Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-06-01
-9's18 CLARKsBURG, WEDNEsDAY, JUNE ls5s.7sss

and others have offered to lend him mo-
i ney if he viii open new store. -
sza.sT That would be rather dangerous bu-i
siness for you, remarked Lyman in q
thoughtful mood.
..But he won't do it now." the old man
returned with considerable satisfaction
..This thing will shut him up
When Wilton reached his home. he
found his mother sitting in his front room.
and he at once told her all that had pas
sed. t g
She was horror struck but not for a
single instant did she entertain question
with regard to the entire innocence OF her
dear boy aas Il ae rsgE.o rslI
She was confident that all the money
she had given her son towards paying
their rent she had received from Port
land, and that she had it in her posses
sion several weeks before it was thus paid
out.
The conversation between the mother
and child was long and earnest. but they
could find no clue to the solving of the
difficulty All looked dark and gloomy.
After dinner Wilton put on his hat and
took few turns in the garden. He
seemed to be struggling with some strong
desire, and more than once he laid his
hand upon the latch ofthe gate. and then
turned and went back again. At length
he placed his hand upon his brow. and
muttered few incoherent sentences to
} himself.
When he looked up again. he was pale
and sad. but appeared no longer undeci-
ded. He opened the gate and passed out
. into the street and turning to the left he
walked away from the village.
At the distance of half mile, lie came
to a small white farm house. where lived
. Mr.. Drake one of the thriftiest farmers in
the country, and as he turned up the pink
bordered walk that led to the door, he
; was met by happy. laughing, beautiful
girl, who came running out to meet him.
"Why, what is the matter. dear Will
ton?" she exclaimed as she noticed the
! pallor that overspread his features.
Come into the house and l will tell
you.' he returned.
: Alice Drake took the young man by the
, hand and walked with him up through the
garden.
When they reached the sitting-room
Wilton Cunningham closed the door, and
then taking seat, he drew Alice to his
: side, and told her all that had transpired.
} His voice was firm. for he had schooled
/. himself for the task.
"And now, he continued, as he finish
r ed his story, Il have thought, Alice. that
, it would be better for me to tell you this.
: than to have it come from other lips, l
know not how it will turn out, but fear
that shall be unable to disprove Mr..
! Randalps charge. In all probability /
shall, this evening. be called before Squire
Bullard for examination, and tho event
cannot but cast foul stain upon my re-
putation. 1t is painful thing to be situ-
: aled thus, for others must suffer beside
myself, but you, Alice, would free
from
Wilton hesitated and wiped tear from
his eye, but he soon gained his self-pos-
session. though his voice faltered, as he
: continued ~.a
: You know our relations. dear Alice.
but if this stain falls upon me must re-
lease you from your VOWS. One so pure
| rs you, should not be united with man
upon whose name even a suspicion of crime
can fasten itself. 1t is like taking life it.
l self, thus to"
"Hold, Wilton" uttered the fair girl,
who had managed thus far TO keep
!. back her tears. care you guilty of this
thing?"
5 cit is cruel to ask me. that Alice"
= ''I ask it, nevertheless"
Gas there is a God who hears me now,
the thought even of such a crime never
entered my mind. The person does not
live who can say with truth that l ever
wronged him or her."
Il believe you." returned Alice, laying
E her hand upon Willon's shoulder. and ga
zing affectionately into his face. al know
you, and knowing you as do. l shall ne
yer forsake you. When promised to be
yours for life, did it upon mature deli
beration, nor did 1 mean that the first
time the cold breath of SANDER or suspi-
cion fell upon you. that l should throw
you off,
, :. Noble, generous girl.'', murmured
Wilton, as he wound his arm about her,
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 1 be of the sacred
. office of wife. But tell me, have you no
suspicious? You say that for some time
various sums of money have been taken
from Randall's drawer
Eyes. dearest: for over year there
: have frequently been discrepancies be-
tween our cash record and the amount in
the drawer. but in many cases it has been
, the result of Mr.. Randall's own careless
t ness in taking money during the day for
, small purchases without giving minute
! of it, but in some instances know that
the money has been stolen.''