Litchfield enquirer., 1861-05-30
1ftisfellonp.
THE LOST DEEDS.

A parting glance around the office, to assure himself that all desks, closets and iron safes are properly secured for the light and the solicitors confidential clerk locks up, and prepares for home. With coat buttoned to the throat, and hat drawn over his eyes. Mark Edwards turns his steps towards home and cheerfully faces the rough wind and drzzing rain. which unm rcifu- ly pelt and buffet him as he vuinly halls omnibus after omnibus to receive the same nnswer- " Full" But Mark makes no trouble of these out of door inconveniences, for his minds eye is 6xed on the well covered tea table, bright fire, and best of all, the pretty young wife awaiting his return. The picture is so pleasant, that he cheerfully breaks forth into line of Home, sweet home,' as he turns the corner of the street where stands his own trim little domice. 1 Mrs. Edwards is peering into the darkness through the folds of the muslin curtains, and has the door open before Marks hand touches the knocker.
 "What a night for you, love P says the little matren, brushing the rain drops from his bushy whiskers, and kissing him passionately, "and now late you are!"
 | Edwards looks up at the clock as he struggles out of his dripping coat. "I am late, indeed" he answers "but Mir. Pleadwel has started on his trip to the lakes this afternoon, and there were great many things to attend to before he went. And look here, Fanny, this packet con- | tains some valuable deeds and secureties, which will be called for by the owner in a few days in the meanwhile have to copy one of them, but don't feel inclined to begin tonight. Where can place them with safety?"
 Fanny suggests his desk, but that is the first article burguar would be likely tomedde with The wife's cheek pales at the idea of such wis
 tor, and she considers. "That old escrtorie in the spare bed room, will not that do?"
 Mark still hesltates "I had SO many injunc tioas to be careful, and not let them go out o my own possession, that am afraid of ever that"
 Fanny reminds him that there is secret draw CT in it. "Don't you remember" she asks |" what trouble we had to find it?
 Ha the very place!' So his wife carrie the candle for him, and the valuable packet i deposited in this hidden receptacle. It's onl, contents are few highly-scented letters, tied to gether with piece of rbbon-which Fanny
 laughing and blushing, confesses are Mr. Marl Edwards love effusons before marriage, careful
 ly preserved to bear witness against him whel he becomes cold and cross
 Perhaps it was restless night and unpleasan dreams, which made the clerk so uneasy-eve in the hurry of next days work-knowing tha
 be had not visited the escritoire before leaving
 home in the morning, to ascertain with his ow
 eye, the safety of the papers in his charge. H
 pooh poohs at the idea as it presents itself, re
 membering that one key is in his own possession and the other on his wife's housekeeping buncf but it returns so often, that it is with feelin
 of relief that he hears the signal for closing, an feels he is at liberty to return home.
 How is it that his welcome is not such smi . ing one as it usually is? Fannys spirits seeI
 depressed, and her eyes look as if they had bee E clouded with tears.
 r Have you had any visitors to-day !" her hu i. band carelessly inquiries as he sips bis tea. The hesitating No' is so faintly pronounce' n that the young man, hitherto pre-occupied wit n business, looks up.
 '. "That no sounds like yes! Who has bee ',dd "0nly my brother, George" Fanny answer
 Tn low voice, and Mark, drowning, turns ava * and takes up book
 be ny brother George" is his aversion, and tl
 !orment ana t1ouble of his wife's family alwaJ In .r no sooner rescued from one scrar
 than f9sning heedlong into another; sometim,
 invisloie TOT months, and suddenly reappearin to levy contributions on any relative able or vii
 lng 70 assist 1im Mark has seriously conter yS piated iofDldolng ms visits; but Fanny is { rs tender-hearted, and cherishes such k;na,n !, ,e. lief in the prodigals ultimate reformat;on th de her husband had not yet mustered sufficient fir, he ness to enforce his wishes, although he kno,
 where his wifes brooch went, and why she wea
 that old velvet bonnet. Fanny seems to gue me = what is passing in his mind, by her coming
 softly to his side, and stroking bis hair, and pre- ing her lips to his forehead. but neither of the ai- say anything and Mark leisurely prepares for - task of copying. While he has gone up sta
 to fetch his papers, she lights an extra cand - and ensconces herself in corner with her wo "a table, regretting as she does so that her pc ~ boy" must be bored with this odious writi when he ought to be resting. However, Ma
 soon came down the stairs, three steps at a tin