The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-02-25


breathed her soft musical murmurings,
and everything seemed to whisper,
Peace, pcacel"
But the heart ofMattie Harris knew
anything but peace ss she left the gny
crowd Of ,houghtlcss dancers in the
brilliantly lighted hotel, for an atmos
phere mere In harmony with her sad
dened spirit. Her heart was yer,
heavy tonight. She wandered list
lessly down to the waters edge. a
little boat lay moored there. She
seated herself in il, where she felt she
could be nndisturbed in her lonely
mc,litations. Her thosghts soon
found uttcrance:-
"what a change she murmurcd-
what change from our happy con.
dition Of q week ago! ] can hardly
realize Il! A bank robbed, and Charles
arrested as the pcrpetrator Of the rob
berry. and thrown into prison! How
could they ever suspect hims Yet,
the circumstances are very mysterious,
and hasty investigation points to
him. II is evident TO me, though, that
he only leh Orville temporarily
that he was really called away. Strange
that he should have destroyed the le.-
ter, and that it turn. out there is no
such person rs Greenup in Dalton! 1t
is not at all strange that he should
have become excited when couple Of
men laid their hands on him as he was
getting out Of the train, and told him
he was q thief, and was wanted imme-
diately at Orrville. Who wouldn't
re, excited under such circumstances!
What nonsense they allege! They say
he might have written the note him.
self, and passed it through the post.
But ! know he has not the least link
Of connection with the affair; aud the
authorities have no right to commit
him to prison, when he can obtain bal!
from half dozen different persons.
But the people here are 50 excited tina.
they will listen to nothing" A tear
tricklcd down her pale cheeks. "P.haw!
Ill not be such n baby; all will be
right yet"
She sat in the boat until the lights
in the different departments Of the
hotel gradually disappeared, and was
Just about to rise and return to the
house, when figure, coming down the
| path towards her, induced her to re-
tain her seat. The figure proved to
be that Of the young merchant, Mr..
Van Haven; Matte had always been
attracted by the handsome face, and
winning manners Of the gay New
Yorker, and rather enjoyed his socie-
ty than otherwise. So she remained
seated until he took his place by her
side.
LETS row out upon the lake. said
Van Haven, without an unnecessary
good evening" as he raised the oars
and pulled gently from the shore. at
is a very quiet night, and we shall not
be disturbed. Most Of the folks have
retired. We must move cautiously"
"why?' questioned Matte, rather
surprised ut this remark.
"Whyf Do you want to bctray
YOURSELF"
"Betray myself! Why, what are
you talking about, Mr.. Van Haven
Just then the moon, which had been
shining Oh his back, fell full upon his
face, and revealed countenance with
an unusually strange expression. and
to the great astonishment Of Matte.
the fact that her companion was asleep!
Van Haven had been known to walk
in his sleep, and perform great many
marvellous feats while in that ,ondi-
ton; and Matte Harris herself had
happened to meet him once while en-
joying a son,nambuIistic ramble. So
she was not at all frightened by the
circumstances under which she sudden
ly found herself, placed, but somewhat
astonished; and, being young lady
# a good deal Of mischief, and pos
sessed of the usual amount of curiosi-
ty, of course she determined to let her
companion continue on his nocturnal
excursion.
"What are you talking about" re-
peated Matte, her saddened features
giving place to IN amused smile.
"You know well enough what ! am
talking about. Jim. We must secure
it tonight. 1t may be found where
we have hicden it, and that would he
the last of US. That letter was
sharp thing Of ours, wasn'tit' l trem.
bic lest Lacy may be cleared-though.