The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-11-21

passed., anQ my cuaIdCtet WIN W n0H~ 'AS
blacker now for a public charge"
cat least we shall get to the truth
then" said Mr.. Rashleigh, (which will
be so much gained"
"No, SIR" said Grartley fraly," |
shall not tell you even then where | got
the money from, and how came by 1t y
All this while the drsWing-room door
had been standing half opeu, With Hope
close to it, listening to What was passing.
A vhcle world of feelings had possessed
her by turns-fear of her father, fear for
Grantlcy, aud shame at the false position
in which her self-will and cowardice to-
ge.her had placed him, something, too,
that was more than admiration at the con-
stancy with which he had borne such
pain and indignity that he might keep
faith with her, and kind of dawning
idea that what she had done had been
after all a sin and dishonor, and that
confession would degrade her forever
all these thoughts passed through her
mind by turns, and held her motionless
and silent; with ever the bitter recollection
that Grantley was but poor relation at
best, and that the distance between them
was imneasurable, running like sorrow
ful refrain to each. But when her father
spoke of giving him in charge, and called
to the servant, then she heSitated no long
er. Throwing the door wide open she
come out into the ball.
Il took the money, papa" she said
boldly; and as she spoke she laid her
hand in Grantley's, the first time she had
ever willingly done SO.
"Hope" exclaimed her father, dare
you mad you took that money? You p
"Yes, papa" she answered quite stead
lily, "you refused to give it to me when |
asked you for it yesterday, and l took it
this morning. I wanted it, and you ought
to have given it to me-"
IF ] had thought that to refuse it
would have made you capable of stealing
it, Hope, I would not have hesitated a
moment" said the father steruly.
II do not call it stealing" said Hope
defantly. "Is vas only taking what I
had right to. I unlocked your desk
with my own key and gave the money to
Grantley to get changed"
John Rashleigh turned feroely against
the youth. Chow dare you, sir, abet my
child in folly ?" he exclaimed, passionate
y. "What was folly in her, and excus-
able considering how l have always hu-
mored her and acceded to her wishes, ,and
remembering after all she is mere child
still, was downright wickedness and dis
honor in you. And how DO | know but
that you instigated her to it? How do l
know but that it was your doing in reali-
ty, and she but the innocent tool Of your
cunning schemes? ?? You bought precious
gimcrack for yourself aud paid for it
with ny money. tell you, Grantley, the
whole thing looks too black yet for your
vhite-wasEirg."
"Grantley accounted tc ne foI that
camp thing" said Hope. "Did l rot tell
you, papa, that it was my own doing from
first to last ? Grantley did not know
where 7 got the note from. I only asked
him to get it cashed for me. But asked
him not to tell you that done so, because
I was afraid you would be angry with me
and I meant to tell you when you were
kind again" This she said coaxingly.
II could not break my word to Miss
Hope. said Grantley in a low voice, but
6rnly. Yet should have thought, Mr..
Rashleigh, that you would have known
ne to well too have suspected me Of such
a thing as this. What Miss Hope had a
right to do was another matter, but it
would have been theft in me; and men
-(there Mr.. Rashleigh smilod g little
satirically) "do not become thieves all at
once. Yet l do not think you have ever
seen much want cf hoEoc IL ne - .,
81 will not have that tone taken" said
Mr.. Rashleigh, harshly. "You have done
i'll Grautley, aud it IS absurd to attempt
to give yourself the air Of injured limo
cence, and as if you had the right to
blame ne Because I suspected what was
so entirely suspicious. And what do I
know yet? I have no proof; only your
own word and Hopes assertion, which for
aught l know, may be merely her gener-
GUS desire to get you out Of a perilous po-
sition by taking the blame on herself. I
can scarcely believe her guilty. 70 have
gone into my room in my absence, unlock
my desk, take the money had refused
her only a fer. hours ago, to steal, can
not believe it ! will not You have been
a. the bottom of it, Grantley; you have
had some hand in it t'
"Now papa, how car you 60 en- s0?"
cried Rape, thoroughly frightened. "Eo
I not tell that Grantley is innocent, and
that | have been tie only one to blame
what more can | say to convince you"
"It is not an easy matter to convince
me that my child has committed theft, J"
said John RashleIrh. praYe!v, and turn