Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-07-15

and they saw outlined against the cur
tain the form of man.
"Ha!" cried Radcliffe, in q startled
! whisper. "What does that mean-a
man in your fathers private ofice?"
at is a robber! gasped Edna, cling
ing to his arm and beginning to trem
BILE.
"Open the door," whispered Rad
clife, "and I'll capture the villain!'
'No, mol" persisted Edna. ''The
robber is evidently a desperate vii
lain, and he may be armed"
''Nonsense!" retorted Radcliffe,
opening the door. eff l capture him,
1t will place your father under obliga-
tions to me, and he may consent to
our marriage"
The door which opened out of the
little entry into the private Office was
ajar, and pushing it open, Radcliffe
peered in.
At the same instant a bright light
was flashed in his eyes and he started
back, for confronting him was Banker
Burkley himself, clutching in one hand
roll of notes, and In the other a dark
lantern.
The two men stood staring at each
spoke.
Finally the banker turned sharply,
and walking to an old-fashioned horse
hair-covered lounge which stood
against the wall at one end of the
room, drew back the heavy cushion
and placed the roll of notes carefully
In the cavity. Then replacing the
cushion, he pushed back the slide of
his lantern and started toward the
door, on the threshold of which stood
Radcliffe, with Edna peering over his
shoulder.
The whole proceeding had been so
strange and mysterious that Radcliffe
involuntarily drew back as the banker
| approached, and an apology for his
intrusion trembled on his lips.
The hanging light in the entry threw
its refection upon the bankers face as
he drew near, and Radcliffe noticed
that although his late employers eyes
were wide open, they had a fixed and
meaningless stare.
''Sleepwalking by Jove" he ejacu-
lated, and clutched the somnambu-
| lists arm.
"Ha!" cried the banker, with a
start; and reeling, he would have fall
len had not Radcliffe supported him.
''What does this mean Where am
II"
"Walking in your sleep, papa" in
terposed Edna, stepping forward and
laying her hand on her fathers shout
der.
By this time Mr.. Burnley was thor
oughly awakened, and turning tiercely
upon Radcliffe, whom he recognized in
the dim light, he demanded what right
he had to enter his house after being
ordered not to do so.
''I'm sure I'm very sorry, and [ ask
your pardon for the intrusion" an
swered the young man; "but / love
Edna, and Edna loves me, and even
your stern decree could not keep us
apart. We have met frequently since
my discharge from the bank, and to-
night | was escorting her home, when,
discovering a strange light in your pri-
vate office, | concluded that we had
discovered the mysterious burglar in
the act of committing a robbery, and
| entered to capture the villain. You
can imagine my surprise, sir, when [
discovered that you were the robber."
"What do you mean?" demanded
the banker, gruffly.
Il will show you, SIR" answered
Radcliffe.
And entering the little Office, he
lighted the student lamp on the table.
Then. going to the lounge, he pulled
back the cushion.
"There, SIR" he said, pointing to the
money hid in that snug receptacle.
''I think you will find every dollar of
the money that has so mysteriously
disappeared. While in a somnambu-
listic state youhavefrom time to time
gained admittance to the vault by
means Of the private door, and have
distracted the sums you missed, hid
ing them carefully here"
81 used to walk in my sleep when |
was boy" muttered the banker,
sheepishly, "but I thought had out
grown the habit years ago"
He gathered up the pile of notes he
had hidden under the sofa cushion,
and after counting them, nodded his
head approvingly.
''Well, Ned he said, finally, turning
upon his ex-cashier with something
like his old manner, 81 suppose you're
entitled to some reward for this dis
covery."
II ask none, SIR" answered Rad
cl1tfe; "and I'm only glad I was able to
| do you a service"
"Wen, Pm going to reward you,"
continued the banker, sturdily ''I'm
going to make you my son-in-law-
that is, if Edna doesn't object, and
don't think she willard after to
morrow you shall be a partner in the
Burnley Bank. Things hay emit gone
exactly to suit me since you left. ,;
The rich man was as good as his
word, and he told this story to the as
sembled guests on the night of his
daughters wedding.