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

and ought to have been, and he was worse
than absurd to feel the least pain at his
going Then the magistrates business
had been worrying him to day and had
been on one side of an opinion and his
brothers on the other, and had been forced
to give in which had annoyed him not
little; so that, when added to this accu-
mutation of disturbing influences was the
sudden conviction that he had been rob-
bed, and that too by the boy he had loved
and cherished more than be had ever open
" acknowledged, we can understand in
what a whirlwind of fiery wrath be rode
full speed through Canstow and up to
lNewlands, not ten minutes after Grautley
had returned home.
"Grantley" he called out as soon as be
entered and still standing in the hall ;
"Grantley Watts, where are you ?'
"Here, sir" said Grantey coming out
/ of the drawing room where be had been
giving Miss Hope an account of his pro-
ceedings, and empty;Dg his pockets of her
commissions.
"Where did you get that twenty pound
note you changed just now at Tells 2"
| fairly shouted John Rashleigh.
Grantley was silent.
"Come, sir, l want an answer cried
his cousin. "LoOkiug down and keeping
demure silence will not suit me ! want
simple straight forward answer. Where
did you get that twenty pound note from?
l left itin my desk when went to CanstoW
to-day, and my desk was locked whoever
get it forced the lock or opened it with
false key, it was either you or some one
else. who was it Gransly ?"
Grantley still made no answer; the
truth was beginning to break Upon him
do not think any one in my house
hold would do such thing; two hours
ago I should lot have thought you would
have done it and even yet, suspicious as
the whole thing is, yet will accept any
explanation that will clear you, else l
must hold you responsible for the theft"
II did not steal It, have committed
no theft" said Grantley, looking straight
into his cousins eyes.
| 20 you may dislike the word but that
[ do not care for" said Mr. Rashleigh,
disdainfully. ~ have always remarked
that people shrink more from a word than
deed, and think themselves especially
ilI-used if called by The name Of their
crime. Ifyou are not a thief, what are
you, then ? II you did not steal it how
did you get it7
~ did Got steal it" was all that Grantly
could s1y repeating himself monotonously.
John Rashleigh was an impatient man
as well as proud and high tempered one
At Grantley's second asservation heraised
his hand and struck the youth across the
face.
"Coward !" he said, "have you not the
bad courage of crime? Dare you not con-
fess what, by confession would have beer
only fault If you had told me frankly
how and why you come to do such athing
| could have understood it as a boyish
liberty, and forgiven it, but now I have
only cne way of dealing with it--as a
crime"
When he struck him, Grantley invol-
unfairly raised his own hand but thot'
came across him, and he retreated a step
or two and dropped his guard
at takes the remembrance of all yon
have done for me, Mr.. Rashleigh, and
more than even this to make me bear your
insults p he said excitedly; his boyish
face eonyulsed With contendiBg passions.
His voice, harsh and broken as it was
had somehow a different ring in it to that
Of guilt, and Mr.. Rashleigh had not been
magistrate for so many years, ard accrs-
toned to al shades cf criminals, not to
know something of the human voice, and
whatit betokened under accusation. Grant.
ley's startled him-sC did the proud fush-
ed face with the honest eyes looking so
frankly, aud the Indignation rather than
fear upon it-made him half afraid that
be had been too hasty. But men of his
character do not long doubt themselves
for good er evil; and while that one
broad fact remained unexplaired-hoR
did Grantley get possession of money
locked up in his desk? he was in his
right to suppose that he had stolen it, and
common sense and the law were on his
side.
"Tell me how you come By it, he then
said in somewhat gautler tone; "If l
have done you wrong, boy, I am sorry for
it, and We will bear no malice; bat tell
ne how you got the note"
81 cannot sir," said Grantley. his heart
swelling
"You will not, you mean, you young
fool p said Mr.. Rashleigh, ,contemptuorsly.
"No, I will rot."
"Then you will not be surprised If l
send for the police? Here, Lewis, Lewis!
come here The thing must be thorough
ly sifted, Grautley; and if you are guilty
ak.n hn-- hrntl