The Placer herald., 1872-03-16
M4ARION'S TRUST.


of his household, besides himself, were Den
mis- 0 'Brien, his man-servant, Mrs. Watson
his housekceper, and Marion Clark, who as
sisted Mrs. Watson in performing the house
hold duties.
He lived a very secluded life, and had
very few near neighbors. His property he
inherited from his father, and was said to be
the richest man in the country.
At the close of dull November day he
was busily employed, in what served him as
a sitting room, library and office, in looking
over package of papers, when he was in
terruptea by Dennis.
"What is it, Dennis ?" he inquired, look
ing up from bis paper
ga dispatch, sir, from B; it has just
arrived"
Mr.. Clifford took it and looked it over,
and then exclaimed:
"Dennis, harness up Immediately, and
prepare to take me to IL. | wish to
get there in season to take the last train to
B. Here Marion" as he observed her
passing the door, 81 wish you to take care
of these papers for me; and in this drawer, -
walking to an od-fashioned secretary that
stood in one corner, "is package of money
that intended to invest tomorrow, but my
sudden journey to B will prevent"
care you going away to remain all night,
sir 2 timidly inquired Marion.
eyes, have just received telegram in
forming me of the dangerous illness of an
old friend, one whom knew in my school
boy days, and we entered into an agreement
with each other, that when one of us was
taken away, OR on our dying bed, that the
other should, if by any means possible, visit
him. l have lust received intelligence that
this friend is dying, and l must try and
catch the train for B tonight. Dennis
will take me to H, but will get back
here before it is time to shut up the house;
so you need not feel any afraid during my
absence"
''Do you know, sir, if you shall be gone
more than one night p she asked.
81 cannot tell, . he replied, Probably not
| shall hire a conveyance home from the sta
ton at Il, as Dennis will not know
when to come for me.
AT this moment Dennis reappeared, re-
quiring information regarding the horse to be
taken. Mr.. Clifford went down with him,
leaving Marion to collect the scattered papers.
These she put into the drawer designed by
Mr.. Clifford, closed it, locked it, and put
the key in her pocket. She then rcplenished
the fire, and drawing an armchair near, sat
down and busted herself with a book.
Soon she heard the departure of the car
riage, and Mrs. Watson closed the doors,
after which she assembled the stairs and en-
tered the room where Marion sat. They
remained there until they heard the sound of
wheels, when they both descended to the
kitchen. 1t was Dennis returned from H.
After he had taken care of his team, he and
Mrs. Watson together proceeded to close up
the house. He then Immediately proceeded
to bis chamber. Mrs. Watson also retired,
and Marion again entered the sitting-room.
She locked the door and withdrew the key,
with the intention of spending an hour or
two in reading. But she found the book less
interesting than before, so she closed it and
sat gazing abstractedy into the fire. And,
with a strange persistency, her mind ran
upon all the horrible stories she had ever
read or heard. In vain did she picture to
herself happy home, with herself as mis-
tress (for Marion was but nineteen, and like
all young girls, was given to building castles
in the air); in vain did she try to bend her
thoughts to any other subject; her visions,
bright and golden, all ending with thought
of the money in the drawer, and that it was
in her care, and she must guard it in spite
of everything. And then she would 60 over
in her mind the particulars Of some robbery,
which had been in her thoughts, perhaps,
for years.
Determined, at last, to rid herself of such
foolish thoughts, she arose and walked to the
window; but it was dark without-so dark
that she could not see the least thng-not
even the trees that stood in front of the
house. As she walked back to her seat she
cast her eyes around the room to assure her
self that everything was as it should be,
and put out the light. The fire afforded
light enough so that she could see all parts
of the room distinctly, and drawing her chair
little nearer, and throwing shawl over
her shoulders, she settled herself down for a
nap having made up her mind to remain
there for the night. Her visions Of robbers
and assassins had left her, and in a short
time she was asleep
She had slept, perhaps, for two or three
hours, when she was awakened by slight
noise. She could not tell, at first, what it
was, but it was soon repeated, and she knew
that some one was trying to unlock the door.
In a short time they succeeded, and she
heard them stealthiy cross the room. BY
this time the fire had burned down and the
room was in total darkness, but the robber
brought with him dark lantern, which he
| rIaca1. on tbe secretarv in such a position
that Marion could see his movements plainly
while she was hidden from view She sal
there and watched, almost stupified with ter
ror, until he had succeeded in fitting a key
into the drawer which contained the package
of money. and opened it. Then she thought
''if he should chance to see me after he oo
tains the money, he would not hesitate to
| mnrder me- . So she resolved to make one