Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-10-28

The husband, suspecting he knows moi
what, looks almost sternly at his wife, whose
answering glance is confused and full of ter
| ror
Tell me the truth, Fanny, my dear Fan
| ny. Are you playing trick to tease me
Remember, if L cannot produce those pa.
pers, L am ruined man. 1t would be
worse than the loss of money; that l might
replace, the other | cannot Tell me 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 next to impossible, the chance
is not overlooked. Hammer and chise are
soon on hand, and the back of the escritoir
is soon knocked out, leaving no nook or
Granny where the smallest paper could re,
main unperceived.
Almost beside himself, Mark led his wife
down stairs, and commenced to question
her. Where is her key? On the ring; it
has been out OF her possession. Has she
been out? No. Is she sure of that {?
Quite; besides, as she ventures to remind
him, the locks have not been forced, nor is
| aught else missing, as would have been the
case il thieves had entered the house. In
uncomfortable agitation, the bewildered man
PAGES the room, while Fanny, unable to prof
fer advice, or assist him with any reasona-
bic conjecture, watches him in trembling 81
lence
Suspicious are crowding upon his mind :;
hints given before his marriage about Fan
ny Roberts brother, and regrets uttered.
even within his hearing, that a respectable
young man like him, should lower himself
by such connection. He pauses, and de-
mands what errand had brought that bioth-
er of hers to his house. That brother of
her, What speech All Fannys sis,
terry feelings were in arms, and yet she is
forced to own that it was for the want of
money. And you told him that had
those papers in the house" She did not
mention Mark affairs during their short
interview. Or if she did, would he steal
up stairs an rob his sisters home Ridicu-
lous Impossiblel
'Impossible!" says Mark, "Without he
has key
''It has not been out of my pocket" sobs
Fanny
Then where are the missing papers?"
asks Mark
Receiving for reply a torrent of tears
and protestations he filings himself on the
sofa, and tries to steady his nerves Mean
while, Fanny gees and institutes an unavail
ing search in every box, cupboard, and
drawer. At last she returned to the parlor
in despair. Getting frightened at Mark
gloomy looks, she is delighted when a tap
at the door announces a visitor, and the Wis
itOr, proved to be her father.
To him the affair is circumstantia!ly de-
tailed, and Mark points out the inevitable
loss of his situation and good name if he
should be unable to produce the paper or
give any clue which might lead to their dis
covcry. To Fanny dismay, he particularly
dwells upon her brother visit and her halt
made endeavor to conceal it {; concluding by
an entreaty that she will, il retaining any
affections for her husband, tell all she knows.
But now the father interposes. To tame
ly hear both his children accused of such a
crime is more than irrascible temper will
endure, and he enters counter accusation
that Mark has, for some unworthy end, re
moved the parcel himself. Words now be-
came SO hot and bitter that Fanny's distress
is increased, not lessend by this champion
ship, and she weeps so bitterly and pleads
so earnestly with both, that Mark, more
touched than he would like to confess, alb
ruptly leaves them to shut himself in his
chamber After some hours, the sound of
his footsteps ceasing, the anxious wife creeps
softly up stairs, and is relieved to find him
lying on the bed in an uneasy slunber. Her
father persuades her to rest too, but poor
Fanny sinks her head on his shoulder, feel
ing more forlorn and miserable han it had
ever been her lo tofeel before. What will
poor Mark do? What will become of her
if he persists IN believing her guilty
Equally bewildered. and almost as unhap-
by as his daughter, Mr.. Roberts tries to
soothe her With promises, not only to seek
G. orge, AMI bring him to exculpate himself,
but to forgive Mark hasty speeches, and
assist him in investigating this mysterious
affair. So, at last, Fanny begins to feel
more comforted and wished her father to
leave her; but he would not quit her in
such trouble, and they continued to occupy
the same position by the fire till night had
long given place to morning, and Mr.. Rob
erts' eyes closed involuntarily.
A footstep overhead startled them. 1T
is only Mark, said Fanny. Poor fellow,
wish he had slept longer.
In the modern six-roomed house every
sound was distinctly audible, and they heard
him enter the chamber where stands the
shattered escritoire. After a short pause
he is heard slowly descending the stairs, and
his wife raises herself from her reclining po-
sition, and smooths her disordered hair. As
he entered the room Mr. Roberts whispers
Look, child, look'' and Fanny sees with
astonishment that her husband is fast asleep,
and holds in one hand the bundle of old