Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-03-28
Long did GORGE Roberts sit by his

tween his uncle and the lovely glrl-
what the cause of the singular hatred
evinced toward her in so many tn
fling things.
His uncle's morning greeting was
cordial and kindly, seeming to have
lost that disagreeable air Of patronage
which had so grated on his manhood
the day before.
After bi bieakfast he accompanied
him on 4 ride over the estate, to view
its improveman end Is they weAt'
thu old man skilfully drew O. t
particulars of his nephcw's life. his
views and feelings, his plans and
hopes.
In the afternoon George accom-
plniel his uncle into u little office
adjoining the library, and saw the
tenants come in with their yearly
rents, where the bags Of silver and
gold were deposited in an iron chest
In This were secured the most valua-
bic papers, and the family Jewels.
The little room was strongly protect.
ed with bars and bolts, as it contained
other articles OF value.
The next day grand dinner and
ball was TO be given, TO which all the
gentry of the country were hidden,
and the lower hall was also TO be en-
livened with q dance for the tenants
and servants.
Considerable was the excitement
thel cfore, on this sudden opening ol
its doors, and, many young belle
prepared to enter its gray, time
ionorcd walls, with curiosity awaken
ell by the tales of a mother or aunt
Virginia Kedar, simply dressed in
a delicate robe OF white muslin with
wreath of scarlet berries on hel
s,llzen hair, was the beauty of the
whole assemblage, and many were
whispers as to her firth and ls'Sron-
age.
George Roberts had become more
and more fascinated with her, and
this evening completed his enthral-
ment. For the first time in his life he
Was in love. Yet, he could not bui
notice how his uncle scowled at him
when he danced with her, and his
mind was filled with thousand per-
pleXities concerning her.
Fe lay wide awake till he heard
the great hall clock strike three, his
heart too full Of the blissful dreams
which come but once in lifetime
to wish for slumber, happy visions
fitted before his eyes, in which he aud
Miss Kedar played a prominent part
Suddenly he heard a faint grating
noise in the silence Of the night, al
though he could not tell from which
direction it came, and listening atten.
lively as it continued, he softly opened
his door. 1t sounded louder, and he
perceived that it came from the libra
ry. The chest and its valuable con.
tents flashed before his mind anC
without pausing an instant, he stole
down the stairs.
The noise had ceased by the time
he had reached the foot Of the stair
case, but he hastened into ihe library
as silently as possible. The door int
tl,:, Office was aiar, and faint lieh
perceptibie. As George looked throasi
tLe crack, he saw figure bending
over the chest, examining papers. a
slight exclamation escaped the robbel
as lie took mp a packet OF letters tie,
with broad blue ribbon and thrus
it into hi: breast;
Then lie rose from las l;peelime
| posture, put b'g Of gold in eaci
pocket, ana ss the light from the darl
lantern in his hand flashed for Il mo
ment in his face, George saw a deel
red scar on his cheek, where Tie blacl
mask had slipped one side. The
young man. sprang toward the robber
calculating on the suddenness OF th'
attack to be able to knock him DOVE
but tripping On an unseen foot-stool
hc fell lieadlons into the raonl, wiH!'
the lobber yanited through the opcl
window as lightly as a'cat,
When George picked himself ur
there was no SIGN of the thief, ant
while he hesi;ated moment whethel
to give chase or not, his uncle, rou:et
with the noise OF his fall, entered thC
room. lie shiverel when George de
scrJed the robbcr, and still mor,
when the young man picked ny
glove.on the floor, Il small gray glove
delieaiely, yet xingularly perfumcd
Grasping it IN his hand, the old mar
grcaned bitterly and paced the fooi
iirresolntely fora time, while hisnep'!+
aw watched linn in amazement. Pres.
entity he turned to the window and
ret;,stened il, shaking his head as he
exanined the bolt. and saw the. all
nn,roken. The thief had evidently
had assistance from the inside Of The
MANSION.
Don't say anything about it
George he said, in anxious tones:
g know the naii ). 10 common thief,
and another groan escaped his lips.
"Now, 90 to bed. I'll tell you more
tomorrow.
With his mind full of this new
mystery, the young man fell asleep.
Whe1 he had brealifasted message
came from his uncle in the library
and George hastened to obey.
A feverish flush burnt on the old
mans check and lis manner was hur-
ried and impatient, very unlike lis
usual naughty serenity Motionin9
his nephew 20 y Sc t, he plunged into
the subject on his mind without fur
ther letlcction.
Those papers taken last night
George, from the iroa chest, were oi
inca!culable value 10 me-" the old
lna. said, vehemenily. " Restore
them to me. and yoa command any
thing OWE: Renouncc your PROBES
sion for time. dsgote yaur life to tie
search, if need be, and Locrs!ej
Grange shall be your reward. | will