The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-03-09
MARIoN'S TRUST.


thirty-fve and lived upon farm in a
small New England village. The only mem
bers of his household. besides himself,
ware Dennis O'Brien. his man-servant,
Mrs. Watson, his house keeper. and Ma
rion Clark, who assisted Mrs. Watson in
performing the household duties
He lived very secluded life. and had
very few near neighbors. His property he
inherited from his father, and he was said
to be the richest man in the country.
At the close Of dull November day, he
vas busly employed, III what served him
as sitting room, library. and office. in
looking over package Of papers, when he
was interrupted by Dennis.
What is it, Dennis = he inquired, look
ing up from his paper
"A dispatch, sir. from b -: il has
Just arrived.
Mr. Clifford took it. and cooked it over,
then turning To Dennis, exclaimed
Dennis, harness up Immediately, and
prepare to take me To H Here Ma
rion, as he observed her passing the door,
Il wish you to take care Of these papers
for me and in this drawer, walking to
an old-fashioned secretary that stood in
one corner. is package Of money that |
intended 10 invest Tomorrow, but INV sud-
den journey 10 B will prevent.
Are You going away to remain all
night, sir /! timidly inquired Marion.
Yes, ! have Just received telegram in
forming me II the dangerous illness Of an
old friend, one whom knew in my school
boy days, and We entered into an agree
ment with each other, that when one Of US
tai 4 al hot
the other should, ii by any means possible,
visit him have Just received intelligence
that this friend is dying. and 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.
10 you know, sir if you shall be gone
iLors thai. one night she asked.
II cannot tell, he replied. Probably
not. shall hire conveyance home from
the station at H, as Dennis will not
know when to come for me-
At this moment Dennis reappeared, re
quiring inf, rmation regarding the horse to
he taken. Mr.. Clifford went down with
him, leaving Marion to collect the scattered
papers. These she put into the drawer
designated by Mr. Clifford, closed it, locked
it, and put the key in her pocket. She
then replenished the fire, and drawing an
armchair near, sat down and busted her
self with book.
Soon she heard the departure Of the
carriage, and Mrs. Watson closed the door,
after which she ascended the stairs and en-
tered the room where Marion sat. They
remained their until they heard the sound
Of wheels, when they both descended tothe
kitchen. 1t was Dennis returned from
H. After he had taken care Of his
team, he and Mrs. Watson together pro-
ceeded to close up the house He then i'm
mediately proceeded to his chamber Mrs.
Watson also retired, and Marion again en-
tered the sitting-room. She locked the
door and withdrew the key, with the inten-
tIon Of passing an hour or two in reading.
But she found the book less interesting
than before, 80 she closed it and gazed al
stractedly into the fire. And with strange
persistency her mind ran upon all the hor-
rible stories she had ever read or heard.
In vain did she picture to herself happy
home, with herself as mistress, flor Marion
was but nineteen, and like all young girls,
was given to building castles in the air J
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 rob
berry, which had been in her thoughts fol
years.
Determined, at last, to rid herself Of
such foolish thoughts, she arose and walked
to the window but it was dark without
50 dark that she could not see the least
thing-not even the trees that stood in the
! front Of the house. AS she walked back
to her seat she cast her eyes around the
room, to assure herself that everything was
as it should be, and put out the light. The
fire afforded light enough 80 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 assas
sins had left her and in a short time she
was asleep.
She had slept, perhaps, for two or thret
hours, when she was awakened by slight
noise. She could not tell at first, what il
was, but it was soon repeated, and she
knew that some one was trying to UNLOCK
the door. In short time they succeeded
and she heard them stealthily cross the
room. By this time the fire had burned
down and the room was in total darkness
but the robber brought with him darl
lantern, which he placed upon the secre
tary in such position that Marion coult
see his movements plainly while she wa
entirely hidden from view She sat ther'
and watched him, almost stupe6ed with ter
ror, until he had succeeded in fitting q KEY
into the drawer which contained the pack
age of money, and opened it. Then sh'
thought, If he should chance to see me af
ter he obtains the money, he would no