St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-01-13

started when the door opened and
} closed behind him, but came forward
with Frightening face when he saw
, who had come.
" Has everything gone as we said,
5 Hugh Z" asked Alice, laying her white
hand on his, and looking full into his
eyes.
I" Yes, everything" he. said, holding
=. the hand in his. But, Alice, this
| goes farther than thought | am al
most sorry now, that we tried it,
" Are You afraid p she said, flash
, ing look into his eyes that made
him banch. "Thcn you are not the
man | have loved, and l throw you
out of my heart with contempt. Not
strong and determined enough to go
through this, and for me? You must
: think little of the stake if you will
risk so little to win it." She looked
so beautiful in her scorn, that the
young man gazcd on her moment
without speaking.
" would risk almost anything for
you, Alice" he said at length, knecl-
ing admiringly at her feet. IF |
was sure now that you loved me as |
do you, would brave disgrace or
death ITSELF
"That love you as You me-" she
repeated slowly, putting back the hair
from his forehead. Hugh, what a
donhter you are. So you doubt it
now? ?" she said, throwing her arm
round him, and pressing her lips to
his, land now, Hugh ?" clasping him
in both arms as he rose.
"Ah, Alice, | will do anything you
wish,' exclaimed the young man.
holding her closely to him as he spoke.
" Now are you satisfied, doubtcr 2"
said Alice, softly. There, some one
comes Let me so quickly, and re-
member to be strong if you wish my
love- The door closed behind her,
and Hugh stood in his former position
by the fire, when Louis entered. 1t
was well for Alicc's plans that she
had been with him first. Without
much moral courage, and already half
rcpcnting the course he had pursued,
he would have been powerlcss before
Louis sharp questioning. But now
encouraged and fired by Alicc's en-
brace, and his infatuated affection for
her, he passed the ordeal SO well, that
the hope Louis had formed died within
him. 1t was not possible that his old
playmate, and the boy his father had
beiricndcd could deceive him SO, or
consent to any conspiracy to injure
one of the family Miserable as pos
sihln Louis waitnd Co.. " summons E"
his fathers room. He could not think
Helen capable of any unworthy action,
and he was inpatient for the cXplana-
tion that he had no donbt she could
give, but still he trcmblcd before the
possibility Of what might come.
When Helen entered Mr.. Wcthcr-
ellis room, he was sitting by the table
i'll its center, With his head resting on
both hands, a glass of water near him,
and his ncck-cloth looscncd as though
he had been choking or faint. She
had only a moment to see this, for he
raised his head at the closing of the
door, and she was startled at the
/ change that had come over him in so
short a time. His face, his very lips
were pale, his eyes seemed to have
sunk into his head, and there was a
tremulouS sternness III his voice, as
he told her to come near him and an
swer his questions, so unlike its usual
tone, that she obeycd in silence, awcd
by such a manifestation of sorrow.
lie motioncd her to take seat be-
fore him, and when she was seated,
he looked steadily into her face mo-
mcnt, as if he would read the truth
there, which he shrunk from search
ing out by suspicious questions.
You are aware why sent for you
to come here, Helen ?" he asked at
length. She bowed silently, her face
becoming still palcr.
You are placed under most sus-
picious circumstances, which have
| no doubt you can explain clearly, Hell
en- he said, calmly. There has
been stolen money traced to your
desk, which was searched, not that we
dreamed of finding anything there,
/ but because would not exempt my
niece and you when the servants
rooms were searched. There is no
doubt about the money, for know
some of it myself the key with
which the Office has been entered is
found in the garden your own belt
picked up ut the Office door, and finally
the disguise in which you went and
returned last night when we overlook
you, found in your wardrobe. This
/ makes strong circumStantial evidence
of guilt, Helen, but had such conf
dcncc in you that think, even now,
that you can explain it to our salts
faction. Will you tell me now how
you obtained the money
That calm, deliberate tone was more
terrible to Helen than any invcctive,
or passionate appeal could have been.
1t seemed to place her at such an i'm
measurable distance from her guardi-
an, to set him So in the light of stern
judge, that her heart sunk heavily
within her, and the words she would
have spoken, refused to obey her will
81 am waiting for your answer,
Helen |" Mr. Wetherell said, and his
voice was fcarfully low and husky,
and he leaned back in his chair as il
it were difficult for him to sit up.
" have nothing to say" Helen said,
almost inaudibly.
Nothing to say will you be silent
under such an accusation as that }"
he exclaimed. Helen this will not
do. You can explain this mystery,
and you must. For what did you
want that money, and where had you
been yesterday when we over took
your"
Helen's face grew more deathly pale,
and she could not take her straining
eyes from his face, but she spoke not
word.
} Answer me l command you,
Helen !" he said, sternly. a.A
J Still she made no answer, cXccpfA
) convulsive sob. Mr. Wethercll rose