Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-04-06

tween his uncle and the lovely girl
what the cause of the singular hatred
evinced toward her in so many tritling
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 breakfast he accompanied him
on ride over the estate, to view its i'm
provements, and as they went the old
man skillfully drew out the particulars
of his nephew's life, his views and feel
ings, his plans and hopes.
his uncle into a 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 valuable papers, and the family
jewels. The little room was strongly
protected with bars and bolts, as it con,
tanned 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 enlivened with
a dance for the tenants and servants.
Considerable was the excitement,
therefore, on this sudden opening of its
doors, and many young belle prepared
to enter its gray, time-honored walls,
with curiosity awakened by the tales
of a mother or aunt.
Virginia Kedar, simply dressed in a
delicate robe of white muslin. with a
wreath of scarlet berries on her silken
hair, was the beauty of tho whole as.
semblage, and many were the whispers
as to her birth and patronage.
George Roberts had become more and
more fascinated with her, and this
evening completed his enthrallment.
For the first time in his life he was in
love. Yet he could not but notice how
his uncle scowled at him when he
danced with her, and his mind was
filled with a dozen perplexilies concern
ing her.
He 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 u lifetime to wish for
slumber. Happy visions fitted before
his eyes, in which he and Miss Kedar
played a prominent part.
Suddenly he heard q faint grating
noise in the silence of the night, al
though he could not tell from what di,
rection it came, and listening attentive
ly as it continued, he softly opened his
door. 1t sounded louder, and he per-
ceived that it came from the library.
flashed before his mind, and, without
| Il 4 h.
stairs.
The noise had ceased by the time he
reached the foot of the staircase, but he
fastened into the library as silently rs
possible. The door into the office was
ajar and a faint light perceptible. AS
George looked through the crack he
saw u dark figure bending over the
chest examining papers. A slight ex-
clama ion escaped the robber as he
took up packet of letters tied with a
broad blue ribbon and thrust it into his
breast.
Then he arose from his kneeling pos.
ture, put a bag Of gold in each pocket,
and as the light from the dark lantern
in his hand flashed for a moment in his
face, George saw a deep-red scar on his
cheek, where the black mask had slip
ped one side. The young man sprang
toward the robber, calculating on the
suddenness of the attack to be able to
knock him down, but tripping on the
unseen footstep, he fell headlong into
the room, while the robber vaulted
through the open window as lightly as
IL cat.
When George picked himself up,
there was no sign OF the thief, and while
he hesitated moment whether 10 give
chase or not, his uncle, aroused with
the noise of his fall, entered the room.
He shivered when George described the
robber, and still more when the young
man picked up glove on the tloor-a
small gray glove-delicately yet singu-
larly perfumed. Grasping it in his
hand, the old man groaned bitterly and
paced the floor irresolutely for time,
while MS nephew watched him in
amazement. Presently he turned to
the window and refastened it, shaking
his head as he examined the bolts and
saw them all unbroken. The thief had
evidently had assistance from the inside
Of the mansion.
"Don't say anything about it, George u
he said, in anxious tones. 81 know
the man; no common thief,,n and an.
other groan escaped his lips. Now
go to bed. I'll tell you more tomor,
| row."
With his mind full of this new mys
terry, the young man fell asleep. When
he had breakfasted message came from
his uncle in the library, and George
hastened to obey.
A feverish flush burnt on the old
mans cheek, and his manner was hur
ried and impatient, very unlike his
usual naughty serenity. Motioning his
nephew to seat, he plunged into the
subject on his mind without further re
Election.
"Those papers taken last night
George, from the iron chest, were of in
calculable value to me-" the old mar
said, vehemently. "Restore them tC
me, and you command anything | own
Renounce your profession for time
devote your life to the search if neec
be, and Locksley Grange shall be YOU
reward. will make my will this very
day. and he rose from his chair, re
garding the young man with eager gaze
George hesitated, overwhelmed witt
the idea. Ambition was strong within
him, but life was before him, and the
reward great.
"But Miss Kedar?h he murmured.
"You love that grl?" said the ole
man with sneer. "Oh, fate, fateI'
ayes, Uncle Paul. | do love her,
said George, boldly. "Add her hand t.
| your offer and | will piya p,ysalf nm I,