The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-06-27
THE GIRL DETECTIVE.

The door Of Rufus Markhams counting room
was securely closed, and the proprietor of the
large. hourishing cotton factory talked earn
estly with geGtlcmanly looking man Of mid
die age, whose face was as impressive as wax
mask
Give thousand dollars" said the individual.
"It was large sum to leave exposed
"Exposed!' said Mr.. Markham. at was in
my private DESK to which no one has access
but myself and my nephew, Fred Tryon."
Would it be possible the young gentle
man
.;Sir." said Mr. Markham. Indignantly, my
nephew is not thief. If lie needed ten times
that sum he knows | would give it freely to
him. He will be my heir, ard is as dear to me
as q son. 1t is simply absurd TO connect him
in any way with this robbery"
"Just state the matter again, briefly as you
can, and allow me to take notes. will you, Mr..
Markham?
"Certainly. drew five thousand dollars ont
of bank yesterday, to meet note that WAS not
presented for payment. Retaining it until
after the bank was oSed, concluded to lock
it in my desk until this morning, and did so.
At nine O'Clock this morning the expected note
was presented, and I opened the desk. The
money was gone, and with it q small memo
randum book that was in the same roll"
"The lock was not forced?'
NO Hi 'Hc o'eA "'s apparently 'N'|'s
as left it.
And Mr. Tryon has the only duplicate
koy?"
The old gentleman frowned. He was evil
IDENTIFY displeased at the turn the detective S
suspicious seemed to be taking.
"My nephew certainly has tie only duplicate
key
Him yes. You have tie numbers of the
notes?'
eyes. The roll consisted of ten iive-hun-
dred-dollar notes"
The list of numbers being taken, the detec-
tive made searching examination of the
apartment, and prepared to take his departure.
Az hc stood near the door, Mr.. Markham sud-
denly said, neryously:
II think, Mr.. Vogdes. if You make any dis
covcries, you had better report to me privately
before making any arrests
Certainly. sir, if you desire it. VIII you
grant me one favor? Do not mention the rob-
berry to Mr.. Tryon, if you have not done so
already
"No one has heard of it but yonrself.'
every good! I will call again when have
any report to make"
Erred Fred :" the old gentleman said in q
low tone, when he was alone; "Eogdes c,i-
dently thinks it is Fred 1t cannot be , 1t is
impossible that my nephew would rob ne. !
cannot believe it. And yet he knew the money
was there. He was here when handed Arnold
the check. and here when he returned with the
money. He knew that Johnson's note WAS not
presented. and Fred alone has duplicate key
Oh. if it should be. Annas boy. that l
promised to love as my own son. Have l not
kept my promise? Where have failed? And
why should he steal from me, when all have
is his? I cannot, l will not believe it -
MAY come in?" asked bright, pleasant
face at the door, and permission being given.
Fred Tryon entered the room. Looking into
his handsome Young face, bright and frank,
with we'll opened brown eyes, and curls Ct nut
brown hair. IL was hard to connect it vi h any
idea of roguery. ingratitudc and theft. His
manner toward the uncle, VINO had ever filled
father place, was the perfection OF respect
ful affection. and before he had been an hour
in the countiug-room, Mr.. Markham'S uneasy
fears were entirely gone.
They were talking Of certain dark-cycd
little maiden. who was soon to be Mrs. Tryon.
and when Fred left his uncle, it was with 4.
promise that he would call in the evening upon
Miss Clarkson, to finally arrange for the
wedding day.
The Young man. favorite OF fortune, appar-
entity. spent the afternoon with his bctrotlcd.
received his uncle in the evening. beside her.
and accompanied the old gentleman to his
boarding house, received an affectionatc fare
we'll, when he took up his way to his own
rooms in another house. For week he heard
nothing Of the robbery.
II was inst when summer twilight was fad
ing, that, returning from drive with Maud
Carkson, Fred met his uncle's confidential
clerk waiting for him at Mauds house.
81 have q note for you, Mr.. Fred he said
"and, as you were not at home, thought l
would wait here for you
Something in the mans face and manner
struck sudden chill to Mauds heart.
lyon have bad news ~ she cried.
"Perhaps Mr.. Fred had better read the note,
was the evasive reply.
But Mauds terror was only increased when
Fred. after reading the note, broke into Il furi-
ous exclamation Of rage.
"Who dares to say am midnight burglar?
he shouted.
"Oh, Fred, what is it?" asked Maud, turn
ing very white:
dollars. and he pays me the compliment OF
supposing me the thief because have dupli-
cate key to his private desk. I-great
heavens !" he cried, with sudden change in
his voice, she cannot mean it l rob my
uncle! l."
"NIr. Fred" said the clerk, respectfully, II
ouly waited to see how you took the note, to
speak few words Of advice. Mr.. Fred, I was
with your father when he was killed on rail-
way train; was With youruncle when he brought
You from your mothers funeral to his home.
I took you to boarding school. and brought
you home for the holidays, and I've loved you,
boy and man, since you were ten years old,
and that's twelve long years. I know You
never took the money. but things look very
ugly for YOU
but" said Fred, grasping hard the hand
the old clerk held out to him, ~ cannot under
stand it. Listen," and he read aloud the note
from his uncle:
"'MR. FREDERICK TRYoN--I could not be-