Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-12-13
A STRANGE ADVENTURE.


Orville was one of those sober little
American towns which a certain class
of novelists so delight to select as the
scene of their romances, and which fire.
quently lie asleep for so long a period
of time that it is a positive blessing
when something out of the ordinary
course of events happens, to awake
them out of their state of lethargy.
Orville had been asleep for almost
twenty years. when an event occurred,
which, together with the attendant in
cidents, completely aroused the whole
town.
Orville was situated on Lake Wanona,
one of the most charming little sheets
of water in our inland States. In Sc
cluded valley, shut out as it were, from
all the rest of the world by the sur
rounding hills, with a solitary majestic
mountain keeping silent vigil over the
slumbering scene, lay the beautiful
lake, and, on its margin, the beautiful
town. The spot was all that poet
might fancy, or a romantic lover sigh
for; and when there was advertised "a
new summer resort, the Orville House,
at Orville," with every accommodation,
etc, ETC., it is not surprising that many
persons, who had been struck by the
surprising beauty of the place, as they
caught flying glance of it in the whiz-
zing train, should respond Immediately
to the opportunity and eng age to spend
the summer or autumn months at so
charming a resort.
Among the earlier guests at the Or
vile House, were Charles Lacy, a tai
1, rf Il
Col. Harris, and his niece, Matte Har-
ris, and Mr.. Van Haven, handsome
young merchant of New York.
Charles Lacy and Matte Harris had
been playmates in their childhood: but
the former had removed from his ma
tive place in his fifteenth year, and had
never met the sweetheart of his boyish
days until time had transformed him
into the full stature of a man. Both
were now so completely changed that
they met at Orville as entire strangers,
and were only recognizable to one an
other by the mention of their names
and place of residence. The acquaint-
ance, thus renewed, ripened into ardent
love, and Charles Lacy considered him
self the luckiest fellow on earth.
did you hear the news, Mattiep"
asked Lacy one morning, as his be-
trothed seated himself at the breakfast
table by her side.
"No; what is itP''
johnson & Co., bankers in this
town, have been robbed of over $780,
0OO."
"You don't say so! When did it oc-
curP''
"Some time during the earlier part
of the morning, the thief, whoever he
is, made pretty fair haul of it-left the
firm with very small sum for its own
pocket-book. 1t was a private bank
ing house, and involves many of the
leading business men of the town."
And they haven't secured the guilty
partiesp"
"No; and not likely to do so, either.
Men who take such goodly sums as
this generally secure safe avenue of
escape. But l can tell you this" he
added, lowering his voice, and inclin-
ing his head toward hers, suspicion
falls on the Orville House, but no one
individually, so far as | am aware Of"
Just then waiter placed letter by
his side, saying: Something for Mr..
Lacy"
1t read thus: "Come to Dalton at
once. Your presence is needed imme-
diately at Mr.. Greenup's. Don't delay.
A. H."
"What is thisP Come to Dalton at
once. A. H. Who can that possibly
bep But I'll CO."
I'm called away for little while,
Mattie," said he in explanation, re-
placing the note in the envelope, "but
| expect to be back soon. must 90
forthwith" and pressing her hand, he
left the breakfast room, hurriedly
packed few necessary articles in his
valise and was at the station Just in
time to catch the morning train.
1t was evening. The calm round
moon smiled upon the placid little lake
in all her pensive glory. Nature
breathed her soft musical murmurlng,
and everything seemed to whisper,
"Peace, peacep'
But the heart of Matte Harris knew
anything but peace as she left the gay
crowd of thoughtless dancers in the
brilliantly-lighted hotel, for ap atmos-
phere more in harmony with her sad
dened spirit. Her heart was very heavy
tonight. She wandered listlessly down
to the waters edge. A little boat lay
moored there. She seated herself in
it, where she felt she could be undis-
turbed in her lonely meditations. Her
thoughts soon found utterance:"
"What a changer' she murmured,
'what a change from our happy con-
dition of week ago! 1 can hardly re-
alize it! A bank robbed and Charles
arrested as the perpetrator of the rob-
berry and thrown into prison! How
could they suspect himP Yet the cir
cumstances are very mysterious, and a
hasty investigation points to him. 1t
is evident to me, though, that he only
left Orville temporarily-that he was
really called away. Strange that he
should have destroyed the letter, and
that it turns out that there is no such
person as Greenup and Dalton! 1t is
not at all strange that he should have
become excited when couple of men
laid their hands upon him as he was
getting out OF the train, and told him
he was thief, and was wanted imme-
diately at Oryille. Who wouldn't get
excited-What nonsense they allege!
They say he might have written the
note himself and passed it through the
post. But l know that he has not the
least link of connection with the affair;
and the authorities have no right to
commit him to prison when he can OBJ
tain bail from half a dozen different
persons. But the people here are so
excited that they will listen to moth
ing" A tear trickled down her pale
cheeks. "Pshawr' I'll not be such a
baby; all will be right YETI
She sat in the boat until the lights in
the different departments of the hotel
gradually disappeared, and was Just
about 10 rise and return TO the house,
when a figure coming down the path
toward her induced her to retain her
seat The figure proved to be that of