South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-01-26

evening He was paying bis last visit
20 Marian Gilbert, Who was TO become
Marian Norton tomorrow.
As the two sat together in the twilight.
marmuring delicious words OF JOY and
nope. they were interrupted by the en-
trance OF servant with the announce
mcut that two gentlemen wishec. to sec
Mr.. Norton Immediately. a
+ He'll them they must wait till anotls-
er time, salt Archie that ! am particu.
larry engaged at present.
Was to say, sir. if you please,
That the business is very pressing, and
they must see you.
4, With an impatient gesture Archie FOL.
lowed the ser, ant into the passage. where
he found himself confronted by two
rough looking men.
Mr.. Norton. Isuppose2 one OF them
i,accosted hjspsszs~~1A MA
Archie bowed assent, adding with
touch OF hanghtin SIS. q request to be in.
, formed of the object oil their visit.
It's long o that missing money, re.
Piled the man, c4rtly.
1t is necessary to explain that pack.
ct OF bank notes, brought by deposi.
tor few days before To the bank in
which Archie Norton was a clerk, had
disappeared my steriously from the re.
ceiving tellers desk, and though the
most thorough search had been made,
no trace was found OF the lost money.
Suspicion pointed naturally to some
OF the employ ee-, but fastened upon no
particular one. AL that could be done
under the circumstances was to procure
n complete description Oft he notes from
the depositor, who, fortunately hail pre-.
served 4 memorandum of their demon.
nations and numbers, and TO keep strict
watch through all available channels
with n view to discovering by whom any
of them might be put in circulation
The missing money, exclaimed Ar.
chic; has any clue been gained'of ii?
1 There has, the man answered, end
you're wanted right away.
Archie ha been among the most &C.
tive in efforts to solve the mystery, and
expressed his readiness to accompany his
visitors at once, and render all the all
in his power. asking them, to wal. till
Inc should step in and excuse his ab.
scncc.
Quite impossible, said the spokesman
OF the two. in n low doggei tone, at the
same time placing his hand on Archie'S
arm AMI lea ing him out of ear shot,
Can't suffer you ous o. our sight, you
see.
,'an't suffer me out of your sight?
No; seein' as you're our prisones,,..
| Your your prisoner the young man
gasred. Supplied with amazcment.
Yes; anil unless you wish To make a
scene. rejoined the other, the best thing
you can do is to come along quietly.
But what is the charge? asked Archie |;
surely | am not suspected
We don't suspect nothing. interrupted
the officer, which that aren't our bust
ness, which is only to take your body.
Seeing further parley was useless,
with what composure he could command
Archie after bidding the servant explain
10 Miss Gilbert that urgent business
called him away suddenly, accompanied
his custodians in silence.
At the police station he learned that
& note which he had paid out that even.
ing had been identified rs one OF those
stolen from the bank. which fact led TO
his present arrest.
I - 'N@hNh 'ho tAtNli VI biC DliNbil-
err, in whose pocket.book was found Il
number OF banknotes, every one OF which
was proved. by its number and other
distinctive features, 10 belong TO the
missing packet.
At this revelation Archie Norton
stood overwhelmed and spccchless.
Tie stunning force with which the
blow had fallen bereft him Of all power
TO make an explanation, if indeed lac
had any To offer.
Next morning received a summons
from the prisoner. with whom had been
on terms OF friendly Intercourse, and one
of whose wedding guests ! was TO he. 1
found him in his cell in a halrdazed be,
wildered state
Surely, | sail. You must he able to
account for your possession orthe notes
found upon you.
Certainly am. hc answered got
them yesterday from my uncle's execu.
tor. Mr.. Gordon, in payment Of a legacy,
was too much confused last night 10
mention that.
Mr.. Gordon is very methodical man
Of business. replied, and may he able
TO identify tie notes he paid you. In that
case the affair Will be easily cleared up,
for no one will suspect Mr.. Gordon. and
if he remembers from whom lie received
the notes. not only will your innocence
he established, hut n cIcw may he gain.
ed TO the discovery Of the real culprit.
BY the way, added, in whosec mpa-
ny were you yesterday after receiving
the money from Mr.. Gordon?
In Ralph Grayson's. he answered.
Indeed ! said. n little aston:shcd
for Ralph Grayson. fellow clerl, of Ar.
chie's had been his rival aspirant TO the
hand OF Marion Gilbert, and their rela.
tions had been far from friendly. Then
you and he have become reconciled?
Oh, YES, lie replied, hc came home
with me yesterday, and remained till |
started on my visit 90 Marian
Where was your pocketboolS mean