Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-06-19
EBENSBIRG. PA. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 1861

swered IN low voice, and Mark, froTning,
turns away and picks up book.
My brother George" is his acersion, and
the torment and trouble of his wife's family !;
always in difficulties, no sooner rescued from
one scrape, than rushing headlong into an
other; sometimes invisible foc months, and
suddenly re-appearing to levy contributions
on any relative able or willing to assist him.
Mark has seriously contemplated forbidding
his visits; but then Fanny is so tender-heart-
ed, and cherishes such kindly belief in the
prodigars ultimate reformation, that her hus-
band has not yet mustered sufficient frmness
to enforce his wishes, although he knows
where his wife's brooch went, and why she
wears that old velvet bonnet. Fanny seems
to guess what is passing in his mind, by her
coming softly to his side. and stroking his
hair, aud pressing her lips to his forehead,
but neither of them say anything, and Mark
leisurely prepares for his task of copying.
While he has gone up stairs to fetch his pa
pers, she lights an extra candle, and ensconces
herself in corner with her workable,
must be bored with this odious writing when
he ought to be resting. However. Mark soon
comes down the stairs, three steps at time,
to ask, rather angrily, why she has moved bis
packet without mentioning it. With aston
ishment in her looks, his wife denies having
done so, and hurries with him to the spare
bedroom, asserting her belief that he has
overlooked the parcel. Not thing is out OF
its place. The old escroitre stands as they
left it, the lock had not been tampercd with,
nor was the secret drawer open and there,
uudisturbed, lie the love letters; but the small
brown paper parcel, tied with pink tape, AMI
sealed with the official seal, is gore
The husband, s1spectiDg be knows not
what. looks almost sternly at his wife, whose
answering glance is confused and full of ter
ror.
- Tell me the truth, Fanny. my dear Fan
ny. Are you playing trick to tease me
Remember, if cannot produce those papers,
l am a ruined mau . 1t would be worse than
the loss of money; that l might replace, but
those I can not, 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
drawer"
Although next to impossible, the chance Is
not overlooked Ha INNER and chisel is soon
fetched, and the back of the escroitre is
whsre the smallest paper could remain uDper-
ceived.
Almost beside himself, Mark leads his wife
down stairs, and commences questioning her.
Where is the key? On the ring; it has not
been out of her possession. Has she been
out No. Is she quite sure of that? Quite
besides, as she ventures to remind him, 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 bewildered young man PAGES
the room, while Fanny, unable to profer ad-
vice, or any reasonable conjecture, watches
him in trembling silence.
Suspicious crowd in upon his mind hints
given before his marriage about Fanny Rob
ert's brother, and regrets uttered, even with
in his hearing, that respectable young man
like Mr.. Edwards should lower himself BY
such connection, are suddenly remembered
and dwelt upon. He pauses before his wife.
and sternly demands what errand had brought
that brother of hers to his house. That bro
ther of hers What speech All Fanny's
sisterly feelings are in arms, and she falters,
| for she is forced to own that it was the want
! of money. ''And you told him that L had
these papers in the house." Mark cries accus,
ingly. With a crimson face, she augrily de-
nies it. She did not mention Marks affair.
during their short interview. As if likely
she would Go so Or if she did, would George
poor foolish fellow that he is, steal up stairs
and rob his sisters home Impossible!
Impossible" Mark retorts, g without h
possessed the key"
..It has not been out of my pocket" sob
Fanny.
"Then where" asks Mark, &c are the miss
ing papers2" Their little servant maid ava
for holiday-no one N the house, accordin
to Fanny's own confession, but this youn
man. Where are the papers?
Receiving for reply torrent of tears an
protestatioas, be fings himself on the sofa
and tries to steady his nerves to the eonse
auences of this extraordinary loss. Mear
) while, Fanny goes and institutes an unavai
ing search in every box and cupboard an
: drawer where it could be possible to find sue
I l.Lo,ob - ,roul3 nuzzla her 70 o,