Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-06-20

one as it usually Isl? Fanny's spirits seem de-
pressed, and her eyes look as if they had been
clouded with tearo.
Have you had any visitors to.day?" her
husband careessly inquiries as he sips his tea.
The hestating No" is so family proneun,
ced that the young man, hitherto pre-oceupied
with business. looks up.
That No sounded like 'Yesp Who
has been here?"
"Only my brother George" Fanny an
swers in q low voice, and Marx, trowning,
turns away and takes up q book
/" My brother George" is his arcrsion, and
the torment and trouble of his wife's family;
always in difficulties, no sooner rescued from
one scrape than rushing headong into anoth
er; sometime invisible for months, and sudden
ly reappearing to levy contributions on any rel
atves able or willing to assist him. Mark has
seriously contem plated forbidding his visits;
but then Fanny is so tcnder-hearted, and cher
iShes such q kindly belief in the prodigaS ul-
timaie reformation that her husband has not
yet mustered sufficient frmness to enfQce his
wishes, although he knows where his wife'S
brooch went, and why she wears that old vel
vet bonnet. Fanny seems TO guess what is
passing in hi5 mind, by her coming so softly to
his side, and strokng his hair, and pressing
her lips to bis forehead, but neither of them
say anything, and Mark leisureIy prepares for
his task of copying, While he has gone up
stairs to fetch his papers, she lights an extra
candle, and enscOnceS herself in u corner with
her work stable, regIetting as she does so that
her "poor boy must be bored with this odi-
Gus writing when he ought to be resting. How
ever, Mark soon comes down tie stairs, three
at time. to ask, rather angrily, why she has
moved his packet, without mentioningit With
astoujshmeut in her looks, his wife denies hav-
ing done SO, and hurries with him to the spare
bedroom, asserting her belief that he has over
locked the parcel. Not thing is cut of its
place. The old eScritiore stands exactly as
they left it, the lock had not been tampered
with nor was the secret drawer open; and there
undiSturbed lie the love-letters but the small
brown paper parcel, tied with pink tape, and
sealed with the Office seal, is gone"
The husband. suspectng he knows not what,
looks almost sterny at his wife, whose answer
iUg glance is confused and full of terror
q Tell me the truth, Fanny, my dear Fanny!
Are you playing trick 10 tease me? Remem-
Der, if | cannot produce these papers, | am
ruined man. ItwouId be worse than the loss Of
money; that might replace, these | cannot
Tell me at once where they are
Indeed, Mark, | know no more about them
than you do yourself They must be here?
perhaps they have slipped behind the draw
er?7
Although next to impossible, the chance is
not overlooked. Hammer and chiSe are soon
fetched, and the back Of the escri;iore is Soou
knocked out, leaving no nook or Granny where
the smallest paper could remain unpcrceived
Almost beside himself, Mark leads his wife
down stairs, and commences questioning her.
Where is her key? On the ring; it has not
been out Of her possession. Has she been out?
No. is she sure Of that. Quite; besides, as
She ventures to remind hiU', the locks have not
been forced, nor is aUght else missing, as would
have been the case if thieves had entered the
house. In uncomfortable agitation, the be-
wiidcrcd man PAGES the room, while Fanny,
unable TO profer advice, or assist him with
any reasonable conjecture, watches him in
trembling silence.
Suspicious are crowdinG upon his mind
hints given before bis marriage about Fanny
Roberts brother, and regrets uttered, even
within his bearing, that respectable Young
man like Mr. Edwards, should lower himself
by such a connection are suddenly remember
wife and steruly demands what errand had
brought that brother of hers TO his house
That brother of hers! What a speech! All
Fanny sisterIy feelings are in arms and yet
she faIterS, for she is forced to own that it
was for the want of money. And you told
him that | had those papers in the house"
Mark cries, accusngly. With crimson face,
she angrily denies it. She did not men
tion Marks affairs during their short inter
view. Is it likely she would do so? Or if
she did, would George poor foolish fellow that
he is, steal up stairs and rob his sisters home!
Ridiculous Impossible!
Impossibe!" Mark retorts, without he
possesses the key"
1T has lot been out OF my pocket" sobs
Fanny
Then where" asks Mark, care the mis-
sing papers ?" Their little servant-maid away
for a holiday y-no one in the house, according
to Fannv'S own confession, GnC this young
man. Where are the papers?
Receiving for reply torrent Of tears and
proteStatons he filings himself on the sofa, and
tries to steady his nerves TO the consequences
of this extraordinary loss Meanwhile, Fanny
goes and institutes an unavailing search in
every box, and cupboard, and drawer where
it could ne possible to find such parcel al
though it would puzzel her to explain how it
could have withdrawn itself from the secret
drawer 20 take refuge elsewhere. At last she
returns to the parlor in dispare. The packet
must have been stolen But how When?
BY whom Getting frightened at Marks
gloomy looks, she is delighted when tap at
the door announces visitor, and that visitor
proved to be her father.
To him the affair is crcumstantially detailed,
and Mark points ont the inevitable loss OF his
situation and good name if he should be unable