The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-09-24

door and Immediately retired into ii
kitchen, without word Marian Wa
nowhere to be found | went up-stail
in search of her She was not Their,
but little table in the corner covere
with writing materials betrayed he
/ recent presence. An open letter in
handwriting that | knew and deteste
attracted my attention. Husbands hav
certain prerogatives. l asserted one a
that moment. If you care to do tn
same, here it Is; if not, skip it.
DEAR MAY-If you don't contrive t
send me SO before this day week it will b
ruination for me. Ii you send it you will
enable me to retrieve my former position
and become credit to my family.
~ ours, affectionately,
FRANK"
The young rascal what fresh mes
has he been getting into ?" | exclaimed
angrily. This same Frank had beer
the source of untold squabbles between
myself and Marian; holding a fairly
good position in the city, for an unmar
ried man, and yet always getting into
debt.
Presently | 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 a gentleman entered a lady's pri
Nate room and read her correspondence
L paid no attention to this high flown
language, but replied by asking hel
whether she had been out to post a let.
ter. She admitted she had
"To Frank ~ | inquired.
& decline to answer" she replied
haughtily.
Containing money" l asked.
THAT | alse decline to answer she
replied.
Here was a pretty pass things had
come tony own wife openly refusing
to answer my questions What was |
to think ? [ think any one else in my
place would have come to the same con-
clusion as | did-namely, that the letter
was to Frank, and that it contained
money. A few inquiries at the post
office confirmed my supposition. From
the time of this discovery a cloud seemed
to have settled over our usually happy
Marian was sulleR and angry,
and sat at the head of the table without
: iJS1hlIlS Il NOIO DCbNCeH IlIcdi-llIltS
l scarcely ever saw her Martha sided
with her mistress, and always looked at
me responsibility.
In the meantime other cares were
pressing hard and fast upon me. In
spite Of a rigid examination could dis
cover no clue to the lost money. Of
course, | had been obliged to make it
good and, in order to do this, had
Trained myself of every available farth-
ng.
These evonts happened at time of
year when it was impossible to call in
many outstanding debts; so that, after
| while of desperate struggle against
our unfortunate circumstances, | was
sorely against my will, to
appeal to my father. All this while |
lad not been inert about the lost money,
,ut had held several discussions with
detective. A fear of incurring addi-
ional expense had deferred me from
citing him to work but as he seemed
o think that to trace the money would
'e the easiest thing in the world, | at
asst gave him authority to commence a
trict investigation.
From the detectives, | went to my
ather and, plainly stating the facts,
sked him if he would lend me the sum
had lost. This he agreed to do; and
he conversation turned on family mat
ers generally. The unhappy GOODNESS
which had arisen between myself and
Tartan was presently discussed; and
fhen my father taxed me with unkind-
ess toward her, felt bound to explain |
o him Franks demand, and her resent |
nent of my interference.
Ny mother started up suddenly from
fit Of thinking and piled me with |
uestions.
''Was Marian the only person who
ad access to the sideboard?"
CAS- far as l knew, the only person"
replied.
and did her letter to her brother
ontain money p
''Yes-a p. O. O. for e10."
Had she e10 of her OWN"
''Not that know Of.
''Was she likely to have saved it
rom her allowance for housekeeping or
private purposes"
''Very unlikely, indeed"
"Then," my mother confined, cit
GEMS to me that the nearer home you
ook for your money, the sooner you will
ind it"
When arrived home my mind was
orn and distracted by conflicting opin-
ons. [ felt very anxious to discover
ONE assurance of innocence, or maybe
f guilt.
Marian" I said, as gently as 1 could
where did you get the money from
hat you sent to Frank ?"
She started, and turned quickly round
Ipon me.
Chow did you know I sent money to
Frank ?"
Never mind how 1 knew it," l re-
)lied. "Where did you obtain ii? You
must answer me that question before
-ou leave this ROOM" | added, more
ternly; for her evasion of my question
lisquieted me.
She looked me steadily in the face
or a minute, then dropping her eyes,
md clasping her hands tightly together,
she exclaimed:
II see now the drift your question.
The money was lost at the time that l
,ent some to Frank Harold, you sus
Dect me-your own wife--of being the
thief, and you have sent that man q
saw he was detective Directly to track
me out and prove this against me. Do
you intend to send me to prison"
Marian" l answered excitedly,
when I sent that man here no such
suspicion had ever occurred to me, and
now that / must confess it has, one
word from you will dispel it; or, if it
should be otherwise (here | extended
my hand to her, but she flung it from
herr you have only to acknowledge it
to obtain my free forgiveness.
"Your forgiveness I" she added,
II do not need it." and
without another word she left me.
For some minutes l remained stump
ed by this new aspect of affairs. Could
it be possible that Marian was guilty :?
| would never believe it. And yet she