The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-04-28

| him. as the Jniet seemed to have entered
that way at least, according TO Silas Dag
gett, though Deacon Rankin did remind
him that somebody discovered that q win
dow in the back part of tho store was un-
fastened. And then that half of the bro
ken key found in Wills pocket For her.
self, she had not the slightest doubt as to
how it came there /; but could the pub
lie ever be brought to believe that Silas
Daggett had been guilty of so base an
act
The next few days were full of anxiety
and suspense, that tried her sorely. Will
was examined and committed for trial.
Syl began to feel that she must do some
thing. She went down to the store, one
morning, with no definite purpose in her
mind, but with the shadow Of hope that
she might make some discovery. Silas
'Daggett, who had grown more sender and
devoted to her every day since Wills ar
rest, was radiant with delight at receiving
a visit from her. Nothing daunted by Syl's
GOODNESS, he described to her, at great
length, the means which the burglar must
have undertaken to secure the money.
" But would like to see the window
which father said was found to be unfast-
ened, Syl said, interrupting him. And he
led the way toit but at the same time as
surfing her, very rervously and with un-
necessary vehemence, Syl thought, that it
was impossible the thief could have enter
ed in that way.
Syl looked out of the window, which was
some distance from the ground, and her
eye was instantly attracted by foot prints
in the soil below. 1t was November, and
the weather had become suddenly cold, and
foot prints made in the yielding ground
had frozen there securely. Somebody had
climbed in at, and jumped out of the win
dow The tracks ran down beside the
building, and ended at that window. Syl
said nothing, but it seemed to her that Silas
Daggett must hear the loud, fierce beating
of her heart.
She flew home on the wind and rushed
up stairs to Daggett's room and found a
pair of boots in his closet. Hardly waiting
to put piece of paper around them, she
hurried back to the store. But she did not
wish to be seen this time SO she went
through back street, and stole slyly to
that spot beneath the window. And Silas'
boots fitted exactly into the tracks Syl
had expected it, but she was wild with be-
light, nevertheless.
If Aunt Dorcas could have seen the
frantic hugging which she bestowed upon
Silas boots she would have been more
fully convinced that her prophecy would be
fulfilled. But Syps delight was little
dampened, before she reached home, by
the reflection that the discovery she had
made might not be considered sufficient
proof of Silas Daggett's guilt. She carried
the boots back to his room with her heart
divided between hope and fear. AS she
caught by some bits of paper, which he
had evidently used in shaving, lying on the
bureau.
They were small pieces of letter, and
Syl looked them over half curiously, half
carelessly, until she read something that
UlduO uSE ucdTb Dtdb ldbUcT.
"Don't be afraid of little job like
that" she read, by putting two of the
pieces together. 500 it yourself" was
another. 90 In your coat, between the lin
ing and the outside, was another.
"What if that meant the money?
What if he had hidden the money in that
way" thought syl. She ransacked his
closet and searched all his coats in vain
and then she sat down and deliberated,
with what result will be seen by the next
action.
at want you and Mr.. Daggctt and
Sheriff Allen to 60 down to the store with
me-" she said to her father at the dinner
table. 81 have made discovery that
think may be of some importance" -o
The deacon stared as If he thought she
must have taken leave of her senses, and
silas Daggett grew a shade paler-or was
It only Syrs fancy? But they granted her
request, after a little laughter and jesting
about her discovery"
She led them quietly around to that
spot under the back window where the
tracks were. The Sheriff opened his eyes
wide at sight OF the tracks, and said
"It is strange that these were not seen
before. Here is evidently where the fellow
got in.'' aa I'D h9H1m G.op H
"Winiyou ask Mr.. Daggett to step into
them 9'' said Syl, quietly. .t
They all laughed a little uneasily.-