The Placer herald., 1862-09-06

am ruined man! 1t would be worse Il an
the loss of money; that | might replace;
this | 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
drawer Although this is neat to impossi
ble the chance is no: oyerlco,led Hammer
and chsel are soon fetched, and the bac!; Of
the escritoire is soon anocked out, leaving no
nook or Granny where the smallest paper
could reman unperceived.
Almost beside himself. Mark leads his
wife down stairs, and commences question
ing her. Where ie the keys? On the ring
1t has no, been ont of her possession. Has
she been out? No. Is she quite sure Of
thata Quite Besides as she ventures to
remind him, tbs locks have not been forced
nor is ought else missing, as would have
been the case if thieves had entered the
house. In uncomfortable agitation, the
bewidered young man PAGES the room,
while Fanny, unable to proffer advice, or
assist him in any reasonable conf lecture,
watches him in trembling silence.
Susprons are crowding npon his mind
hints given before his marriage about Fan
ny r 'hers' brother, and regrets uttered.
even within his hearing. that a respectable
young man like Mr. Edwards should lower
himself 10y such - connection, are suddenly
remembered and dwelt upon.
lie panses before bis wife and sternly de-
mands what errand had brought that broth.
er of hers to the house? That brother of
Lar>f What c,Noo,,bt II E,Dp,,'s ok rl,,
feelings are in arms, and yet she fa,ers, for
she is forced to own that it was the want of
money. "And you told him that had these
papers in the house." Mark cries accusingly
With crimson face she angrilv denies it,.
She did not mention Marks affairs during
their sh"r, interview. Is it likely she would
do so! Or if she did. would George. poor
foolish fellow that he is, steal up stairs and
RIB his sisters homes! Ridiculous. lmpos
sibl-!
"ImpossibIe," Mark retorts, "wi,hout he
possessed the kew"
ut has not been out Of my pocket sobs
Fanny.
Then where" asks Mark, "are the miss.
ing papers," Their little servant maid away
tor hoIiday-no one in the house, accord
ing to Faany's own confession but this yonng
man. Where are the pspers?'
Receiving for u rep y = torrent of tears
and protes,alions, 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 un
avalilng search in every box and cupboard
and drawer where it could he possible to find
a parcel, although it would puzzle her to ex'
plain how it could have withdrawn itself
from the secret drawer to take refuge else
where. At last she returns to the parIor in
despair. The packet must have been stolen
But how? When? BY whom9 Getting
frightened at Marks gloomy look, she is de
lighted when tap at the door announces a
visitor, and that visitor proves to be her
father.
To him the affair is circums'antalv de
tailed, and Mark points out the inevitable
loss OF his situation and good name if he
should be able to procure the papers or give
any clue which might lead to their recovery.
10 tanny's dismay, he particularly dwelt up
on her brothers visit, and her half made Ell
deavor to conceal it; concluding by an en-
treaty that she will. if attaining sny affec
| tioh IOi uci iusOdIl, tell All 6Io kUOWb.
But now the father inierposes. To tamey
hear both of his children accused of such a
crime is more than his rather irritable TEN,
per will endure, and he enters a counter &C
cu>ation that Mark has, for some unworthy
end, removed the parcel himself Words
now become SO bitter that Fanny's distress
is increased, not iessened, by this champion
ship, and she weeps so bitterly and pleads so
earnestly with both; that Mark, more touch
ed than he would like to confess, abruptly
leaves them to shut himself up in his cham
ber After some hours the sound of his
fo"tstep ceasing, the anxious wife creeps
softly up stairs, and is relieved to find him
| lying on the bed in an uneasy slumber.-
Her father per-uaIes her to rest. too, but
poor Fanny shakes her head, ard still sits
by his side leaning her head on his shoulder,
aud feeling more torlorn and miserable than
it hai ever been her lot to feel before
What will poor Mark d.! And what will
become OF her if he persists in believing her
guln2
Equally bewiIlerel and almost as unhap
py AS her daughter, Mr.. Roberts tries to
soothe her with promise rot only to seek
George and bring him to exculpats himself,
but forgive Marks hasry speeches, and asss,
him in investigating this mysterious affair
50 at last, Fanny begins to feel more com,
orted. and to wish her father to leave her.
but tired as he confessed himself, he cannot
quit her in such trouble, and they continue
to occupy the same position by the fire Till
night had long given lace to morning, aud
Mr.. Roberts eyes close involuntarily.
A f'olstep overhead sartIes them. at is
only Mark" says Fanny, after moments
listening. poor fellow, wish he had slept
longer"
In the modern six roomed house every
soun! is distinctly audible, and they hear
him enter the chamber where stands the now
shattered escrtolr. After a short pause he is
heard slowly decending the Stairs, aod Ms
wife raises herself from her reclining position
and s'noothes her disordered hair.
As ha antora tho rnon Mr. Rnhort. love