Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-06-12

moving from his chair, while Mabel,
glad ii . moments respite, hurried tc
tho dining-room. She watched-oh, "a
oAgerly-for her cousin, but he did moi
appear. However, - Arthur 70 fro.
quently dined out Ut his club his sb-
senoe excited NO comment from the
other members Of the family.
A. Mabel crossed the hall ON her way
TO the library after tea she encountered
Philip Vernon, who had just entered
the house ~ fulfill IN engagement
with Josephine. He glanced, ~ she
thought. rather suspiciously as the
traces OF palor and fatigue ON her coun
finance. then bowed and passed on
without comment or remark. 1t was
With still heavier heart than before that
Mabel resumed her work. She had tried
to regard Mr.. Vernon simply As Elsie's
bnt her hopes and aspirations-and what
young girl can suppress them-had, of
late, begun to cluster very close IL
around the handsome Junior pard ner.
Her anxiety for her uncle, however,
soon succeeded in checking all personal
feeling. As their task neAred compile
ton his manner grew feverishly excl
ted, and when be suddenly discovered
that certain ledger, which was uscss
sary TO the work In hand, bad been left
BY mistake at the counting house. his
vexation was pitia bic TO witness.
He would have gons for it himself,
even at that late hour, but lie was
chained to his seat by the malady with
which he suffered, and he could not
move without assistance.
He dared not TO trust the key of his
ONCE safe to q servant. yet the absence
Of this volume stopped his investiga.
tions on the threshold of discovery.
In this dilemma, Mattel, feeling that
lanythiDg was better than suspense, bog
ged that she might be allowed to 20 for
| the ledger herself. Her uncle demnrred,
but Mabel insisted. Parker could &C
company her, she said-Parker being
the old butler who had lived for years
in tho Lgl. household-they would take
the street car and soon be back with
the book.
she carried her point, and was soon
seated in the car. and speeding
rapidly toward the counting house.
Arrived there, she babe the old butler
await her 1t the door, and applying
her uncle's private koy, entered the
building
She knew that the iron safe which
contained the books OF the firm, and
Also contained occasional sums of
money, stood on an upper floor, and
not wishing 70 attract the notice of the
night watchman, she simply struck a
match and CROPPED her way past the
door ofthe Office, which was situated 10
q wing of the house, then cautiously
assembled the staircase.
AS she neared the landing, the light
nf a hark 1antarn Aoahod nnnv. kar
sight, and there before the wide open
door of the safe, knelt her cousin, q
pile of notes in his hand which he WAS
busily engaged in counting, while an
other lay beside him OH the floor.
| Mabel uttered but on word, >" You 7:
yet the loathing expressed In that little
monosy liable seemed to rouse ali the
worst passions Of his nature.
Yes," he answered with hoarse
laugh, why not? What is life worth
without love or money ? You denied
me the first, in favor I've always aus
pected, OF that smooth. faced idiot, Yer
non, but you can't deprive me of this, "
and he tapped the money as he spoke.
Mabel uttered not . word only stood
| with the same mute look of horror on
| her face.
Don't look 30 like ghost" he
went on hurriedly I'm leaving here
forever, and it's wisest not to go with
| empty pockets But shall never Grows
your path again, SO say ut least, Bon
vo, age, Arthur before 1 co."
He picked up the money and turned
toward her. Mabel threw herssi
upon his arm with the courage OF de
spair.
Arthur" she cried, "you must no
shall not-take this money. Replac.
1t, and / will never breathe one wore
of what has passed"
He put her aside with o scurnful
laugh
"Of course not" he replied "the
family reputation Is a little too dear
But don't be apprehensive. My 90
| teemed parent will, of course, suppress
this little circumstance, and suppose
either your sweet influence or that OF
Josephine will be sufficient to insure
Vernon's silence.
He took another step for ward, but
Mabel chung convulsively to his arm.
1t shall not be-" she cried again.
You shall not drag down Uncle
g srald's good name in your disgrace.
| am not alone. l can summon help,
and l will, ere you shall depart with
this money. Ruin yourself II you
choose, but the whole world shall know
hat you-and you alone-are the
! thief"
He stood sullen and ir.esolute. He
had hattered himself that, could he
escape with this money, his father
would shield him from the consequences
of his act, and that While the world
might wonder aud suspect. 1t would
II ~ % ho ff.1l n nf
But Mabel had threatened to brand
him a. the thief, and one glance at her
face showed him that she was terribly
In earnest.
81 am ruined already" he said
gloomily. IL owe debts which |
cannot pay, and shall be forced to leave
this place. How can l 60 without
money 2"
His eye. as he spoke, fell on small
but beautifully carved box, made OF
some foreign wood, and carefully de.
posted in an upper compartment of the
safe.
:. Arthur" she cried eagerly, while a
CLEAN Of hope lit up her countenance,
do you SEQ that box? 1t contains the
sole legacy which my mother was able
to leave me Her father WAS, AS you
know, an Englisbman, and an East In
dian officer, and this box contains
some valuable jewels, which he acquir
ed during his service In India. They
have been carefully preserved in our
family, and were LETT by my mother in
| Uncle Gerald's charge for me. l
would not sell them for twice their
| value, but II you need money, take
them. give them to you freely-glad.
ly. No, dear Arthur, do not turn away.
II have spoke n hsrshly and cruelty,