The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-01-18

street, which she was fortunate enough to
secure on moderate terms, and straight
way advertised for pupils in French and
music.
Fortune seemed to smile on Mabel at
last. She rendered so complete satisfac-
tion to the first few pupils that gave her
Il trial, that she had as many as she could
take. Her income enabled her to add to
instead of diminish her deposit in the
bank and she was beginning not to be so
rigid now in her banishment, during her
waking moments, Of that face that always
would come up in her dreams.
But a shocking blow was in store for
poor Mabel She was on her way from
the house of a pupil one day, when a
stranger accosted her:
am sorry to trouble you, miss, but
it is necessary you should go with me.
| am detective, and have warrant
for your arrest. As am not in uniform,
no one need know you are in custody"
Will you not at least inform me of
what l am accused ?" Mabel ventured to
ask.
"My instructions are to answer no
questions" said the man doggedly.-
You will learn all at the police-office
and it'smy opinion the sooner we 60 there
the better"
Seeing no alternative, Mabel acquies-
ced and walked in silence by the side of
the officer
When confronted with the Judge-a
shrewd, but withal pleasant looking gen.
teman, on high seat-she was not so
much intimidated as might have been ex-
pected. She had had time to collect her
thoughts by the way, and there is,ever a
true courage in innocence, that makes the
weak strong, and inspires the timid with
boldness
Will you be good enough to tell me,
sir, why [ have been brought here ?"-
Mabel asked, in voice so gentle and
musical and with flush on her face so
far from betokening guilt, that his Honor
forgot the prisoner, and remembered only
the lady.
d" You presented a check some time
since, Miss Gleason, for five hundred dol
lars, purporting to be drawn by Mr.. Went
worth on the -- Bank, on which you
drew the money"
"T did," Mabel answered; cit was a
Christmas present from Mr.. Wentworth
himself. He gave it to me with his own
hand" said Mabel, astounded at charge
so unaccountable.
" Mr.. Wentworth has been sent for,
and will be here presently" the Judge an
swered. "Ah here he comes"
AS the little old gentleman bustled his
way to the front, and his eyes fell on
Mabel, he started with astonishment.
"You here he exclaimed. "What is
the rmeanng of all this ?"
"That is the person who presented the
check" said the Judge.
d" Impossible " cried the little old gen
tleman.
"She has admitted it."
Mr.. Wentworth was dumbfounded.-
The whole affair was involved in mystery.
The written part of the check, had he
not known the contrary, he would have
sworn to be in his own hand. His check
book, too, was missing, though how it
could have been abstfacted from the safe
in his room, of which he kept exclusive
possession Of the key, was quite past his
comprehension.
You gave me the check yourself,
sir" said Mabel, " on the steps of my
lodgings, late on Christmas might; you
surely cannot have forgotten it."
"Late on Christmas night p'-why,
the old gentleman was sure he hadn t
stirred out of the room after dinner, and
that he had gone to bed at nine
Whatever conclusion the little old gen
tleman's mind might have reached in its
bewilderment, Mabel's was fast approach
ing one at the righteousness of which she
would have smiled under less serious cir
cumstances which was, that Mr.. Went
worth had celebrated Christmas a little
indiscreetly, and taken drop too much
for his memory, when herrefections were
cut short by the appearance of new
face on the sceno-a decidedly handsome
one, belonging to young gentleman who