The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1873-07-17

Iolned within four weeks" said Lee, turn
ing fiom the desk
at staggers me-" returned Harley
"But we will watch the thief, and if we
catch him he shall have his reward"
The merchant began buttoning his great
coat, and the clerk walked from the
| room.
Andreas Harley heard him close and
| lock the door of the store and then STEP
ped toward the desk, his dark eyes fixed
upon the object which lay thereon.
II was the envelope upon which Philip
had been figuring.
"I1l look at his figures, he muir
INJURED.
But the next moment he turned the een-
velope, and started at the superscription.
1t was merely Philip Lee, Present y
| But the chirography startled the mer-
chant. Those delicately formed letters
he had encountered before. And after
closing the counting room door, he half
fearfully drew the letter from its hiding
place.
For a moment his eyes remained fixed
upon the brief communication, when he
started from the desk, while something
| like an oath fell from his lips
$50, Miss Maumee Martin" he ex-
claimed. hurting the letter to the floor and
gazing augrily at it, "you possess lover
besides Andreas Harley. Girl-woman-
l will not submit to this If you prefer
the employee to the employer, you must
hunt another home. But by heavens,
you shall not wed him as he stands before
the world new2 He has held the key to
the safe. He has robbed it The crime
shall be fastened upon him. Harley
chances do not look SO bright now; but
fancy that little sternness will bring
the girl to terms. She is a beggar now,
almost. Does she want to marry an
other7"
Then he picked the letter up, read it
again, and placed 1t on the desk where
the youth had left 1t.
The contents of the missive did not
amount to much. 1t was merely a reply
to one which, during business hours, Phil
ip Lee had sent her.
But the appeIlation of "Dear Philip"
had opened mine of information to An
dreas Harley. He had never encountered
his clerk at the home of the Martins
They had spoken of him but once or twice,
and then casually and he had suspected
nothing until the letter was thrown in his
way.
Several days of quiet preceded the
pursuing OF the storm.
Clerk and employer encountered each
other often, but no unusual words passed
between them. 1t was evident that An
dreas Harley was displeased at something
but he took care to conceal his displeas-
ure as much as possible.
The night following the one that wit
messed the scene in the counting room
described above witnessed the robbery Of
the safe.
This time thirty dollars were abstracted,
and Andreas Harley called one Of his
clerks, Theodore Mason, to his desk, and
acquainted him with the facts.
Mason, upon being asked if he suspec-
ted anybody, said:
"Lee."
The merchant started at the announce
ment, but flush of triumph stole to his
temples
81 saw Lee standing by the store last
night at eleven, while | was going home
from the club" continued Mason, evinc-
| ing an eagerness to unburden himself oI
something that preyed upon his mind
HE did not speak as passed him, but
perhaps he did not see me, it was raining
and he carried his umbrella Iowa little
lower than was necessary, fancy"
81 am on the right trail, said Andrea,
Harley, exultlngly. "And yet" feigning
a sorrowful tone, al do not want TO think
the purloiner is PhilipL Lee"
"Nor do l." said Mason, ''but circum-
stances condemn him. could tell you
more. Mr. Harley, but I do not like tc
speak against Philip"
Andrew Harley persuaded Theodore
Mason to unburden his mind further con.
corning Philip Lee, and that night the
accused clerk found himself in the clutch.
es of the law
The arrest was so quietly conducted
that the public was unaware of the trans.
action until the morning papers placed il
before their eyes.
Flushed with triumph, Andreas Har-
ley, on the morning following Philip Lees
arrest, fastened to the home of the Mar,
tins. He often made such calls on hi!
way to the store, and this morning h'
found the bankrupJ's family pleased to SEE
him.
Maumee was in her parlor preparing
for her class in music, and Andreas Har,
ley thought she looked lovelier than evel
IN her plain dress and unnetted hair.
He did not deff his overcoat; he saiC
he had not long to stay he had stepped
in to impart a piece of Information
which might interest the tenants of hi
house.
The daughter wondered what the new
might be, as Andreas Harley drew ,
morning journal from his pocket.
81 am sorry that have occasioned thi
paragraph" he said, touching the top of ,
column of city news, "but could no
help it"
Maumee took the paper, and in mo
ment mastered the account of Philip
arrest.
''Mr. Harley cannot you be mistaken p
she asked, when she looked from the pa
per with pallid face.
mo, Maumee the proofs are convinc
ing against him." he answered and then
while the fair girls head lay on her bo
som and her eyes, swimming in tears, fel
to the floor, he left his chair and cam,
over to her side. Girl" he said, "ii
Philip Lee anything to your" Maume
quickly drew her hand from his grasp, ant
started to her feet.
"He is something to me-" she cried
facing the merchant, through who's
scheming she seemed to have seen instant
". "He is much to me-and what i
more, Andreas Harley, he never robbet
your safe !"
| Inc meTc1AuI iOE some moments Ol1
not know what to say but at last h
found his tongue.
"Girl, he is guilty, greatly regret Il
say; but you can save him"
"How, Mr.. Harley ?"
"By becoming my wife. can liberat
him, and on such conditions the doors O
the Jail shall be opened to him."
Fire flashed in Maumee Martins darl
eyes.
"Andreas Harley" she cried, "yonde
is the door that leads INTO the street, "ant
with quivering finger she pointed to tn
portal.
This house is mine !" he added.
al care not"
al can turn you out into the snow.
There is the door I wish to live un
der such bounty as yours no longer"
81 will not go until you promise to be-
come my wife," said the merchant
sternly.
At that moment the widow entered tn
room, and Maumee sprang into the cham
ber which her mother had Just vacated
An instant later she re-appeared, bear
1f - ~.