Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-26


better for all of us to say but little abou
II Your brother has been led into error
that threatened to be most serious. For
tunately. every thing is now arranged
quite satisfactorily, thanks to your pres
ence, and he will return to the city will
us. "Watch over him, and pray for him,
he added solemnly, that he may no
stumble again"
II ask it," said James bowling his head
and without another word, they left tn
house and were soon on their way back
to the city.
Silently they rode until the limits OF tn
city were reached. Then John Normandy
gave the reins to Blenchford, and allght
ing. babe the brother and sister adieu:
.But you, john" said James, wv ha'
will you do ?''
..Fear not for me-" replied Normandy
adding in whisper, Il shall not oetral
YOU whatever happens. s.
Then he charged them both never to tel
what had passed between them that night
and without waiting to hear their reptile
he strobe rapidly down the street.
He went directly to the bank, reachinc
it Just at opening time, and without wore
to any one, went straight to the vaults
his custom every morping-and deposited
the money that James Blenchford had stol
en- from them. Then he went back an,
met the officer to arrest him.
He expected it but he left the money II
its place, and now he was ready for pris
on. He had saved James Blencnford, ant
his father, and Grace, and what did h
care now? He was alone in the world
L. la 1,,fx aud no had hnt,.
James Blenchford went to him in prison
but Normandy would hear nothing abou
surrendering himself.
II win tell you secret, James, ant
then you will see motive for my actions
/ love your sister better than my own life
and could not bear to have word whis
pered against her. Let il rest as it is.
am content"
Again James Blenchford promised, bu
it was hard for him to abide by it. Witt
all his faults he had a generous heart. Tha
very day he told Grace the whole story .
his disgrace. and how John Normandy wa
suffering for them; and she was touched
by the recital, and thought of every means
to liberate him.
1.-The money, James, where is it now P
Normandy placed it in the safe, un
known to any one."
s.And has it not been found? Woul,
not the whole matter be looked upon as
great blunder, and would not Mr. Nor
mandy be liberated at once, and exonera
ted from all blame, If the money wa
found there?
Away went James Blenchford, withou
waiting to answer his sisters question, ant
within ten minutes was mounting thu
steps to the bank. He sauntered up II
Ganson, and carelessly inquired if there
was anything new in Normandy's case.
"Nothing," replied Ganson. "He pro
tests his innocence, and | am inclined t.
think he speaks the truth"
$50 am /, Gnnson. DO you know / an
half certain that it is all great mistake
that the money is somewhere about TIL
safe.n
II wish it might prove So 1t is har'
blow for Normandy, and. if it is gone
who else could have taken it 7? He has tn
key to the safe
II don't believe tits gone" said Blench
ford, controlling himself wonderfully. g
wonld like to have another search made
I'll ask father, and here he comes
Jonas Blenchford felt very sore at tn
disgrace of his favorite, and especiall
since his daughter had returned. ant
spoken in the warmest terms of her treat
ment during the ride. He was, therefore
very willing to do anything to clear N
the matter He readily consented to maxi
another search for the missing money
though he was. well satisfied that it woul,
be fruitless.
And indeed it came very near being so
For full two hours they looked, pullin;
drawers, turning and unfolding papers
till every one but James was satisfied
was not there. He knowing or fully be
lieying that Normandy told the truth, d
not give up, and at last brought the pack
age to light from an obscure corner wher
it might have been overlooked score 0
times.
''lt's all right" he shouted. Norman
dy is innocent
Then ell was confusion James raj
home and told Grace, and they rejoice,
together; while their father went in per
sou and procured the release of Norman
dy, telling the strange story as he went
1t was the happiest moment of his life
when John Normondy took his place il
the bank again.
james profited by his bitter experience
He never again swerved from the right
and is living now n respected citizen o
his native place Grace never has for
gotten, for her name is now Grace Nor
mandy, and she loves her plain, noble
hearted husband with true affection.