The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-19
ALEXANDRIA, LA, WEDNESDAY, JULY TO- 1871.

uitSIuOou, IiIc, AUSt AcOudIO Cttiuc
down in his carriage. He tumbled the
books over, as usual, but had little to
say, and he really looked i'll when he
started for home.
The ride was not long one, but, it
seemed to have shaken all the pride
out of the fat little merchant. AS he
entered the hall he was met by Belle.
Father %
''The very worst, Belief"
GLOW do you meanq"
"The additions and entries are cor
rected, and the cash is all straight
again"
"BHt how it flat the worst"
''The corrections are all in Walter
Sterne's own hand. He has been
alarmed in some way, and has put the
money back to save himself"
ooh, father, isn't it terrible ~
"Indeed it is, Belle. And I loved
that young man almost like son. I'd
have trusted him with all was WORTH"
Z And, to tell the truth, both father
and daughter were thoroughly misera-
BILE. Belle, especially looked forward
with nervous horror to the fast apa
preaching hour for Walters call.
At last the expected feet were on the
doorstep and never had he looked so
near tho hnau ideal of the .'fine young
mani in the eyes that, already swollen
with tears, looked ont at him through
the cul tains. There was even look
of pride and citation on Walters face,
as he entered the parlor; but his
countenance fell as he cast his eyes on
the face that came forward to meet him.
Miss Leonard"
"Mr. Sterne-"
Aud for a few moments neither of
them could say more, and Walters
heart beat almost audibly. Their joint
embarrassment was, to say the least
changed. in its nature, by the sudden
entry of Abel Leonard.
"Walter Sterne, 1 will save Belle the
trouble of. giving you her answer
Does not your own conscience tell you
what it ought to be 2"
"My conscience? I can not compre-
bend You ~
'Then I will say that l have exam
incd the books. Yes, you may well
turn pale, for I saw them before you
made the corrections. I may also add
that have extorted an unwilling con-
fession from Mr.. JOnes-not that he
done wrong in anything, but his de-
sire to shield you. 1t will not be ne
cessary for you to come to the count
ing-house tomorrow, Mr.. W alter
Sterne."
While the old gentleman had been
speaking, Walter had been thinking
with lightning speed, and he now re-
piled, in a deep and firm, thought
husky voice:
''Mr. Leonard, I see into what a
snare have fallen, but I see also that
| can not at once lift myself out of it.
l will only say now, that l have been
utterly honest with you, and more than
honest. There is not one stain on my
conduct"
And so saying, Walter strobe out OF
the room, and out of the house leaving
a deeper impression behind him than
he was aware of. As for Belle, she
threw herself upon sofa in the back
parlor, and sail but sobbed hersel1
to sleep.
Perhaps an hour, perhaps more
passed by, when Belle was awakened
by many voices, conversing near her il
low tones, in the darkness.
"No you can't Charley that was thu
very money l let you have. I to}t
him you helped yourself to it, and ht
made it good to straighten the books
and clear you. It was only by bai
luck that the old gentleman found il
out, and it's too late to help it. Hell
forgive Walter in day or 50. Then
you know, it settles the other thing
Thus far Charles had said very little
that Belle could hear, but now hi
voice was raised a little.
| "Evan Jones, never did mean
thing in my life. Do you think II
shield myself, oryou either, at the ex
pcnse of man who would do SO ger
erous thing as that 2 No, not by"-
"Hurrah for yon, Charleyv' almos
screamed Belle, as she sprang from thu
sofa and threw her arms around Lii
neck-very narrowly missing the mis-
take ofhugging the wrong man. g
knew that Walter Sterne was not dis
honest! Go this instant, and bring hin
back here. Never mind how late it is
I'll go and tell papa at once!"
By the time she ceased speakin
there came loud bang from the from
door, as it shut behind the retreatinI
form of Evan Jones.
/ Charley went, rs he was hidden
= and if Abel Leonard never again boast