National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-09-13

icust NiA 'ee' t"o W HciRHl, WIN ppou-
natured, but not particularly bright look
ing countenance.
Good-evening, Mr.. Grimgrin."
Good, evening, Bnnce," said Silas.
Pray, lower youl ,lf on the sofa there.
for your head must he dizzy at that height" /"
Mr. Bunce smiled at the joke; It was
an old acquaintance.
"What do you think OF Jasper's case 2"
he inquired. after pause.
There can be but one opinion" Silas
answered.
- have mine. at least" said the other.
"And what Is it, pray ~
"That he is not guilty"
"Then who is ?" said Slas sharply.
"You ?" retorted Bunce. planting him
self before the door, and displaying a
badge, at the sight Of which Silas trem-
bled.
What proof have you Of such an
accusation ~ said Silss, recovering his
presence of mind with an effort.
Ample" replied the other. Mum
erous peculations in the Office here
induced the authorities to place it under
surveillance and, for month past, ]
have occupied the post of detective under
the guise of clerk. Two days ago,
unobserved, a. you thought. you abstract
ed letter directed to Er2est Jasper.
Next day you returned it. An examination
which |, az well rs you, know how to
make. proved that it contained check
the same - tor by a process of my own
was able to read its contents-to-day
presented at the bank by Jasper and now
in my possession"
/" But all that" argued Slas' " does
not prove that | either opened the letter,
or altered the check"
/" As to the question Of a letters having
been opened" So the detective, " an
expert is not easily deceived As to the
alteration of the check, Mr.. Winter, the
drawer, ia ready to swear that George
Jasper inclosed it unaltered in his pres
ence. and left the letter with him to mail;
and Ican swear that when il came to the
hands of Ernest Jasper, the check was in
its present state"
Sias Grimgrin stood mute and sullen.
=" There is another charge against YOU"
resumed the detective.
Sias started.
To-day you opened decoy letter
containing money.
The guilty man made a movement as if
to escape, but the towering form of the
detective blocked his way. In an instant
the snap of the handouts on his wrists
was heard, and brief search brought to
light the identical bill taken from the
1ecoy letter.
The poor wretch's courage failed, and
he confessed all. He had stolen Georgr
Jasper's letter, not as he had others, foe
gains sake, but to sub>erve another pur
pose. He too loved Mildred Heath, and
bad been mainly instrumental ia breeding
between her and her betrothed.
To fix upon his rival the stigma of an
infamous crime, seemed a sure way to
secure the field permanently TO himself
rhe fraternal devotion which prompted
Ernest Jasper to sacrifice his own To his
)rother's reputation, was something a
nature like Silas Grimgrin's was alike |
Incapable of understanding or foreseeing. |
The widow jasper, Edith. and Mildred
we're all weeping tears of joy at once over
Ernest, just released from prison, when
George burst in among them.
- w iihl you HeTt, LTHtst lie tA-
'lairned. " saw your arrest announced
n the papers, and hurried back at once"
A word explained all.
And then George met Mildred's eyes
ooking so tearfully and lovingly into his
'wn, that, forgetting all, he was about to
asp her in his arms.
But that letter !" he said, drawing
,ack with sudden con traint.
What letter 2"
The one in which you declared all
vas over between us"
Mildred's surprise was sufficient
nsWer
Then that was another Of Silas Grim.
rims forgeres ~ cried George, instinc
lively guessing the truth.
Two happy weddings speedily followed.
And we are pleased to be able to add
hat, as a husband, George Jasper isn't
it jealous.