Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-05-06

severe and summary reckoning ex-
acted from the few offenders.
Mr.. Vincent Lyle was not Inclined
therefore, to deal leniently with the
authsr of sons small but daring
peculation that had been going on
of late. Woe to the guilty one, when
he discovered him and from the
searching investigation he was making
he was likely to do that soon. The
matter worried him so long as it
bai1led him and he was sitting in
his luxurious library at home, pom
dering it, when Frank Thorley sent
in note to him.
The merchant started, as he read,
muttering, "Sharp fellow. Thorley.
I wasn't deceived in him ! Show
him up, john"
Mr. Lyle shook hands with him
warmly when he came In but Thor
ley seemed strangely reluctant, and
remained standing on the hearth OPP
posite, his face pale, and his eyes III
an unwonted glitter.
"Glad to see you, Thorley, glad 10
see you. Shan't forget it if you can
give me any clue to the author of
this scandalous business" Lyle eaid.
Behold him |" Frank said, getting
winter yet.
Mr.. Lyle started.
"It was | who stole your money"
Frank rel eated, with half desperate
emphasis on the words.
Mr.. Lyle stared incredulously few
moments still, before he could realize
the stupendousness of the fact. He
was terribly angry then. He remem-
lered suddenly the gay life the young
man had been leading of late, vague
rumors of which had reached his ears,
and said, sternly, as soon as he could
master his voice enough:
"If you come here, thinking TO
move me to thoughts of cl emency,
you will find yourself mistaken"
"Not for myself, Mr.. Lyle" he
said at last, speaking with difficulty;
"but for my mothers sake, do ask
your clemency not to retain me in
your employment, but to give me
chance to begin again somewhere
else"
"And serve some one else aa you
have me?" the merchant Exclaimed,
with iIonical anger it is rather late
10 think Of your mother, young man"
II know it sir. IT, had suffered
no other love TO enter my heart but
lovo of her, I should not stand here
the guilty wretch hat I am to night.
am her only son--her only support.
If you expose me, you strike her to
the heart
MIR. Lyle made an impatient move
ment.
II tell you. you should have
thought Of this before. 1t is too late
now you had your chance and abus-
ed it wickedly. You must take the
consequences.
Thorley was trembling and could
hardly stand.
"Mr Lyle" he said huskily, "do
you know how old l am? I am
nineteen, Sir, and l never touched
farthing that was not my own be-
fore"
ut is time to end this" Mr.. Lyle
said, rising and approaching the
bell.
"Wait one moment, sr," Frank
Thorley paid, passing between him
and the bell rope; aud his desperate,
angnishei look aged Mr.. Lyle an
instant shall | tell you aho tempt
ed me to do ihis--whuse beautiful
face came between rue and right, and
lured me on to my ruin? AS you
hcre for mercy hereafter, Sir, hear
me Hear how | came 10 fall, and
then refuse to be merciiul if you
can"
81 am listening" said the mer-
chant.
II never saw New Yoik till two
years ago, and you yourself have COM
menied me for witLstanding it's temp
tatioIs. You know, sir, that / neith-
er drink nor gamble. The smallLess
OF the amount | Lave taken must
prove that your money was not
spent in that way. You have been
pleased TO be very kind to me, sir.
Do you remember urging upon me
the acceptance of an invitation to a
party given by your daughter? I