The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-04-13
LIT E R A R Y.
sell ECTED.
The Marked Money.
(Coacluelcel)
CHAPTER w.
THE INTERVIEW

garden. When they reached the sitting-roonl.
Wilton Cunningham closed the door, and then
taking seat. lie drew Alice to his side. and
told her all that had tr;nsprcd. His voice
was firm, for he had schoolcd himself to the
task.
'And now" he continued, rs he finished his
story, 81 have thought, Alice, that it would be
better for inc to tell you this than to have it
come to you from other lips know not how
it will turn out, but fear that shall be u,,-
able to disprovc Mr. Randall's charge. In all
probability shall this evening be called before
Squire Bulard for examination. and the cycnt
cannot but cast Il foul stain upon my reputation
It is painful thing to be situated thus. for
others must snticr besides myself; but you,
Alice, would free from
Wilton hcsitatctl and wiped Il tear from his
eye, but he soon gain his sclfpossrysion, though
his voice f;!itcrc as he coniincl
You know orr relations. dear Alice. but if
this stain Falls upon me, must release you
from your vows. One 50 pure us vou should
not be united with :; man upon whose name
even suspicion of crime can i;.stcn itself. 1t
| is like taking my life itself thus to
Hold, Wilton uttered the fair girl, who
had managed thus far To keep back her tears
Are You guilty of this thing"
'lt is crncl t" as! nc that, Alice"
Il ask it. nevertheless"
"As there is Il God who hears me now. the
thoa.ht, even, Of such crime never entered
my mind The person does not live who can
! 81 zrith trll j tht u
her"
Il believe YOU" returned Alice. having her
hand upon Wilton shoulder and gazing allcc
tionatcly into lis ;,cc IL Lnom Won. and
knowing you us | do. shall never forsakc YOU
When ! promised to be yours for life. did it
upon mature dclibcratiou, nor did | mean that
the lrs time the cold breath of slandcr or sus
ricion fell npnn you, that should throw vol,
off,
'Ncble generous girl.' murmurcd Wilton
as he wound his arm about her. this takes
away half the sting; bu, YOU must remember
well what YOU do"
Il GHor what / would do, Wilton. All. if |
could forsakc you in your tr"bc. how unwor-
thy should BIZ Of the sacred office Of w,Ic
But tell me. have YOU no suspicious You say
that ior some time various small sums of money
have been taken from Randalls drawer
cs, dearest; fm over year there have
frequently been discrepancies between cash re.
corded and the amount in the drawer: hut. in
many eases, it haas been the result of Mr.. Ran
dalrs own carclcssncss in taking money during
the day for small purchases without giving a
money has been stolen
And have you no suspicious Of who took
1t = asked Alice, with muc. carncstncss.
IL do not hmom who took it, and it would be
ungcncrous to tell of mere suspicious"
well, have my suspicious" said Alice.
was IN the store after you went away to sup
/ ,.ccr last Wednesday evening and waited some
time for you to come back, but got tired 50
] came away without seeing you"
We'll, utlr.v,., !he vonny man. i'll almost
brcathlcss anxiety. did yau fcc anything out
of the way?'
Not that know of; but while was there.
saw Mr. Randall 90 away from the desk
where you write, and put some heavy pieces OF
silver into the moneydrawcr. and when he
went out of the store, ] went too, for did not
Ike to remain after he had gone"
THAT was probably the money he marked!
and it was after he had gone hone that that
money was taken, for when the drawer was
taken out Of the safe, the next morning, he
says it was gone; and il was after that, too,
that paid iIr. Wiley"
For some time Alice Drake sat in dcep
thought Her fingers ends were placed upon
her brow, and wcighty ideas seemed revolving
in her mind. At length she raised her head,
and i'll IL hopeful tone, she said:
'Ion have many friends, Wilton and some
who may help you in this emergency. I will
myself seek them. All, there goes Squire
Bullard now. You had better return to your
own cottage, and, trust me, a womans S wit may
be match for them all"
But | cannot consent to this, Alice. that
You should"
'1.ct me have my own way this time" inter.
rnptcd Alice, and assurc YOU that YOU hall