Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-09-25

tai card, on which he wrote nervously
few moments, when he fastened to
drop 1t in the box on the corner. The
mother, meanwhile, disappeared with
in the house, where an examination
proved that the intense excitement ex-
perienced by the artist and others had
no cause for continuance, Tho child
was wholly uninjured, except as to
the right foot, bruised probably by
being caught III the rails a. she fell.
Smiles and laughter succeeded; and
when at z 80 that evening, Mr.. Har-
Ian opened his door in response to .
rap, and bcheld Mr.. Whittredge, the
father Of the child, there was broad
grin upon his face as he extended his
hand. But the jocose observation on
his lips died, as his hand was refused,
and his visitor gazed sternly upon
him.
excuse me, sir! / cannot shake
hands with you, and yet thank you
for your postal-card."
"Wcll, sir, you simply amaze me.
Come, what do you mean? You must
bejoking!"
mot ut all, Mr.-Heathcote!"
The artist started back, turned az
white as his collar and tremor ran
through his frame.
"Why-why do you address me by
that name!"
cit is the name you gave me on the
| card you sent me this afternoon; and,
Mr.. Harlan, believe it is your real
name" -
'I-sent you that name?"
s'Here it is, sir-Augustus Heath.
cote! My wife saw you with this
card. You forgot yourself in the ex-
| element"
"Well, supposing I do bear an as
sumed name. What is that to you?
We have been friendly in our relations
You have no reason to do aught but
esteem me. We have lived side by
side for two years. What have you
against me"
"Against Mr.. Harlan, nothing; but
I have heard before of Mr.. lIeathcotc.
lie was in my uncle's employ. Job
Gardner, Of Pittsburg, Pa. - You
vince. There can be no mistake.
You are Augustus Heathcote."
81 am. l have been basely SANDER
ed. Circumstances have borne against
me. You know my real self. Can
YOU imagine could have done what
1 have been condemned for!"
| "Condemned! You are not con-
demned?"
"Condemed in every ones opinion,
or would not have changed my name.
How did l escape? Only because no
trace of the money could be found in
my possession. Years have passed
since. l show no signs of wealth at
present. What would you have? l
am innocent, though my name is dis
graced. 1t mattered not until the last
two or three years whether [ bore it
or not was wanderer in Europe,
where, in extreme penury, l cultivat-
ed the art talent with which was en-
dowed. / earned my living in Ger
where is it? Where is the hundred
thousand dollars l am supposed to
have stolen? l was acquitted, as you
allow. Why refuse my hand!"
"With mention of your name came
the bitter thought that through you,
perhaps, | and my family are poor.
was my unclc's herr
"You? Where was his SOM"
dead. Did you not know that?"
'IIow long since? Father and son
both dead?"
ale died shortly after you were &C
quilted and you disappeared.'
AMI your uncle left but small
proierty?"
"iIe did. The robbery deprived
him of most Of his capital. That and
his sons death preyed upon his spir-
its. lie was successful ill his business
ever after"
"You arc his sole heir?"
81 am"
"You may be wealthy yet. Tha'
100000 in bonds and securities we.
exists l have all idea. have always
been certain that the sou took that
money. l had alone the key of the
safe and knew the combination-ii
) was that condemned me; but-but
found wax OH the key one day, and
I'vc heard Mr.. Gardner talk in hi!
sleep during his atter-dinner nap
The son dead, you shall have the mon
ey. thank heaven l sent you tina
postal card, that have brou ght YOU
to know Augustus Hcathcote?"
The door of the studio had beer
l ClOSCtt dS bllS COufCI SdllOl
progressed, and the participants ha,
seated themselves half-unconsciously
''Let me, however," continued tn
artist, ''be Harlan to you as usual, ant
to your wife. Do not disclose my Sc
!, cret unless | fail to restore you you
property. Harlan is the name | wisl
} to bear-the name l think l shall We
, make distinguished"
"You go too FAST" responded b:
, auditor; ''you claim to know appar
, emily where the property is. VIII,
, should not think, then, that you hav
, hid it? You make me again suspic
ious of you."
8 II may speak too hastily, but l az
3 sanguine OF success. will tell yo
e why. Shortly after was acquitted
0 almost immediately after leaving tn
f court-room-I encountered Georg
}. Gardner in his fathers grounds
q whittier went to obtain my few per
! sonal effects. We were alone, an
smarting with the suspicion environ
ing me-for series of groans had at
tended the jury's verdict told hin
$ | knew he was the thief, and that
f would watch and wait until coul'
n prove it. With that I left him, AM
soon forgot my threat; but he did not
/ believe it may have killed him-h
was very coward, whom fear woul,
drive to suicide"
ri "He died suddenly. It was said a