The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-11-15

"Dear father, and until now you
have always led me to believe that the
amount paid half yearly was to discharge
debt of yonr own." =,
My darling, was it to your interest
to know the truth2 When your brother
left England you were but child. Up
to tonight it has been my constant en-
deavor to hide tho real facts of the case
from you. 1had hoped to have paid off
the whole amount before you got mar
rled. Toms proposal tonight, how
ever, has frightened the secret out of
me, for could not allow him to marry
You without knowing the truth"
And now do know it, Mr.. Webb"
exclaimed Tom, who had been trying to
speak for some time, but had been un-
able to do so, owing to q strange sensa-
tion rs Of marbles rolling up his throat,
and determination of his eyes to water
-"now L do know it, I am more than
ever desirous of making Polly my wife.
l thought of having the banns put up
next week, and then we con be married
before another month is over our heads"
But, Polly, is not that rather soon2"
His daughter was at that moment en-
gagged in attending to tho fire. the
brightness of which had, during the re-
cital of Abel's revelation, become some
what dimmrd. Just after he spoke q
CHEEKY flame again shot forth and dis
closed happy smile upon Polly's face
and blush upon her cheek, forming
quite sufficient answer to the question.
Well, my children, do rs you will"
Tom Smith sprung from his chair and
was wrlnglng Abcps hands in token of
gratitude, when the sound of footsteps
ascending the stairs caught Abers ear.
"Here, Polly quick with the CANDLE"
he cried ; there is some one wants us,
or has mistaken the hoor.'
The room had hitherto been illumi-
mated solely by the fitful CLEAN of fire,
and just as Polly had got the candle
alight the door was opened, and in
strode Mr.. Baker-Baker junior-whom
Abel had lett but an hour and a half
before.
"Oh! Abel" said Baker, with his
broad ruddy face glowing with excite
ment, I'm SO glad I've found you at
home. I've good news for you-news
that'll make your heart leap from your
BOSOM"
What-what is it ?" exclaimed Abel,
whilst Polly and her bethrothed looked
on in amaZement. =
Why, your boy Sam-he who. eight
of robbing ua-is proved to have been
innocent"
Abel sunk back in his chair, his face
grew pale, and his hands clutched the
wrists of Tom Smith and his daughter,
who had rushed to his side.
"How-how do you know this 2" he
gasped.
can hour after you left my office
letter writer from Australia was de.
livered-it was written by gentleman,
q magistrate in Melbourne, and was to
the effect that our late cashier, Robert
Wilmot, having received fatal injury
through being run over in the streets, |
In his last moments made q deposition |
before the legal authorities that your
son was innocent, that himself had ap-
propriated the moneys of the firm, and
in order to conceal his own delinquen-
cies was compelled to fix the guilt upon
some one else. The official papers will |
arrive by next mail. Abel, believe me,
no person is more rejoiced at this intel
ligence than myself"
The old man was in tears-he could
not speak, but the pressure he gave the
extended hand evinced his belief in
Baker Juniors sincerity.
"And, Abel, continued thenew conner,
"it gives me great pleasure-more
than can tell yon-to hand You bark
your ninety pounds. Both my father
and myself resolved never to touch a
penny of it; if you had died before you
were satisfied you had discharged the
sum we should have handed over the
money to your daughter. I am de-
lighted, however, to give it back to you
personally; and if you will come to our
office to morrow, will hand you over
the five per cent. interest. Goodbye,
Abel. I feel myself an intruder now.
Goodbye, and Heaven bless you, my
honest fellow !"
Baker, junior, who seemed with every
word to become thicker and thicker in
his utterance, then placed in Abel's lap
small canvas bag which gave forth
blinking sound, and once again heartily
wfinging the old mans hand, bounced
from the room ere any one could bid
him farewell.
"Polly, Polly" whispered Abel,
"give me that workbox."
The girl knew what he wanted, and
placed the box before him. She saw his
fingers draw from its contents of pre-
cious relics of bygone day tiny
baby's shoe which had never belonged
to her. The old man held it within his
hand, and after gazing at it for few Sec
onds, drew it reverently to his lips and
murmured: "My boy innocent, my
boy innocenti Oh, that he had lived to
see this day I"
Tom Smith stole his arm around the
waist of bis bethrothed and drew her to
the window. They raised the blind,
and, looking out, witnessed the heavens
resplendent with myriad stars and a
bright crescent shaped moon.
Polly, dear, it's the first day of the
new moon. You ought to wish and