Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-22

A
stunned him. Rachselyou are the only witness
| Of my crime. II is between love and duty with
/ you. win you save me2"
shs answered him IN voice Just above .
aHoraoe. / osn scarcely speak. Ny poor
heart is breaking. Here, take this picture
mine--and leave this place forever"
He eagerly seized the miniature and pressed
It TO his lips, then cried, in tones of anguish
May Heaven bless you, Raohaell do love
you devotedly, wretch that am. Forgive me,
| o, forgive I"
"I do. FAREWELL"
"FArewslll"
He did not dare touch her. few hasty steps
and his oomrade dragged him away, for he was
barely able to command his own actions.
| moment more and Mr. May staggered out
His face was deathlike, and his voice weak as he
spoke.
"My child, Ihave been robbed The thief
must have passed this way. Did you see any
person3 Tell me quickly.
Her tongue refused to betray her lover. A
deadly pallor, an overpOwering faintness over
came her, and she fell into her fathers arms
saying, in an almost ianudible voice.
"Father cannot tell"
Five years from that date Mr.. May found him
self about to become bankrupt. Ruin threat
ened him In the autumn OF his life. On one
particular day the crash came. The sum of ten
Thousand dollars would save him, but where
was that to come from
The old banker sat detected aud spiritless with
his weeping daughter at his feet. He had hid
den the truth until longer concealment became
impossible. Beautiful Rachael, it was for her
sake he gTie ved.
As they fingered there stranger was Announo-
cd. He entered the room-a heavily bearded
bronzed man. still young, but evidently travelled
and experienced.
Il speak to Mr.. May, presume ?" he began
"Be seated, sir" said the banker.
The stranger took chair and continued:
Five years back you had confidential clerk,
who betrayed and robbed you"
II had, sir; but the young man was led astray
and have long ago forgiven him."
Rachael blessed her father for those words.
She looked Intently at the visitor, but he evil
IDENTIFY sought to avoid scrutiny, aud had partly
concealed mis- features in the shade Of the light.
:" As you have said, resumed the young man.
" this clerk was led astray but his conscience
held him accountable, and he resolved to repay
you every dollar"
" You knew my clerk ?" inquired Mr.. May.
"Knew him well, sir - was his intimate
friend"
Why did Rachaels heart beat so violently
This mans voice was strangely familiar.
"Yes," resumed the person, II am messen-
ger from Horace Hart, and this is his message !:
After robbing you he left the city and travelled
TO the gold regions. Fortune smiled upon him
and lavished her boards upon him. He now
sends you the amount Of money stolen from
your house with interest tn date. Here, sir, iB
certified check for ten Thousand dollars" and he
handed the check to Mr.. May.
The banker was amazed, bewildered. A mo-
ment before ruin had laid hands upon him ; now
the magic Of a golden prize lay within his
grasp
/" Daughter, we are saved !" he said, rs she
few to his arms "Saved, and by one whom we
thought dead Poor, erring Horace Tell me-
sir he added, A." where ia our benefactor. that
may forgive and blese hira o. where ?
Here!" shouted the stranger, throwing on his
reserve and facing them full. do you not rec
ognize me l am Horace Hart :"
- Horace !"
"Yes, none other, 1, myself Can you for
give me ?"
Freely my lad with my heart"
And Rachael ?"
For an answer she rushed into his arms and
hid her face upon his breast.