The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-15
but this young man. Where are the pa.

Receiving for areply torrent of tears
and protestations, he filings himself on
the sofa, and tries to steady lis nerves to
the consequence of this extraordinary
loss. Meanwhile, Fanny goes on and in
stitutes an unavailing search in every
box and cupboard, and drawer where it
could be possible to find such parcel,
although it would puzzle her to explain
how it could have Withdrawn itself from
the secret drawer to take refuge else
where. At last she returned to the par
lor in despair. The packet must have
been stolen. But how? When By
whom =? Getting frightened at Marks
gloomy looks, she is delighted when a
tap at the door announces visitor, and
that visitor proves TO be her father.
To him the affair is circumstantially
detailed, and Mark points out the newt
able loss of his situation and good name
ifhe should be unable to produce the
papers or give any clue which might lead
TO their recovery. 10 Fanny's dismay,
he particularly dwells upon her brothers
visit and her half mad endeavor to con-
ceal it; concluding by an entreaty tha,
she will, if retaining any affection for her
In h.nI I'll oil IL
But now the father interposes. To
tamely hear both his children accused Of
such a crime is more than his rather ir.
ascible temper could endure, and he en-
ters a counter accusation that Mark has,
for an unworthy end, removed the parcel
himself Words now become SO hot and
bitter that Fauny's distress is increased,
not lessened by this companionship, and
she weeps SO bitterly and pleads SO earn.
eslly with both, that Marx, more touch
ed than he would like TO confess. abrupt.
ly leaves TO shut himself up in his cham
Der. After some hours, the sound of his
footsteps ceaslng, the anxious wife
creeps soliy y up stairs and is relieved 10
find him lying on the bed in an uneasy
slumber Her father pursuades her TO
rest to9, but poor Fanny shakes her head
and still sits by his side, lsanins her head
on his shoulder, aud feeling more forlorh
and miserable than it had ever been her
lot to feel before, What will poor Mark
do? And what will become of her if he
persists in believing her guilty ?
Equally bewidered and almost as un.
happy as his daughter, Mr.. Roberts tries
to soothe her with promises 10 seek
George and bring him to oxcul pate him
self, and 10 forgive Mark 5 hasty speec h :
cs, and assist him in investigating this
mysterious affair. So, al last, Fanny be.
gan 10 feel more comforted, and 10 wish
her father to leave her but, tired as he
contesses himself, he cannot quiet her in
such trouble, aud they continue TO occu-
py The same position by The fire ill mig hit
has long given place TO morning, and
Mr.. Roberts eyes close involuntarily.
a fools,ep overhead startles them.
1t is only Mark, says Fanny. after
moments listening. " Foor fellow,
wish he had slept longer
In the modern six -roomed house eve.
ry sound is distinctly audible, and they
hear him enter the chamber where stands
the shattered escritoire. After short
pause he is heard slowly descending the
stairs, and his wife raises herself from
her reclining position, and smooths her
disordered hair.
AS he enters the room. Mr.. Roberts
lays his hand on his daug hter's arm.
Look, child look !" he whispers and
Fanny with astonishment sees that her
husband is fast asleep, and holds in one
hand the bundle Of old love letters.
Setting down his caudle, Mark unlocks
the front OF his large and well filled book
case. and begins deliberately taking
down one by one, the handsomely bound
volumes of the History of England.
which grace the highes shelf then he
draws out number of loose magazines.
hidden there because Of their unlidy ap.
pearance, lays the old love letters quite
at the end OF them all, replaces The odd
numbers. returns The volumes 10 their
shelf. carefully putting them even, locks
the glass doors. and is stalking away.
ghen Fanny. with cry which awakens
him. snalches the key from his hand
atubbips his eyes. and wondering. he
sees her eager fingers dragging Hume
and Smolleu from their proud position 10
assume an ius!orous ono on the hearth
rug aud iu the lepder the once treasur
ed Belle assemble are scattered in all di.
rectlons tho highly priced lole letters
receive similar usage and there from
behind all the rest. Fanny triumphan,ly