Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-02-10

able to prove my innocence but I am
not guilty. | have never even seen the
money" Gertie was saying, when Miss
Crane angrily asked:
"Do you pretend to deny my seeing
you hiding it as l entered the room 2"
81 can, and do.
"What is this, then ?" the angry wo-
man exclaimed as darting up to Gertie.
she snatched forth a closely folded pa
per. the corner of which had worked its
way through an opening in her dress,
which the poor girl in her haste to hide
the paper had failed to button.
Impu.sively Gertie sprang forward.
and then stepped back, simply saying:
''it's not the money"
When she saw the paper unfolded,
and contemptuous smile on the wo-
mans face, she said
''She has no right to read my letters.
Make her hand it to me .
"Really p Miss Crane said, with a
mocking smile. "Mr Osborn, this is
something for your eyes, sir. Perhaps
you will not relish the thought of thief
becoming your niece This artful girl
has entrapped Mr.. Harry into propo-
sal of marriage insist that she shall
be searched, sir.
Poor Gertie She saw the look of
displeasure plainly on the old gentle
mans face What could she do ? what
say? Nothing that she could have said,
would have gone so quickly to her en-
ployer's heart as the one word which es-
capped her lips in wail'of despair:
'.Friendless y
MIR Osburn folded the letter without
looking at it, and handing it to Gertie,
said:
Il am unwilling to condemn you Miss
West, on either of Miss Cranes charges
About the first, there must be some mis-
take. | suppose it must have been my
nephew's letter that you concealed on
her entrance. Still, for your own sake,
| should like this mystery solved
You can have me searched, sir but
Miss Crane shall not do it. She hates
me. and is wicked enough to pretend
she found it on my person, do believe. .
Gertie cried Then catching hold of the
old gentleman's hand she said:
"You are just. You will help me
prove my innocence, will you not ? O.
We must find it 1t will kill my mother
if am thought dishonest. | cannot
have this dreadful suspicion on me y
Before he could reply, Miss Crane
said scornfully
Having entrapped your nephew
Just then the door opened and Harr.
Osborn entered. holding an open note ii
his hand. Her last words had reached
his ear. Looking from her excited fac
to Gertie's tear stained. and expressin.
so much agony, he was by her side in al
instant.
"What is the trouble, sir % he asked
locking toward his uncle
Miss Crane can inform you bette
than |" the old gentleman replied.
II heard Miss Cranes remark as
entered the room. Excuse me, but
must deny the assertion. | have nc
been entrapped. have been so fortu
nate as to avoid your snares." Harr
Osborn said, in tone more maliciou
than gentlemanly.
For the moment the enraged woma
was completely silenced, while Cert,
taking courage from her lovers presence
SAID:
.'Oh, Mr.. Harry, she has accused n
of something terrible. She has calle
s me a-a-
Thief Miss Crane said, her tor
and look full of venom. Yes, Harl
d Osborn | say your promised bride cann'
t boast of an unspotted reputation aft
: this. | accuse her of stealing twent,
dollar note! Let her prove her inn
cence if she can.
A look of withering 'scorn Harry .
born cast upon the woman, as, holdir
toward his uncle the open letter,
n said:
Here is the proof of Gertie West
e innocence Mrs. Dalton's servant h
+. just brought it, and 1t was for the pu
J. pose of returning the lost money that
e came up. You will see Mrs. Dalt,
D SAYS she found it in the sleeve of h
1t dress; probably dropped by Miss Graz
/ when folding it ,
ID ..Ihank Heaven p exclaimed the u
I: cle Il am glad very glad. Miss era
re I'm sorry you have been so hasty."
is it's impossible to describe Miss Gran,
to chagrin. But she would make anoth
n thrust at Gertie, and said
. IF she had not looked so guilty VIII
she hid your nephew's love-letter,
~ should not have thought of her havi
the money
- 1.-The letter the answer of which (;
W so anxious TO hear said Harry, al
O. added;
! Uncle Miss West is not my pro
w ised bride. | only wish she had ma