Richland beacon., 1880-08-21

Travelled all nSnt 10 OalalS, arriving
there Just in time to catch the boat, was
stepping on board, when he was arrest
cd and brought back to Paris to be
charged with crime Of which he had
never even dreamed.
The officers testified to having found
the envelope upon him, directed as
he had stated; but, on opening it, the
inclosure was found to be nothing more
than several sheets of blank paper. His
story though told with the earnestness
# truth and conscious innocence. seemed
so wildly far-fetched and improbable
that it only influenced the Judges still
more strongly in the belief of his guilt.
To be sure, the main proof against him
was the bankers word, but the whole
chain Of circumstances also favored his
assertions. Where or how the clerk he'd
hidden the money WAS certainly an un-
tSplained mystery, but the supposition
was natural that he had laid his plans
we'll beforehand, and made arrange
ruents so that it would still be secure in
case he was arrested before he could
make good his escape. Weighing the
evidence carefully. though not perhaps
without taking into account the high
social standing the banker had always
occupied, the Judges pronounced the
clerk as guilty, and sentenced hilu to
the galleys for a term Of twenty years.
When the prisoner heard this doom,
to which even death would have been
preferable, his head fell upon his breast,
and an understandable wall of agony
broke from his lips. The following day
he was sent to the galleys at Toulouse.
Four years passed away, during which
time the banker had resumed his bust
ness, and had reached IN even higher
social position than he had occupied be-
fore. His only child, daughter Of
...cre than ordinary beauty and sweet
nes, of disposition, had blossomed into
womanhood. The wealthy young Mar
duis de Beaunois was smitten by her
charms, and ambitious hopes were en-
tering the bankers mind that through
her he might even enter higher grade
of society and become associated with
the nobility. He could now afford TO
laugh at the threat Of vengeance uttered
four years ago by convict whose rivet-
ed chains were clanking in the galleys at
Toulouse. He did not even know if he
were alive or dead.
Had any one told him, or had he hap
pened to read, that one of those galley
slaves, who was not even allowed q
name, but was known as No. All, had
escaped, it would have passed out Of his
mind at once. COnvicts often escape-it
was nothing to him.
Time still passed on, and the date Of
the wedding OF the bankers daughter
with the young nobleman was fixed to
take place with an elegance that was to
surpass all former bridals of the season.
All Paris knew of it, and one may judge
Of the sensation when, on the night be-
fore the wedding, the bankers house
xas broken into, and not only all the
valuables taken, but the bride herself
carried away. A large reward was OF.
.ered, but in vain and the most earnest
efforts of the whole detective force were
fruitless to discover the slightest clew as
to the perpetrators of this bold outrage
The days went by and grew into weeks
and still no tidings Of the missing gir
could be found, and the bankers form
grew bent, and his face hollow and care
worn with anxiety and grief. The whole
affection of his life had been wrapped VI
in this girl.
Late one night, after more than tw'
weeks had passed, as he was seated IL
his library, in conversation with one
the detectives engaged on the fruitles
search, note was brought to him.
II must see You at once" was writ
ten in large, sprawling hand. II ca
give you tidings Of your daughter"
Almost overcome with emotion, tn
banker gave orders for the bearer to b
admitted, while the detective rose quiet
ly and took his position behind the cul
tain of the window. Scarcely had h
done SO, when the servant opened tn
door and admitted a man who, thong
fiashily dressed. carried in his face an
, manner the unmistakable stamp OF tn
lowest criminal class. The bankt
sprung from his chair, his face fushe
) with glad expectation, to meet him.
. "You bring me news Of my daugl
, ter?" he cried, eagerly.
5 "Yes," the man answered; "that
, what I came for.