The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-03-22
The Teii-Taie. Diamond.
A L " FRS STO Il Y
BY JANE GRAY sEAvER.


than the painted portrait Of a beautiful
young girl that had seen in Win6eld's
studio when | had dropped in two days
before for a an hour of quiet thought, for
I had an important case in hand, which
l felt it would require all my efforts to
gain, and l had resolutely determined
to win, and could never mature my
plans so well as when ] give them an
hours meditation in the studio of my
friend.
l had only been in practice about two
years. But had during that interval nc.
quired fair reputation. Indeed, were
| not modest man, ] might say | was
fast becoming famous. Yes, it was only
this one picture which had so enraptured
me. But it was enough to drive SLEEP
from my eyes and almost the thought ot
the Importance of the case in hand.
could not rest. had not rested fol
the two preceding nights. And this morn
ing as entered my Office and seated my.
self at my desk, heartily wished the
legal profession had not been my choice
What would | not have given to have
known the original of that picture? hei
name even2 But I would not ask my
friend Just then, for | knew that | coulc
not do so without betraying the interest
felt and Winfield would be sure to laugh
at me,and | have horror of being laugh
ed at, even by friend.
Collecting my scattered thoughts, ant
resolutcly shutting out from my menta
vision the beautiful portrait which hac
haunted me, commenced my brief
had only gone so far as to write thu
name of my client (Allenstou Wentworth
and the crime of which hc stood accused
(robbed the Hillside Bank, when sudden
ly rap at the door startled mo, and il
answer to my somewhat peevish " Com
in," the door swung slowly back and
lady stood before me.
Wonder of wonders What was i
that met my gaze Was it vision 0
my distorted brain7 Surely not. for
spoke.
The beautiful lips parted and that low
musical hut sad tone. | shall never for
get nor those large, lustrous eyes, 0
glorious azure hue, with their dropping
silken fringes nor the slight pink blusl
which, for moment swept over tn
otherwise pale face, and settled in on
tiny spot upon either cheek.
was spell-bound. | could neithe
speak nor move. My heart stopped beat
ing, and gazed-yes, gazed straight il
to the very depths Of those liquid orb
for it was the original of the pictur
which, for the past two days, had nearl
driven me mad, that now stood befor
me.
Mr.. Cleighorn,' she asked at lengtl
AT your service, madam" | manage
to stammer out. Pray be seated"
added, handing chair.
You. sir, are retained to defend \
tension Wentworth ?" she asked, inquil
ingly.
~ have that honor, madam" r.
turned
Well, sir, wish to put you in posse
sion of a few facts"
Proceed, MADAM am all attcl
tion," | said
Il must commence by telling you al
the daughter of Morton Rushton, ESQ
!, one of the directors and heaviest stocI
holders of the Hillside Bank. Allen
ton Wentworth was as you have doub
less been apprised, a clerk in the ban
He is innocent ofthis great charge again
him. He is, also, poor But work f
, him as though he were rich, for ! have
in my power to pay you well.
| assured her that would defer
him to the best of my ability, though
, were not to receive penny for my So
} vices.
Thanks, sir. You are, also, prob
bly, aware that Melville Thornton. the i
dividual who made this charge against Il
4 prisoner, is paying teller, and son
: one of its wealthy directors.
G asssnted.
: "Thornton and Wentworth have bo
u been paying their addresses to my youn
h er sister, Lilly. My sister gave her pI
ference to Wentworth, my father fave
ed Thornton, and finally Wentworth W
refused the house, but Thornton was
lowed to continue his visits. Neither IN
self nor my sister would entertain /
h latter, after the former was exclude
;, This annoyed my father exceedingly,
/, he is stern, unyielding man, though g
n erous to fault with his daughters
T. long as they prove obedient to his ir
will. When We refused TO entcrtt
Thornton, he told US that should we ms
= ry against his desire or beneath us, as
termed it, in fact meaning should
, marry poor he would Immediately dis
hert us, and leave his wealth to distf
! relative. My sister grieved, my motf
implored, and | denounced it as cruel Il
unjust. My sister was fast sinking us
all thought into premature grave. Il
h nearly crazed me. My mother has
= only sister residing short distance fir,
the city, and as last resort | wrote
:. her, stating the case in full, and bege
le her if she valued my sisters life to all
4 4 us to arrange plan of meeting We
h worth at her house. She complied, q
n, Mr.. Wentworth visited her at my aur
's 'e house on the very night upon which
s. bank was robbed. This fact, of cour
Up establishes complete aiiJi, but you v
$ readily understand how impossible il
s. that We should be called MS witness
Or therefore desire to know if you Ct
not establish his innocence IN some ot
! way?
it. "Miss Rushton," | said. the circu
no stantial evidence is very strong sgai
iy him, as you are aware, that the moi
en- was found in his room secreted in the N
=" tress"
True, | admit this. But firmly
u lieve it was placed there through
1a rn agency Of Thornton.
NO =" ON sure of it., | replied, % an,
)n q mat .,noa.hla that I man ana.aaJ