that know of; hid, while | VI
l." there, saw Mr.. Randell go away fro
for the desk where you write, and put son
heavy pieces oil silver into the money dfa'
9 er and when he went out Of the store, we
too, for did not like to remain after
Ter, had gone" .....
"rhat was probably The tioney
he marked and i, was after be had gone Il
rad the money was taken, for when the dra
d er was taken out Of the safe mex, morni
he says it was gone; and il, was of th
too, That | paid Mr.. Wiley"
For some Ii;::s Alice Drake sat id de
thought Iler fingers ends we're plac
mes upon het brow, and wcighly ideas seem
to revolving in her mind. She at length ra
'ers ed her head, and in a hopeful tone, s
he said: ..
"You have marry friends, Wilton, a
uls some who may help you in this emerg,
n a cy. will myself seek them. All! til,
gncs 'Sqire Dullard now You had bet
nan return 10 your own cottage. And trust
- woman's wit may be match for tn
all"
he But cannot consent TO This, Alice; Il
ON, you should"
'ed. LET me have my way This Time" int
lgle ruped Alice, "and assure you, you 81
that moi often find me so stubborn. The mer
sral accident iu the world may turn The curr
Of affairs. ....
her "Wcll, be ii as you like" returned "
hey ton, as he arose from his seat; "lhougl
the will be 4 lucky accident that settles This
ny. my favor, although God knows it wo
aud most just one"
EN-. Shortly afterwards young Cunniugh
ire, Kissed Alice, and then turned his steps
pom wards his home. lie had been in
ack house but short time before he saw Al
riding by in his fathers wagon. lie |
his uot yet dared 10 tell his mother lha,