The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-22

anu she resolutely dismissed the dark sus-
plclon that intruded ise l1upon her. She
Went 10 bed, but her thoughts OF the strange
conduct OF her Lover kept her awake q long
time, though she assured herself that the
affair would be pleasantly explained in the
morning.
but Ill the morning the young officer was
gone. lie had risen at an early hour, az
was Ills intention, and h0d returned to camp
long before Augusta was awake. She
searched the room which he had occupied
but saw no signs of the watch and chain.
nor even note from him to explaine the
disappearance Of the articles. This was
unaccountable. and the young lady was
naturally much displeased; but she con-
cludcd that it would be best to say nothinp
about the matter at present. hoping that
Coulter would explain it satisfactorily on
his next visit.
She saw him after the lapse of few
days. lie came to the house as he had been
III the habit Of coming, and there was moth
ing III his appearance or manner to indicate
that anything unusual had occurred. He
treated Augusta precisely as he had treated
her before his strange declaration of love
was spoken, and made not the remotest al
lusion to the affair OF the watch and chain.
This was quite dlspcaslng to Augusta
who determined to draw him out in private
as her questioning looks in public had fail
cd to produce any effect upon him. She
asken him to walk with her, and when they
were entirely alone began to question him.
"Dld you bring back my watch and chain
Frank2" she asked.
''l our watch and chain2" was his sur
prised reply.
Yes, my watch and chain, which YOU
carried away the last time you spent the
night here"
" don't know what you mean. L have
not had your watch and CHAIN know
nothing about them."
1t was then the young lady's turn to show
surprise and indignation.
you surely cannot have forgotten,
said she, "that you took those articles from
the bureau in my room the last night YOU
staid at our house, and carried them away
with you.'
"Ihis is news to NE. assure you."
you had taken Off your coat and boots,
Sir, and doubtless supposed that you were
not observed, but saw you plainly in the
moonlight"
''Sliss Penohyn, do ysu know what you
are saylngs You are accusing me of steal
ing
81 did not believe that you meant to
steal thcm," she said, half sobblng. 81
supposed that you had only taken them for
joke, or perhaps for q keepsake, and that
you would bring them back or mako an cx-
PLANTATION. But never thought that you
would deny taking thcm."
"Aliss Penohyn, this is unbearable. 10
be accused Of theft, and by lady, at that,
ls something new in my experience, l de-
clare, upon my honor, that did not take
your watch and chain, and that l was not
out OF my room that night.
''Do you really think that you can face
me down in this way7" she Indignantly de-
manded. l suppose you will also deny that
you came down slairs just before you took
the watch and chain, and came to where |
was sitting on the porch, and said"
"Somc other crime" he said, perceiving
that she hcsitatcd. II am not in the hu
NOR to listen 10 any more accusations.
Either there has been some monstrous mis-
take, or you are deliberately insulting
me-"
Cor the honor, of which you just spoke,
does not exist"
'lf you can speak to ne in that strain,
Miss Pcnohyn, the sooner leave you the
better"
. -.'"Ycs, -indeed-beforc any more portable
property is missing"
They parted in anger, and that parting
was final. Augusta Penohyn told her
mother and sister of her loss, and was at
first disposed to complain to the colonel of
Coutcr's regiment, but was persuaded that
such course might bring the family into
trouble, and allowed the matter to drop.
Thcrcglment wss soon ordered away, , and she
saw no more Of Frank Coulter.
1t was not until two years alter the close
of the war that Frank Coulter returned to
Virginia, aud then he came in peaceful
capacity Of an agent or drummer for a
New York dry-goods house. The Peno-
hyns had become comparatively poor, and
the family mansion was turned into tav-
ern, which was kept by the son, Henry,
who had come out Of the war with the loss
of an arm.
AT the tavern Frank Coulter stopped to
pass the night There was no other place
to 60 to, and perhaps he would not have
made another choice if he had had the
chance, as ho was neither physical nor a
moral coward.
Augusta Pcnohyn had told her brother
the story of the loss of her watch and chain.
Henry Informed her OF Coulter's arrival,
and she satisfied herself, without beng seen
by him, that lie was the same man who
had been 80 strangely proven unworthy of
her love.
Then they consulted together to decide
upon what should be done. Henry was for
his immediate arrest, saying that he could
be punished for his crime, as he ought to
be under the laws of Virginia; but Angus.
ia, who had not quite list her love for the
recrcant, was unwilling to 60 to tnat OK
treme. Henry finally resolved that he
would have an interview with Coulter in
the morning, and press him closely Oh the
matter.
The brother and sister were still seated
on the porch, discussing this question,
when the man of whom they had been
speaking came down stairs. He had retir-
ed to his room at an early hour, and now
hc came down barc-hcadcd, in his shirt
sleeves and his stoclung-feet, just as he had
done on the night which witnessed the cpl
sodc of, the watch and chain. The moon
shonc just as it did then, its light filtered
through the vines that nearly enclosed the
porch.