The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-03-28

20, from Carleton. II. is Il reliable tel. |
low. Have you any doubts about thu bill 2"l
s"No,if you are sure you had it OF Garlic
ton."
y Xou cnuld swear to it rs the identical
bank.no,e Z" Captain Wilkins glanced at
tho paper again.
tits- the identical rag" said lie can
take my oath Of it'' /
This startling revelation gave different
phase TO the business. The finger Of dis
covery seemed to point directly at the SEN
Tor clerk. Again the Agent, on leaving
Wilkins, recalled Carleton's every look and
word, in the conversation he had with him
that morning. He could not recall tn.
faintcst Indication Of guilt. And he could
not bu: hope that tho young man was rs
innocent as he appeared and that crcum-
stances would prove him so. However,
there was no way left but to follow the
thread Of evidence ho had SO fur success
fully traced.
lie strolled towards the post.ofiice, and
found Howard there alone.
"Whcre is your brother clerk :" he asked.
"Hc We: to dinner about FIVE minutes
ago-rather earlier than usual"
avery we'll perhaps you can do my
business for me. Imailed letter here this
morning, which l would like to recover
from the mails, If it has not already gone
out" A description Of the letter was Civ
en-. All this was done to prevent Howard
from suspecting tho Agents real business
with Carleton. Tho letter had gone, as the
inquirer we'll knew, and he left the Office.
: But now his pace was quickened. H.
4. Ill &c l.,
interview with Carleton. 1t was signifi-
. cant fact that he had gone to dinner at an
earlier hour than usual. If guilty, what
moro natural than that l,c should take tla,
opportunity Of destroying any evidence Of
his guilt to be founs among his papers at
hnlnui
The Agent had already learned where
Carleton lived, and he fastened ut once to
bis house. The young mans mother re-
ceived him in truly ladyliLc aud hospita-
bic manner.
'He Just came in" said she graciously.
"Sit down, I will have him called. He re-
marked that he had some triHmg affair to
attend to before dinner, and Immediately
went to his chamber. You may speak to
him, Sarah"
II have only word to say to him." re-
piled tho visitor Perhaps it will be as
we'd for mo to 60 to his room, instead OF
calling him down."
"Aa you please Ny daughter will show
you tho way"
Sarah, beautiful and stately girl Of
eighteen, conducted the caller to her bro
paeness oyerspread his features On fecoenT oa1T
z'ng tbs Agent, but without losing his self
possession, he invited him to enter the
chamber.
u have strange feelings on seeing you'll"
lie observed in very natural tone Of voice.
hat yon said to me about Howard, has
troubled me more than I would have
: thought it possible. Take seat Do you
smoker"
:, "Not before dinner" replied the Agent.
Ssite made rapid observation of tho cham
oer, Rs he sat down. "You are very com.
fortahIy situated here"
Il have nothing to complain of. We
, live rather humbly, but VIC are not ambi-
: tious."
= Carleton then spoke Of his mother and
sister, i'll R manner which touched his visi-
tor deeply. Could it be possible, though,
tho latter, that he was destined to DESTROY
the peace of the happy famiya He shrank
} with 'ndescribable repugnance from the per-
tormance of his duty but it inexorably
urged him to finish what he had begun, and
be produced the fatal bank note.
"Not to detain you," said he, II have
some question in my mind with regard to a
bill took this forenoon. have been re-
{ fsrred fs to you as the person who passed it.
VIII you SEQ if you recognize it,"
:, Again the swift pallor swept over Carle.
tons face; but this time it WAS more mark
ed than before. and his fingers trembled as
he examined the bill.
certainly" said be, Il recognized it. It's
note changed with Captain Wilkins
last night,
ut also happens," Observed the Agent,
no be 3 note. which, according to an aceu-
rate dess,sption have of it, was recently
: lost IN: the Southern mails This is as pain |
tol TO me, Mr. Carleton, as it is unexpected
and hope you will be able satisfactorily to
'~account for the manner in which YOU Oh. !
taipedthiss money!
!. Aslt il still more painful to me than it can |
'she tosyou," !" replied Carleton; 9and heaven
: Knows ! heartily wish / could not tell how
s5fbat bill came into my possession. I re-
tnembsfed L, after you left me this morning
Sand i bad apresentiiuent that trouble would
e Gene out Of it. Lam afraid, sir" Carleton
added, after some hesitstion-.I am afraid
your ssuspisions of Howard will prove too
well n ~ .ssiy.s -. 8 isS.s-T",1