The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-15
THE LOST DEEDS.

A parting glance around the Office, to
assure himself all deeds, closets an iron
sales are properly secured for the night,
and the SOLICITORS confidential clerk locks
up and prepares for home. With coat
butloned to the throat, and hat drawn
over his eyes, Mark Edwards turned his
steps towards home, and cheerfulIy faces
the rough wind anI drlzzling rain
which numerically pelt and buffet him,
as he vainly halls omnibu: after omnibus
TO receive the same answer, Full" -
But Mark makes no trouble Of these out
door inconveniences, for his minds eve
is fixed on the we'll covered table, bright
fire, and best OF all, the pretty young wife
awaiting his return. The picture is so
pleasant, that he cheeriully breaks forth
into line OF Home, Sweet Home" as
he turns the corner OF the street where
stands his own trim, litlle domcile.
Ms Edwards is peerin. into the dark,
ness through the folds of the muslin cur
ta!ns, and has the door open before Mark 5
hand touches the knocker.
" What night for You, love-" SAID
the lilIle malron brushing the rain drops
from his bushy wli,kers, and kissing him
compassionatcly. land how la;e you
arc :"
l. lwarls looks up at The clock as he
struggles out OF his dripping coat.
Il am late, indeed" he answers. "bul
Mr.. Pleadwell has started on his trip to
the lakes This afternoon, and there were
great many things 10 attend TO before
he Went. And look here, Fanny-,hi,
packet contains some valuable deeds and
securities, which will be called for by the
owner in lew days; in the meanwhile
have to copy them, but didn't feel in
clined 10 begin tonight. Where can
place them with safety %
Fanny suggests his desk, but that is
the first article burglar would be likely
10 mcddle with. The wife's cheek pale.
at the idea of such visitor, and she
considers.
That old escriloire in the spare bed.
room, will not that do ."
Mark still hesitates
Il had So many injunciions TO be care
ful, and not let them so out of my own
possession, that am afraid Of even that"
Fanny reminds him that there is a Sc.
cret drawer in it.
Don't You remember" she asks,
what trouble we had to find il ?"
Ha, the very place !"
SO his wife carries the candle for him,
and The valuable packe, is deposited in
hidden receptacle. Its only contents are
few highly scented letters tied together
with n piece Of ribbon, which Fanny
laughing and blushing, coniesses are Mr.
Mark Edwards love etfusions, before
marriage, carefully preserved to bear
witness against him when he becomes
cold and cross.
Perhaps it was restless night and
unpleasant dreams which made the clerk
SO uneasy--.esen in the hurry of the ne xt
days work-knoWing that he had not
visited the escritoire before leaving home
in the morning to ascertain with his own
eyes The safety ofthe papers 10 his charge.
lie soon poohs the idea, as it presents
itself, remembering that one key is In
his own possession aud the other il his
wiie's housekeeping bunch but it re-
turns So often, that it is with feeling oI
relief that he hears the signal for closin.
and feels he js Ut liberty 10 return home
How is 1t his welcome is not such a
smiling one as II usually is? Fanny's
spirits are depressed. and her eyes looked
as if they had been clouded with tears.
Have you had any visitors TO day -
her husband carclessly inquiries, as he
sips his tea.
The hesitating No." is so family
pronoaaced. that the young man, hith.
erto Pre-occupied with business. looks
up.
THAT No. sounded like yes. Who
has been here %