The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-21

~ his same FRANK mai been tue source
OF untold sQuabbles between myself and
Marian; holding fairly good position in
the city for an unmarried man, and vel
always getting into debt.
Presently I heard Marian enter the
house. With the letter In my hand
confronted her. She turned first white
and then red, and asked me by what right
gentleman entered lady's private room
and read her correspondence.
paid no attention to this high.hown
language, but replied by asking her with.
er she had been out to post letter. She
admitted she had.
ITO Frank" inquired.
II decline to say" she replied, haugh.
Containing money! asked.
THAT also decline to say" she replied
Here was pretty pass things had come
tony own wife openly refusing 10 an.
swer my questions! What was 70 think?
think any one else in my place would
have come to the same conclusion did
namely, that the letter was to Frank, and
that 1t contained money. A lew inquiries
at the Postoffice confirmed my supposi-
ton. From the time OF this discovery a
cloud seemed to have settled over our tsu.
ally happy household. Marian was sui.
len and angry, and sat at the head OF the
table without speakinga word. Between
meal times scarcely ever saw her. Mar
tina sided with her mistress, and always
looked at me responsibility.
In the mean time other cases were
pressing hard and fast upon me. In spite
ola rigid examination could discover no
clue to the lost money. OF course, had
been obliged to make II good, aud, in or
der to do this, had drained myself Of every
available farthing.
These events happened at a tlmeo year
whep it was impossible to call in many out.
standing debts; so that after a while OF des-
perate struggle against our unfortunate
circumstances, | was compelled sorely
against my will, to appeal to my father.
And this while had not been inert about
the lost money, but had held several dis.
Cussions with detective. A fear OF incur
ring additional expense had deferred me
from setting him to work; but as be seem.
ed TO think that to trace the money
would be the easiest thing in the world, |
at last gave him authority to commence
strict investigation.
From the detectivesI went to my father,
and plainly stating the facts, asked him il
he would lend me the sum had lost
This he agreed to do, and the conversation
turned on family matters generally. The
unhappy GOODNESS which had arisen be-
tween myself and Marian was presently
discussed, and when my father taxed me
with unkindness toward her, / felt bound
70 explain to him Franks demand, and
her resentment OF my interference.
My mother stat ted up suddenly from q
fit Of thinking and piled me with ques-
tons.
"Was Marian the only person who had
access to the sideboard?"
"As far as know, the only person." |
replied.
"And did you say her letter to her
brother Frank contained money!"
"Yes; a P. o. o. for ten pounds"
"Had she ten pounds OF her OWN"
"Not that know Of"
"WRs she likely to have saved it from
her allowances LOT housekeeping or private
purposes?"
very unlikely, indeed"
''Then," my mother continued, at
seems to me that the nearer home you
look for your money the sooner you will
find 1t"
When arrived home my mind was torn
and distracted by conflicting opinions. l
lett very anxious to discover some sign Of
innocence, or may be guilt,
Marian" / said, as gently as could,
where did you get the money from that
you sent to Frank"
She started, and turned quickly round
upon me.
GLOW did you know I sent money to
Frank%
Never mind how knew it?" replied.
"Where did You obtain i'll You must an.
swer me that question before you leave
this room" | added, more sternly; for her
her evasion OF my question disQuieted me.
She looked at me steadily in the face for
a moment, then dropping her eyes and
claspIng her hands tightly together, she
exclaimed:
II see now the drift Of your question.
The money was lost at the same time
sent some to Prank. Harold, you suspect
me-your own wife-of being the tElief,
and you have sent that man Il saw he was
a detective immediately to track me out
and prove this against me. Do you in.
tend to send me 10 prison?"
Marian" answered excitedly, "when
sent that man here no such suspicion
had ever occurred to me, and now that |
must confess It has, one word from you
will dispelit; or, II It should DO otherwise
here extended my hand to her, but she
flung 1t from her), you have only to ac'
knowledge it to obtain my free forgive.
ness"
"Your forgiveness" she added haught-
lly ~ do not need it," and without an'
other word she left mo.
For some minutes remained stunned
possible that Marian was guilty? Iwould
never believe 1t. And yet she had not at
tempted to deny 1t. Again, the anxiou:
face she had lately worn, together with
tho other circumstances Of the case, served
only to confirm the Idea. Would that i
had not been SO, or, even being so, thu
she would come to me for the reconcilia
ton ] was longing for, and the forgive
meas I was only too ANXIOUS To hestowl
A day or two after this found mote
awaiting me when went home 10 dinner
J The handwriting was Marian's, and ny
! delight at seeing II was SO great that kiss
ell Il again and again. Eagerly l openet
r it and read it. thread as follows:
0 "The society Of thief cannot be con
!. genial. For that reason have kept on
Q q your way til made up my mind wAa
] to do. shall not trouble you any more
d Baby and / have gone to my father.
! know you oar, claim baby Il you 500 A. =
A Il :. ta1r will
better for him 10 be with me. Do not as
s me TO come back. Inever can. The mis-
y cradle life l have been leading latel
would soon have killed me, and my lie
b precious to my child.
n "Your unhappy vile, !,
i That was all, excepts few words at tn
d end that had been hastily scratched oI
Of which ! could distinguish epIy'"o
It HarpldW az, !,