Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-03-07
The Missing Bank Note.

IIiG HiiSSliiS DoiIh NotO.
Archie Norton was a happy man that
evening. He was paying his last visit
to Marian Gilbert, who was 10 become
Marian Norton tomorrow.
As thu two sat together in the twi-
light, murmuring delicious words of
joy and hope, they were interrupted by
the entrance of servant with the an
nouncement that two gentlemen wished
TO see Mr.. Norton Immediately.
"TelI them they must wait till another
time" said Archie; ''that ! am part!-
cularly engaged at present"
"But was to say, sir, If you please.
that the business is very pressing, and
they must see you"
With an impatient gesture Archie fol-
lowed the servant into the passage,
where he found himself confronted by
two ough-lOoking men.
"Mr. Norton, suppose?" one OF
them accosted HIM.
Archie bowed assent, adding with a
touch of haIghtiness, a request TO be
informed of the object OF their visit.
"It'sall along o. that missing money, "
replied the man, curtly.
1t is neces sary to explain that pac-
ket of bank notes, brought by depos-
itor a few DAYS before 10 the bank in
which Archie Norton was a clerk, HAD
disappeared my seriously from the re-
ceiyins tellcr's desk, and though the
most thorough search had been made,
10 trace was found Of the lost money.
Suspicion pointed naturally to some
of the employees, but fastened upon no
particular one. All that could be done
under the circumstances was 10 procure
a complete description of the notes
from the depositor, who, fortunately,
had preserved memorandum OF their
denominations and numbers, and 10
keep strict watch through all available
channels, with a view to discovering by
whom any of them might be put into
circulation.
"The missing money! exclaimed
Archie; "has any clue been gained OF
it?''
"There has, /" the man answered, sand
you're wanted right away"
Archie had been among the most ac-
tive in efforts TO solve the mystery, and
expressed his readiness to accompany
his visitors at once, and render all the
aid in his power, asking them TO wai'
till he should step in and excuse his
absence.
"Quite impossible" said the spokes-
man Of the two, in low dogged tone.
at the same time placing his hand Oh
Archie's arm and leading him out oi
earshot-"Can't suffer you out Of our
sight you see
Cant suffer me ont of your sight,:
seNe: seein, as you're ourEprisoser.
ssYour-yeur- prisonerr' the young
man gasped, stupeiled with amazement'
.Yes; and unless you want TO maxi
a seene,'' rejoined the other, "the bes
thing vou can do is to come along
quietly" .
"But what is the charger" asked Ar
chic. ''surely am not suspected" -
1--WE don't suspect nothin'," inter
rupted the officer, (which that aren I
our business. which isoBly TO take your
body" ET -
Seeing further psrley wasuseless, witt
what composure he could command, Ar
chic, after bidding fhe servant explain
10 Miss Gilbert that urgert business
called him away suddenly, accompanied
his custodians in silence.
At the police office he learned that a
note which he had paid out that eve
ming had been identified as one OF those
stolen from the bank, which fact led to
his present arrest.
A search was then made of the prI-
soner, in whose pocketbook was found .
number of bank notes, every one o.
which was proved, by its number ano
other distinctive features, to belong tC
tine missing packet.
At this revelation Archie Norton
stood overwhelmed and speechless. The
stunning force with which the blow
nau lalitn Hstu otlFlt MN Vi al IO"ti
to make an explanation, if, indeed, he
had any to offer.
Next morning received summons
from the prisoner, with whom L had
been on terms of friendly Intercourse,
and one of whose wedding guests was
TO he. / found him in his cell, in 2
half dazed, bewildered state.
Surely" said, ''you must be able
to account for your possession of the
notes found upon You"
Certainly am," he answered; 81
got them yesterday from my uncle's
executor, Mr.. Gordon in, payment OF
a legacy. l was too much confused
last night to mention that"
"Mr. Gordon is very methodical
man of business, replied. "and may
be able to identify the notes he paid
You. In that case the affair will be
cleared up; for no one will suspect Mr..
Gordon, and If he remembers from
whom he received the notes, not only
will your innocence be established, but
a clue may be gained 10 the discovery
Of the real eulprit."