The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-11-22

Of tools.
wa, 20 overwhelmed with shame
and horror, that sat down on the log
and shed tcars,-a womanish exhibit
tiun Of grief. of which an hour earlier
should have deemed myself Incapable.
4 whispered consultation now took
place between my accusers. | heard
the word "Police" mentioned, and
Fry said, "YcS, and the sooner the bet
tcr.n Then Langford intcrposed, "No,
not tonight, let us wait till the morn
ing. lie then once more addressed
me-
"Plodsc 10 understand, Mr.. Parker,
that we do not charge you with rob-
berry, but we cannot help suspocting
you.'
al don't go so far as you, Langford,"
intcrposcd Brocklcbank hastily. 81
don't oven say that | suspect Mr.. Par
kcr; ] merely assert that parcel of
gold has disappeared. As practical
proof of my freedom from suspicion, |
should like him to remain in my tent
Tonight"
"Thank you, Mr.. Brocklebnnk" l
answered, "for all your kindness, but |
cannot accept your offer"
ole means to bolt" muttercd Fry.
81 do not mean to bolt, Mr.. Fry" |
exclaimed, experiencing fer the first
time sense of indignation which tend
cd TO lessen mydcspondency. 81 havcno
tent 80 | shall licin my blankets under
Il tree, and if you, Mr.. Fry, orany other
persons, choose to keep guard over me
all night / shall not complain"
"Nou had better accept my offer,
Parker" urged Brocklcbank, courte-
ously. There is q storm brewing over
! yondcr."
81 cannot" l answered. II don't
mind getting wet"
The politeness and civility with
which all these people treated mo
Fry cXcepted-cut me to the heart.
Had they been a set of brutal rutlians,
ready to take the low into their own
hands, the keen scnseof injustice would
have doadcncd my grief but these men
acted in the most cautious, law.abding
manner; they even hesitated to charge
me with the crime which they suspcc-
ted | had committed. And how base &
crime it was! was friendlcss stran
ger, Brock lebank took me in, treated
me A. If | had been his own brother, ant
had apparently repaid him by com
Z Il
As may be imagined, | passed, botl
physically and mentally, miserable
night, though the bodily inconveni
Cucc was trivial compared with tn
shame which consumed me. | lightC,
q small fire at the foot of tree, an
after eating the remainder of my bi>
cult, and drinking pannikin of col
: water, rolled myself in my blankets
aud lay down. had not the heart
buy any tea or other provisions at II
} Royal Liver store, for | felt that Il
> proprietor would naturally bclieN
u that the brazcu- faced Culprit was spen
" ing the proceeds of his Villainy; and
!, determined not to go elsewhere, lo
my acc scrs should suspect that me
i' itatcd flight. had Just covered II
" head to shield my face from the kc
south wind which was whisting amol
- the trees, when heard Il gentle, W
u manly voice saying, close by me-
e "NIr. Parker, my husband ha, bid /
l. bring youa pnnniliin Of nice hot tt
" He saw that you had nonc.'
10 "rhank you, Mrs. Langford, l doi
~ want it,"
!" "And he says you had better go a
: sleep in hi. mates tent
'u $40, am resolved to stay here"
- at least drink the tea, to plei
-. me-" she urged, "Perhaps yoa W
:. drnl; it if | tell you, that though t
81 Others think you guilty, | believe y
innocent"
p. "Why do you think so, Mrs. Lar
~. ford ," | said, uncoverng my face, n
raising myself on my elbow.
k " cannot tell; but you have not
Y. face or the manner If thief. q
re sure you are innocent, and | pray G
Is, you may be proved So There, | W
k set the tea by your side; drink it,,
" will keep you warm. Good night"
cd Good night" murmured, and
comiortcd, There was one person "
l., thouSht me innocent
Fora long time could not go
ly sleep, and rs | lay awake | wonder
nj whether anybody was keeping wat,
en- The bowling of the wind among
We trees made 50 much noise that my {
.ly were unable to detect any stcalt
movement Of human feet; but | afi
wards learnt that IN orose Mr.. fr
ny without any feeling ofpcrsonal amin
on ily, but simply is matter ofduty-l
nc posted hm-rliin mimosa-bush in
id, immediate vicinity, and kept his fin
Oh the trigger of his revolver, lc'
we should make sudden spring from
cw hard couch, and attempt to fly un
the cover Of darkness.
hg' At length sank intoan uneasy sic
from which was awakcnedaboutd da
ar hy sensation Of extreme chilliness
: ! looked around; the wind had lul
ing and steady soaking rain was con
Ne down. got up, shook myself, anc
''" my fire had been Qucnchcd by the
OF walked over to the public fire in irol
the Royal Liver. This fire had so I
''@' uu-hlN penetrated into the heart OF
i'' big log which formed its basis,
nothing short of n tremendous thun