The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-08-05

leaves of the prayer book. The inmates
of the chamber of death soon perceived
that something was amiss The thunder
storm was rapidly passing, away, and as
the air grew brighter they roticed the ID
tensely anxious expression of my face, ano
the nervous manner with which turned
out my pockets, and hunted between the
leaves OF the prayer book.
1.-THE noter' replied with stammering
accents, for I was in agony of nervous ex
element. 'The note the motel cant
gnd it nowhere y fyvy
The doctor cast sharp glance
glance of suspicion, in the direction OF
Reuben and his wife / noticed it, and
think they noticed it also. He then said
cit can't be lost, it must be in this
room" @ 9
Il have searched my pockets, and
have turned over every leaf of these
books" I answered. My impression is
that I left it on the corner of the table
Just at the time of that dreadful flash.
could almost swear that did So"
"Maybe the thunderoolt burnt it up
observed Reuben, with sardonic grin on
his face.
eff it has, it only would be like our
usual bad luck, Reuby," chimed in his
wife.
AS she spoke saw that David was
steadily regarding his relatives with a
darkening frown on his forehead, A mo
ment later he rose from his seat.
II must speak," he said excitedly, cal
though the breath is only just out of poor
fathers body. I swear that saw the
note on this very corner which now COW
er with my hand the instant before that
flash of lightning. A minute later it had
disappeared"
"Don't you think it's burnt ?" said Reu-
ben, moclxingly."
81 think it's stolen" answered David,
calmly.
$50 do l." returned Reuben, coolly.
"By whom?" I demanded, for felt
that I was most seriously implicated in
the matter. a8
"By himr'-"By him! exclaimed the
half-brothers almost at the same instant.
Each brother stood erect, fierce and de-
faint, and each was pointing finger at
the other. The mysterious disappearance
of the hundred pound note had aroused
all their mutual distrust and dislike.
Each man had at once made up his mind
that the other was thief
AS for myself, as soon as [ became con-
WINGED. by repeated examination, that the
note was neither in my pockets nor hid
den among the books, began to suspect
that robbery had been committed, and
as could not believe that the steady,
we'll conducted David would be guilty of
so base an action, I was forced to suppose
that his half brother was the culprit. DR..
Webb said very little, but [ perceived
that he shared my opinion.
"My lads" he said, "you have each
charged the other with very serious
crime. We had better send the women
out of the cottage, and search you both. :"
"Tm ready" cried David.
"And so am T." cried Reuben.
II won't leave without Mrs. Mathews
searching Of me, can tell ys,'' exclaimed
Martha Dymond bitterly; "else the folks
will go and say that my Reuby passed the
note to his wife. To think that should
live to hear my husband suspected Of
thieYing !" said the woman, bursting into
a passionate flood of tears.
The men and women were accordingly
and the search took place with
all possible care and diligence. Each
brother We'd with the other in atfording
every facility for the investigation of his
garments, and each brother watched with
painful keenness for some evidence of his
kinsman's guilt. Both were disappoint-
ed; no note was forthcoming, and Reuben
and his wife sauntered toward their own
abode with sullen, disconnected faces
The Storm had by this time passed com-
pletely away; the sky was unstained by
a single cloud, and the birds, cooled and
refreshed by the moisture of the air, were
merrily singing their evening song. Doc
tor Webb and walked slowly, side by
side.
''This is a most sad affair."" Iobserved
"What do you think of it ?"
81 scarcely know what to think" he re-
piled. cat first I felt convinced that
Reuben was the thief I don't think SO
now; the undaunted way in which he
submitted to be searched looks like inno-
cence"
"Do you suppose that Martha took it
without Reuben's knowledge p
"No, I don't"
"You surely don't suspect David ?"
81 don't suspect any one of them. |
don't know what to think; I'm fairly puz-
zled."
CHAPTER ".
THE FUNERAL.
The news of the singular discovery of
the hundred pound note, and of its still
more singular disappearance, spread like
wildfre through the village. Moreover,
the tale was told with many exaggera-
tions. It was reported that while [ was
in the act of repeating the Lords Prayer,
the note miraculously became visible be.
tween the open leaves of the prayer book,
which I held in my hand. The old COS,
sips shook their heads; that hundred