The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-11-25


my words and actions, but you win par
don me, ! know, when tell you that it
is better for all Of us to say but little
about il. Your brother has been led
into an error that threatened 10 be al.
moot serious. Fortunately, everything
is now arranged quite satisfactorily,
thanks to your presence, aud be will
return to the city with Us. Watch over
him, and pray for him." he added, SOL
emily, "thatbe may not stumble again."
=" | asked it," said James, bowling his
head; and without another word they
left the house, and were soon on their
way back to the city.
Silently they rods until the limits Of
the city were reached. Then Joho
Normandy give the reins to Blenchford,
and nlightiog, babe the brother and sis.
ter adieu.
"But you, John p said James
"What will you do ?"
"Fcar not for me, replied Normandy
adding 10 a whisper, II shall not beiray
you, whaveyer happens"
Then he charged them boeh never to
tell what had passed between them that
night; and, without waiting to hear
their replies, he strobe rapidly down
the street.
He went directly to the bank, reach
ing it just at opening time, and, without
word to any one, went straight to the
vaults his custom every morDing--and
deposited the money that james Beneh-
ford had stolen from them. Then he
went back, aud met the officer to arrest
him. He expected it; but he had left
the money in its place, aud now he was
ready for the prison. He fel. thankful
that he had been allowed so much time.
He had saved James Blenchford, and
his father, and Grace, and what did he
care now? He was alone 10 the world;
he had done his duty; aud he had hope.
James Blenchford went to him in pri-
son, but Normandy would hear nothing
about surrcndering himself
~ will tell you secret, James, aud
then you will see motive for my ac-
tons. | love your sister better than
my own life, and could not bear to
have a word whispered against her.
Let it rest as it is. am content"
Again James Blenchford promised,
but it was hard for him to abide by it.
With all his faults, he had generous
heart That very day he told Grace the
whole story of his disgrace, and how
John Normandy was suffering for them;
and she was touched by the recital, aud
thought Of every means to liberate him.
"The money, Jnmes, where is il
now ?"
Normandy placed it 10 the safe, uu-
known 10 any one.D
"And has it not been found Would
not the whole matter DO looked upon as
a great blunder; and would not Mr..
Normandy be liberated at once, aud OK.
onerated from all blame, if the money
was found there ?"
Away went James Blenchford, with
out waiting to answer his sisters ques.
ton, aud within ten minutes was
mounting the steps to the bank. He
sauntered up to Ganson, and carelessly
inquired If there was anything new in
Normandy's.
Nothing" replied Ganson, ''he pro-
tests his innocence, aud | am inclined
to think he speaks the truth"
So am I, Ganson. Do you know l
am half certain that IT is oil great mis-
taks--that the money is now somewhere
about the safe %
Il wish il might provo 50. II is a
hard blow for Normandy, and il il is
gone, who else could have taken it p
He has the key to the safe
81 don't believe il is gone" said
Blcnchiord, controlling himself won.
deriully. "Iwould like to have another
search made. III ask father, aud here
he comes =
Jonas Blenchford felt very sore over
the disgrace Of his iavoritc, and espc.
cially since his daughter had returned,
and spoke in the warmest terms Of her
treatment during the ride. He was
therefore ever willing 10 do anything to
clear up the matter He readily con
sented to make another search for the
missing money, though he was well
satisfied that it would be fruitless.
And indeed il came very near being
SO, For full two hours they looked,
pulling drawers, turning aud unfolding
papers, Till evory one but james was
satisfied that Il was not there. He