Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-06-05

lighted with appreciative feeling, met
his, and revived the sympathy and Won
der he had felt at MS uncle's cruel non
chalance in alluding to her dependent
position. When the ladies retired, and
the political question of the day came
up, the young lawyer so startled the
older men with his brilliant eloquence,
with his fresh and racy opinions so
powerfully put, that they felt them
selves in the presence of master spirit
which would soar far upward when its
wings were fledged. Long did George
Roberts sit by his tiickering fire before
he retired to rest, wondering what
that lovely girl-what the cause of the
singular hatred evinced toward her in
so many trifing things. His uncles
morning greeting was cordial and kind
ly, seeming to have lost that disagree
able air of patronage which had so
grated upon his manhood the day be-
fore. After breakfast he accompanied
him on ride over the estate to view it's
improvements, and as they went the
old man skillfully drew out the partic-
ulars of his nephew's life, his views and
feelings, his plans and hopes. In the
afternoon Georf accompanied his un-
Gle into 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
contained other articles of value.
The next day a grand dinner and ball
was to be given, to which all the gentry
of the county were invited, and the
lower hall was also to be enlivened with
a dance for the tenants and servants.
Considerable was the excitement, there
fore, on this sudden opening of it's
doors, and many young belle prepared
to enter it's grey, time-honored walls.
with a curiosity awakened by the tales
of mother or aunt. Virginia Kedar,
simply dressed in a delicate robe of
white muslin, with q wreath of scarlet
| berries on her silken hair, was the
beauty of the whole assemblage, and
many were the whispers as to her birth
and parentage. 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 scovled at
him when he danced with her, and his
mind was filled with a dozen perplexi-
ties concerning her.
He lay wide-awake until he heard the
great 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 and Miss Kedar
played prominent part. Suddenly he
heard faint grating noise in the
silence of the night, although he could
not tell from what direction it came,
and, listening attentively as it continu-
ed, he softly opened his door. It
sounded louder, and as he perceived it
came from the library. The chest and
its valuable contents flashed before his
mind, and, without pausing an instant,
he stole down stairs. The noise had
ceased by the time he had reached the
| foot of the staircase, but he hastenen-
| ed into the library as silently as posi-
! BILE. The door into the Office was aiar,
and a faint light perceptible AS
George looked through the crack, he
saw a dark figure bending over the
| chest, examining papers. A slight ex-
clamatlOn escaped the robber as he
took up a packet of letters, tied with a
broad blue ribbon, and thrust it into
his breast. Then he arose from his
kneeling posture, put bag of gold
in each pocket, and as the light from
the dark lantern III his hand flashed for
moment in his face, George Roberts
saw deep, red scar on his cheek,
where the black mask had slipped one
side. The young man sprang toward
the robber, calculating on the sudden
ness of the attack to be able to knock
him down, but tripping on the unseen
footstep he fell headlong into the room,
while the rosber vaulted through the
open window as lightly as cat
When George picked himself up there
was no sign of the thief, and while he
! hesitated a moment whether to give
chase nor OF his uncle, aroused with the
noise of his fall, entered the room He
snlvered when George described the
robber, an | still more when the young
man picked up glove on the foor-s,
small grey glove-delicately yet singu-
larly perfumed. Grasping it in his
hand the old man groaned bitterly, and
paced the floor irresolutely for time,
while his nephew watched him in
amazement. Presently he turaed to
the window and re-fastened 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" he said, in anxious tones. "I
know the man; no common thief, and
another groan escaped his lips. ''Now
go to bed. [ will tell you more to-
morrow.
With his mind full of this new mys
terry the young man fell asleep. When
he had breakfasted o message came
from his uncle in the library, and
George hastened to obey A feverish
flush burnt on the old mans cheek, aHd
his manner was hurried and impatient,
very unlike his usual naughty serenity
Motloning his nephew to a seat, he
without further reflection.
"ThOse papers taken last night,
George, from the iron chest, were of
| incalculable value to me-" the old
man said, vehementiy. "Restore them
to me, and you command anything [
own. Renounce your profession for a
time, devote your life to the search, if
need be, and Locksley Grange shall be
your reward. will make my will this
very day" " and he rose from his chair,
regarding the young man with eager
gaze. George hesitated, overwhelmed
with the idea. Ambition was strong
within him, but life was before him,
and the reward great.
"But Miss Kedar 2" he murmured.
"You love that girl2" said the old
man, with a sneer. "Oh, fate, tate I"
Eyes, Uncle Paul, [ do love her, +"
said George boldly. "Add her hand
to your offer, and 1 give myself up to
your Will"
A great struggle seemed raging with
in the old mans breast, and he paced
the floor rapidly.
Young man, you are honorable, "