Juliet signal., 1861-05-07
THE LOST DEEDS.

a partirg glance around the office, to
assure himself all desks, closets, aud iron
safes are properly secured for the night,
and the solicitors confidential clerk locks
up and prepares fer home With coat but
toned to the threat, and hat drawn over
his eyes, Mark Edward turns his steps to-
wards home, and cheerfully faces the rough
wind and drizzlinS rain, which unmerci-
fully pelt and buffet him, as he yainly halls
omnibus after omnibus TO receive the same
answer, Full" But Mark makes no
trouble Of these outdoor inconvoniences.
for his minds eye is fixed on the we'll coy
cred tea table, bright fire, and, best of all,
the pretty young wife awaiting his return.
The picture is so pleasant, that he cheer
fully breaks forth into line of Home.
Sweet Home" as he turns the corner of
the street where stands his own trim, little
6Omicie.
Mrs Edwards is rcering in to the dark.
ness through the folds Of the muslin cur
tains, and has the door open before Marks
hand touches the knOcker.
What q night for YOU, love-" saws the
little matron, brushing the rain drops from
his bushy whiskers, ard kissing him COM
passouately; land how late you are!"
Edwards looks up at the clcck as he
struggles out of his dripping coat.
Il am late, indeed" he answers, "but
Mr.. Pieadwell has started on his trip to the
lakes this afternoon, and there were a great
many things to attend to before be went.
And look here, Fanny-this packet con
tans some valuable deeds and securities.
which will be called for by the owner in
few days; in the meanwhile have to copy
one Of them, but don't feel inclined to be-
gin t. night. Where can place them with
saiety ?"
Fauny suggests his desk, but that is the
frst article burglar would be likely to
meddle With. The wife's checks pales at
the idea Of such a visitor; and she cons6-
ere.
That old escritore in the spare bed
room, will not that DO 7"
Mark still hesitatcs.
I" hai so many iniunctinns to be care
ful, ard net let thom go out Of my own
posses sion, Il at am afraid Of ever thrt."
Fanny reminds him that there is a st cret
drawer in it
Don't you remember" she asks, '.what
trouble we had to find t?"
IIa, the very place %
So his wife carries the candle for him.
and the valuable packet is deposited in this
hid len receptacle. Its only contents are
few highly scented letters, tied together
with a piece of ribbon, which Fanny,
laughing and bushing, cOnfesses they are
Mr. Mark Edwards love effusions before
marriage, carefully preserved to bear wit
ness against him when he becomes cold and
/ cross.
| Perhaps it was restless night and un-
| pleasant dreams which made the clerk SO
uheasy-even in the hurry of the next DAVIS
! work-knowing that be bad no: visited the
! escritpre before leaving home in the morn
ing to ascertain with his own ewes the safe
ty Of the papers in his charge lie poo
pOohs the idea as it presents itself, remem
bering that one key is in his own possession
and the other on his wife's housekeepinn
bunch but it returns so often, that il i,
with feeling Of relief that he hears tn,
signal for closing, and feels he is at libert,
to return home.
How is it his welcome is not such a smil
ing one as it usually is? Fanny's spirit
( depressed, and her eyes look as if they haC
been clouded with tears.
Have you mad any visitors to dav p
her husband carlessly inquiries, as be sip.
his tea.
The besitating q" No" is so family pro,
nounced, that the young man, hitherto pre-
occupied with business, looks up.
"That No sounded like Yes Wht
has been here ?"
"Only my brother George" Fanny an.
swers, in low voice, and Mark, frowning
turns away and takes up book.
My brother George" is his arersion
and the torment and trouble of his wife
family; always in difficulties, no soone
rescued from one scrape than rushing head
long into another sometimes invisible fo
months, and suddenly reappearing to lev
contributions on any relative able or WiIlini
to assist him. Mark had seriously con
templated forbidding his visits; but thel
Fanny is so tender-hearted, and cherishe
such kindly belief In the prodigaPs ulti
9 mate reformation, that her husband ba
not yet mustered sufficient frmness TO en-
+ force his wishes, although he knows wber
his wIte's brooch went, and why she wear
that old velvet bonnet. Fanny seems I
guess what is passing in his mind. bv he
coming so softly to his side, and strokin
his halr, and pressing her lips to his fore
r head, but neither of them said ANYTHING
and Mark leisurely prepares for his task c
copying. While he has gone up stairs t
fetch his papers, she lights an extra eandl
and encoEsces herself in q corner with he
work table, regretting, as she does, tha
her poor boy must be bored with this cd
GUS writing when he ought to be resting.
However, Mark soon comes down the stair:
J three at time, to ask, rather angrily, VIII
she has removed his packet without men
| tioning it. With establishment in he
looks, his wife denies having done so, an
hurries with him to the snare hedroon, n,
serting her belief that he has overlooke
the parcel. Not thing is out Of its place
The old escritore stands exactly as they lei
1t, the lock had not been tampered with
nor was the secret drawer oven and there
f undistnrbed, lie the love letters; but tn
small brown paper parcel, tied with pin
tape. and sealed with the Office seal,
gone!
The husband, suspectipg. he knows nc