The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-12-20

books. It anas a cheek to bearer, on one Of
the cltg banks. for hre hsfadrcd dollars
What munifcent gift to come from one
almost strangerl And how opportunely il
came to! She would be able to pay of the
arrearage of rent now, that had given her
50 much trouble.
| Mabel went to sleep with her treasure
under her pillow; and while she is dream
ing happy dreams, in which face she has
striyen hard to Danish of late is constantly
coming up, let us tell the reader who she is.
Mabel Gleason's father-she had lost her
mother in early infaney-was a wealthy
merchant, whose study it had been to lavish
on his daughter, and only child, every pos
sible indulgence, and to adorn her with
every attainable accomplishment. II is not
too much to say he idolized her; and
had her heart been less true, or her head
less steady, she must have been totally
spoiled
A financial crisis came, eliminating in a
crash, among the victims of which was
Mabels father Crushed, and broken in
spirit, his health gave way, and the end of
a few months saw Mabel an orphan and
pennies, for nothing had been saved from
the wreck of her fathers fortune.
Feeling she could better bear her altered
condition among strangers, she had left her
native city, and sought home and employ
ment in the metropolis. The result we have
already seen.
Mr.. Wentworth's check was duly honor
edit would have been good for an hundred
fold as much. Mabel, keeping cut no more
than suficed for present needs, deposited
the balance in savings bank. She took a
tidy room in respectable street, which she
was fortunate enough to secure on moderate
terms, and straightway advertised for pupils
| in French and music.
| Fortune seemed to smile on Mabel at last.
She rendered so complete satisfaction to the
| first few pupils that gave her a trial, that
she soon had as many as she could take.
Her income enabled her to add to, instead
of diminishing her deposit in the bank
and she was beginning not to be so rigid
now in her banishment, during her walking
moments, of that face that always teould
come up in her dreams
But a shocking blow was in store for poor
Mabel. She was on her way from the house
Of pupil one day, when stranger aceosted
her:
81 am sorry TO trouble you, Miss, but it
isneeessary you should 60 with me. l am
a detective, and have warrant for your
arrest. AS / am not in uniform, no one
need know you are in custody"
tWill you not at least inform me Of what
am accused ?" Mabel rentured to ask.
Ny instructions are to answer no ques-
tions," said the man doggedly. "You will
learn all at the police-office and it is my
opinion the sooner we go there the better.
Seeing no alternative, Mabel acquiesced,
and walked in silence at the side of the
officer.
When confronted with the Judge-a
shrewd, but withal pleasant looking gentle
man, on high seat--she was not so much
intimidated as might have been expected.
She had had time to collect her thoughts by
the way, and there is ever true courage
in innocence, that makes the weak strong,
and inspires the timid with boldness.
"Wil you be good enough te tell me, sir,
why | have been brought here? ?' Mabel
asked, in voice so gentle and musical and
with flush on her face so far from betoken-
ing guilt that his Honor forgot the prisoner,
and remembered only the lady.
You presented check some time since,
Miss Gleason, for five hundred dollars pur-
porting to be drawn by Mr.. Wentworth on
the Bank, on which you drew the
money"
II did," Mabel answered "it was
Christmas present from Mr.. Wentworth |
himself. He gave it to me with his own
hand, said Mabel, astounded at charge so
unaccountable.
Mr.. Wentworth has been sent for, andI
will be here presently" the Judge answered. |
"Ah here he comes"
As thAlittle old gentleman hustled his
way to the front, and his eyes fell on Mabel,
lie started with astonishment.
You here n he exclaimed. What is the |
meaning of this? p
'That is the person who presented the
check,' said the Judge
'ImpossibleF' p cried the little old gentle
man.
She has admitted it."
Mr.. Wentworth was dumbfounded The
whole affair was involved in mystery. The
written part of the check, had he not known
the contrary, he would have sworn to be in
his own hand. His check-book, too, was
missing, though how it could have been
distracted from the safe in his room, of
which he kept exclusive possession of the
key, was quite past his comprehension.
You gave me the check yoursslf sir, said
Mabel, ION the steps ofmy lodgings, late on
Christmas night; you surely cannot have
forgotten it"
Late on Christmas night l''-why, the
old gentleman was sure he hadn't stirred
mad gone to bed at nine!
Whatever conclusion the little old gentle |
mans mind might have reached in its be-
wiIderment, MabePs was fast approaching |
one at the ludicrousness Of which she would |
have smiled under less serious circumstan- !
ces, which was, that Mr.. Wentworth had |
celebrated Christmas a little indiscreetly, |
and taken a drop too much for his memory, |
ha~ abo ~ hu "a
appearance of a new face upon the scene-a |
decidedly handsome one, belonging to a
young gentleman who had accompanied Mr., |
Wentworth to the court. 1t vas, morever, |
the same face that would keep coming up
in MabePs dreams-and sometimes when |
she was awake, too.
'sAIabel Gleason r. cried the young man.
tsWhat-what absurd blunder is this Who |
has dared
A deep flush, succeeded by a deathly
palior oyerspfead Mabels cOuntenance, as
She tottered and would have fallen, but
for the timely support Of her youthful COM
panion
ssUncle !" the latter vehemently exclaim-
ed, Il know this lady, and would stake my |
life upon her innocence"
80 would I, boy, though I'm puzzled to
my wits end r
tiSee here r he continued, addressing the
Judge, f'this case must 20 no furthert" I"
ssThe charge can only be Withdrawn by |
those who made, it, the Judge answered.
"And who are they? confound theml
tsThe officers of the hank."
asThe officers Of the bank be bloWed Pm /
one fthem myself! I'll go her bail anyhow,
and fix it up with the bank afterwards r.
The proposition was satisfactory
DOrted. French China. Dec{