Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-01-14

"Sharp fellow, Thorley. wasn't de
ceived in him Show him up, John"
Mr.. Lyle shook hands with him warmly
when he came in; but Thorley seemed
STRANGELY reluctant, and, not noticing the
seat the merchant offered him, remained
standing on the hearth opposite, his face
pale and his eyes in an unwonted glitter.
"Glad to see you Thorley, glad to see you.
Shan't forget it if you can give me any
clue to the author of this scandalous bust
ness" Lyle said. ~ -
''Behold him!' Frank said, getting
whittier yet "a
Mr.. Lyle started
cit was I who stole your money" Frank
repeated, with a half desperate emphasis
on the obnoxious word in thssentence.
Mr.. Lyle stared incredulously a few mo-
ments still, before he could realize the
stupendousness of the fact. He was terri
bly, angry then. The very fact that he had
been so ready to vouch for young TIL orley,
made his unfaithfulness doubly culpable.
He remembered suddenly the gay life the
young man had been leading of late, vague
rumors of which had reached his ears, and
said sternly, Eff you come here thinking
to move me to thoughts Of clemency you
will find yourself mistaken"
''Not for myself, Mr.. Lyle" he said, at
last, speaking with difficulty; "but for my
mothers sake I do ask your clemency; not
to retain me in your employment, but to
give me a chance to begin again some
where else.'
"And serve some one else as you have
me 20 the merchant exclaimed, with iron
ical anger cit is rather late to think OF
your mother. young man."
81 know it, sir. If I had suffered no
other love to enter my heart but love for
her I should not stand here the guilty
wretch [ am tonight. Yet, for her sake
spare me. I am her only so1f-her only
support. If you expose me, you strike her
to the heart"
MI. Lyle made an impatient movement
Il tell you, you should have thought Of this
before. 1t is too late now; you have had
your chance and abused it wickedly. You
must take the consequences.
Thorley was trembling, and he could
hardly stand.
''Mr. Lyle" he said huskily, ''do you
know how old I am? I am nineteen, sir,
and I never touched farthing that was
not my own BEFORE"
cit is time to end this" Mr.. Lyle said,
rising and approaching the bell.
"Wait one moment, sir,'' Frank Thor
ley said, passing between him and the bell
pull, and his desperate, anguished look
stayed Mr.. Lyle an instant; ''shall I tell
you who tempted me to do this-whose
beautiful face stood between me and right
and lured me on to my ruin? AS you hope
for mercy hereafter, sir, hear me! Hear
how came to fall, and then refuse to be
merciful, if you can"
81 am listening" said the merchant.
II never saw London till three years ago,
and you yourself have commended me for
withstanding it's temptations. You know,
sir, that I neither drink nor gamble. The
smallness of the amount have taken must
prove that your money was not spent in
that way. You have been pleased to be
very kind to me, sir. Do you remember
urging upon me the acceptance of an in
vitation to party given by your daugh-
Ter? was reluctant, but I went, and
from that moment my fate was sealed. The
most fascinating as we'll as the most heart
less Of coquettes did not scorn to set her
snares for me-to dazzle me with her lovli-
ness and lure me with her smiles. There
is no intoxication like the first love of
youth, sir; don't you know that? There
is no frenzy like that inspired by a woman
who makes you love her. lived in de-
lirium; was mad on account of this wo-
man whom 1 loved, and who seemed to
loYe me, and incurred debt for her
debt which, in wild moment-a. mo-
ment when had just been scornfully cast
off by her-I paid with your money!
"What was your debt?" Mr.. Lyle asked,
briefly.
cit was for a ring"
s'A ring with a diamond set in cluster
of rubies?" said the merchant, with a flash
of remembrance.
eyes, Sir" Thorley said, reluctantly.
The merchant sat down, and motioning
Thorley to seat, remained some moments
thoughtful and with his face averted. Then
touching the bell, he waited, while Frank
Thorley covered his face with his hands
ssTen Miss Roxie wish to see her here, -
he said to the servant who answered his
summons.
Roxie was just going out; and she came
dressed as she was for the party, fleecy
white floating about her like cloud wreaths,
her lips red, her cheeks aglow, and her
eyes sparkling.
She redeemed somewhat at the sight of
Frank Thorley's CHASTITY face.
Ibid you send for me, papa?" she asked
of her father, who sat with his face in
shadow.
For reply he reached and took her un.
gloved hand in bis. 1t was dainty hand
slender, small, and white, and glitterine
with rings. He put his finger upon one, a
small diamond surrounded by rubies, and
lifted his glance to hers.
RoXie shrank little, and looked as
though she were going to cry.
Turning toward Frank Thorley, Mr.
Lyle said, upon one condition I will for.
give you. Repeat what you have just said
,, to me, in the presence of this misguided
girl"
Poor Frank Thorley! Perhaps he thought
even exposure would be preferable to such
humiliation before her whom he loved
Perhaps second thought of his mother
came and nerved him. He hesitated {