The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-06-18

Marcia, you must not be guilty Of
this wickedness. ." she cried. think Of
Mr.. CastletOn-the man to whom your
trOth Is plghted. Do not wound his
loving heart by an act Of treaCheryn
The girl 5 lip Curled with scOrn.
do not take up false notions. Louis
Castleton IS nothing TO mel am moth
ing to him"
Are you not his betrothed wife,"
NO, came the quick response. MY
parents have done all they could to
bring about marriage between US.
but do not care for Mr.. CaStletOn in
that way, or he for me-"
Then let me appeal TO yOu IN the
name OF your mother - she said. DO
not bring sorrow and shame upon her
by the false step YOU contemplate. III
you must marry Rupert Dane. let It be
done openly, before all the world" "
Don't be fooN Ny mind is made
up. When Rupert returns, shall 60
away with him.
Stir from this spot and viii alarm
the house"
Wretch You would not dare"'
gasped Marcia.
1t is the only way 70 save vou. Come
quietly back TO your chamber, and the
incidents Of this night shall forever re-
main profound secret between US.
Do come. "
Never"
The two stood and looked at each
other IN the pale starlight. Both were
White and determined. But Lois was
resolved to take no decisive step until
forced TO il by the Others Obstnacv.
The minutes wore on. Marcia grew
nervous and restless. Rupert did not
reappear. What could be Keeping himy
He had only stepped inside the house TO
procure her shawl.
She watched the window with anNi0us
eyes. 4 full half hour wore on. Una
bls to endure the suspense. at last she
crdwled over the sill, into the drawing
room, and lighted one of the wax tapers
il the SCOnceS.
Something dreadful must have Oc-
CURED, - she said, in a faint. frightened
voice Lois, help me TO discover what
it isl''
They went through the lower rooms
one by one No signs of Rupert Dane
anywhere. When finally they reached
the main hall, and paused there TO take
breath.LOls made an unexpected disCOy-
cry. The front door stood slightly aiar
all the bolts and bars swung back.
He is gone. .' she exclaimed.
Marcia echoed the word. At first she
looked incTedulOus, but there, on the
threshold, lay a glove she seemed 10
recognize. IhrUs-Iug 1t into her bosom.
she turned TO Lois with a bewildered
face.
"What does it meang Why has he
left me without wordI 1 do not uu-
derstaud' -
But she did theueXt morning. Scarce
" had she taken her seat at the break
Tast table, where most of the family
were already assembled, when Mrs.
Waugh hoJlled into tIc room. uyid and
trembling.
i have been robtedr' exclaimed the
old lady.
Mr. Beaman started up rs though he
had been shot
Robbed? What do YOU missr"
My gold watch, and purse contain
ing two hundred dollars. They Were
taken last night while I slept"
4 moment dead silence Then Mrs
Beaman. who saw her opportunity. even
at such q time, hasteUed 10 take adj
vantage of 1t.
.Loisis the thiefl'- she ecried. Il know
she was prOWliHg round the house late
last night. 1t could have been no one
else. I might have known better than
10 take the girl il"
Marcia looked ready to faint But. in
spite of her agony and shame, she felt a
strong desire 10 shield her tTeaCherOus
lover. It so happened that she had
found Mrs. Naugh's empty purse on
the stairs. Without stopping TO con-
slider the consequences, she hurried TO
LOiS's chamber. tucked the purse away
under the linen in her trunk, and turn
ed 10 fly.
Too late. Her father. mother. Mrs.
Waugh and Lois all met her at the door.
The girl was weeping and protesting
her innocence. In the general excite
meut no one gave d second thought to
Marcia ) pres>lce in the room.
1T is my duty 10 search your effects.
l. rHHrw Ike
shall do 50 in the presence Of these wit
neSses. You have had no opportunity
to dispose Of the stolen goods"
OF course the empty purse was aG
once brought 10 light. II vain did poor
Lois declare her innocence concerning
it. Even Mrs. Waugh was led 10 be
heve in her guilt.
You shan go TO jail for thisl' Mrs.
Beaman hissed, between her teeth.
"NOw produce the watch and the
money. You might as well. They viii
be of no use 10 yOu. I'm going TO send
one Of the servants for a constable
But Mrs. Waugh inteTpoSed. Her
stern old heart WIS melted by the girl
evident misery. She had been wonder
fully drawn to her from the first.
You shall DO nothing OF the sort, =
she said, her eyes filling with tears.
Lois uust leave here at once, but l re-
J
a defeUCeless old woman who was learn
ing To love her, and the stinEs OF con
science VIII He punishment enough
Ten minutes later Lois had LETT the
house. and was picking uoT way through
binding tears along the fragrant COuu-
try road. Suddenly tail figure rose UP
before her, blocking the way.
what is the matter?n said a tender
pitlful yOiCe-the voice Of Louis Castle
ton. why do you weepS'
st the words she broke down utterly
and, in a wild parOEysm OF SObs and
tears, told the simple story. beginning
with the events of the preceding night
The young man listened silently
When at last the quiverIug voice died
away III fresh burst OF s0bs, he said,
quietly
Rupert Dane is the culprit. I know
him to be thorough SCOundrel. His
love for Marcia was all pretence-he
has a wife already
20, sir, have you faith in my inno-
cence2'
He opened his arms, and drew her u
him with a tender smile.
Yes. Lois. GCu are SO dear TO me
would far rather doubt myself ONLY
trust me, darling, aud your innocence
shall be established before al The
Half an hour later he bad foun,
shelter Tor the TiIl in a farmhouse neal
by, and was ready % set out I'm searcl
Of the real criminal
The quest proved successful. II.
called tie police 10 lIs assistance. aut
the next day found Rupert hiding In
low den in a ueiEhloUiug city. his boot
stiN upon his person.
Ii WAS a happy moment for Lo.
when the young man. holding her llH
tightly clasped i'm his own. led her llt
/ the grand draWiuE-rOom where tl
1 Boamaus and Mrs. Waugh were assem-
! bled. bearing with him tile proofs OF ha
/ innocence of the theft.
They We're met 10y startled and chill
/ ing glauces. but. Uuiisuayel bv them