Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-16

Dduk, duu l6ut III W NIL DlyC0 lOI UCu ueIo.
"Who is Mr.. Bryce9'
"He is broker. My father got acquaint
ID 18th him through George Chandler,
clerk.
'sDoes Mr.. Bryce refuse to pay it?
''Ile says he has paid it,
"Well, what is the trouble then?"
'Father says he has not paid it."
"Indeedl But the note will prove that
he has not paid it. Of course, you have the
note? ?''
"No, Mr.. Bryce has it."
"Then, of course, he has paid it?''
81 suppose he has, or could not have the
note.'
"What does your father say?
"He is positive that he never received the
money. The mortgage, he says, must be
paid tomorrow.
every singular. Was your father"
I hesitated to use the unpleasant word,
which must have grated harshly on the ear
of the devoted girl.
"Mr. Bryce says father was not quite
right when he paid him, but not very bad. "
81 will see your father"
"He is coming up here in few moments.
I thought would see you first, and tell
YOU Gll6 ldCGb U6lOTo uG Cducs
81 do not see how Bryce could have OBJ
tanned the note unless he paid the money.
Where did your father keep it?'
"He gave it to me, and put it in the
secretary"
in the secretary?"
"Mr. Bryce, George Chandler, my father
and myself"
Tho xuoc horo fnta mt to6 bu
the entrance of Wallace. He looked pale
and haggered, as much from the effects OF
anxiety as from the debauch from which he
was recovering.
''She has told you about it, suppose 2"
said he in very low tone.
"Sbc has,"
Ipitied him, poor fellow, for two thou
sand dollars was a large sum for him to &C
cumulate in his little business. The loss of
it would make the future look like desert
to him. 1t would be misfortune which
one must undergo to appreciate it.
"What passed between you on that day ?"
"Well, l merely stepped into his Of
fice-it was only the day before yesterday
to tell him not to forget to have the money
for me by tomorrow. He took me into his
back Office, and as I sat there he said he
would get the money ready the next day
He then left me and went into the front Of
fee, where heard him send George out to
the bank to draw check for two thousand
dollars; so supposed he was going to pay
me then."
"What does the clerk say about it ?''
"He says Mr.. Bryce remarked, when he
sent him, that he was going to pay me the
money"
"Just so.'
"And when George came in he went into
the front Office again and took the money.
Then he came to me again and did not offer
to pay me the money"
"Had you the note with you?'
"No, now l remember; he said he sup.
posed had not the note with me, or he
would pay it. told him to come in the
next day and would have it ready-that
was yesterday. When came to look fcr
the note it could not be found. Annie and
have hunted the house all over"
"You told Bryce so?'
81 did. He laughed, and showed me his
note, with his signature crossed over with
ink, and hole punched through it,
SIT is plain, Mr.. Wallace, that he paid
you the money, as alleged, or has obtained
fraudulent possession of the note, and he
intends to chest you out of the amount
"He never paid me" " he replied, prompt
ly.
"Then he has fraudulently obtain ed pos.
session of the note. What sort of a person
is that Chandler, who boards with you.''
ga fine young man. Bless you, he would
not do anything of that kind"
81 am sure he would not" repeated An
ME, earnestly.
aHow could Bryce obtain the note but
through him? What time does he come
home at night ?''
''Always at tea time. He never goes out
in the evening""
''But, father, he did not come home till
ten o'clock the night before you went to
Bryce's. He had to stay in the Office to
post books, or something of the kind
elbow did he get in?"
''He has night key"
81 must see Chandler" said I.
mo harm in seeing him." added Mr..
Wallace; 81 will go for him.
In few moments he returned with the
young man Chandler, who, in the conyersa-
ton l had with him, manifested very live
ly interest in the solution of the mystery,
and professed himself ready to do anything
to forward my views.
"When did you return to the house on
Thursday night ?''
"About twelve"
"Twelve!' said Annie; sit was not more
than ten when heard you"
'sThe clock struck twelve when | turned
the corner of the street," replied Chandler,
positively.
81 certainly heard some one in the front
room at ten," said Annie, looking with
astonishment at those around her.
tSWabra OattiDo at pOmathipo ;, cold
.'How did you get n?'
The young man smiled, as he looked at
Annie, and said
"On arriving at the door, found I had
lost my night key. At the moment watch
man happened along and I told him my
situation. He knew me, and taking a lad
der from an unfinished house opposite,
placed it against one of the second-story
windows, and | ente red in that way.
"Good. Now, who was it that was heard
in the parlor, unless it was Bryce OR one of
his accomplices He must have taken the
key from your pocket, Chandler, and stolen
the note from the secretary. At any rate
will charge him with the crime, let what
may happen. Perhaps he will confess when
hard pushed.''
Acting upon this thought, wrote law
yer's letter-'demanded against you," etc.,
which was Immediately sent to Mr.. Bryce.
Cautioning the parties not to speak of the
affair, dismissed them.
Bryce came.
swell, sir, what have you to say against
me ?' he asked, stifly.
ga claim on the part Of John Wallace fol
81, OOO,' replied, poking over my papers,
and appearing perfectly Indifferent.
"Paid it." he said, short as piecrust.