The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-05-20
That's Farmer Slavbaek,s mail " ra

Look, Martha, there ought to be another
one. It's not in the box It's a regis
tered money letter!''
With increasing uneasiness he began
nervously to hunt. The floor was
searched thoroughly, every letter box
scrutlnized and each superscription read,
as If there might be possibility that the
letter had been misplaced. "Although
know positively the three letters were to-
gether in the right box "-the now ex-
ceedingly anxious man exclaimed:
Maybe Willie put it away" suggested
the woman.
No, | had the letters in nv hands
after he drove away to bring Hat home. :"
\ frigatful thought suddenly assailed
him; his ruddy face turned white. He
clutched his beard in a trsmmlous fashion,
as if to steady and repel the painful idea
! developing in his mind
Impossible =" he muttered. " Bill
wouldn't do a thing like that! But
what's become of that letter, registered
containing two one hundred dollar bills e?
And where's Bill ?" AS if in answer to
his cogitations two quite tranquil young
people entered the store.
AH'tIk 'Ou WIS INT. AICOL = men
tai ejaculation. "Bill's not lit out with
that letter, anywayw
" Where do you think he was father ?''
laughingly exclaimed Hattie. Mr.. Alcot
looked sharply at his clerk and replied
shortly: " It's to be hoped he can ex-
plain to his mothers satisfaction"
The young man responded with dep
recating smile.
" am sorry have occasioned You all
such uneasincss," then added .jestingly,
81 hope you did not imagine that had
eloped with Mr.. Slay backs money let
ter"
Somebody did, for it's gone!" was
the terse reply.
"Oh, father. You are joking!" cried
Hattie
Willie stared in amazement, then ran
to the let,er-box, followed by the young
girl.
It's not there, tell you! Martha
picked those two up from the floor; the
registered letter is not to be found, high
or low. Give an account of Yourself,
young man :"
"Why, Mr.. Alcot, can you-do you
suspect me-"
"Give IN account of yourself, | say ="
was the wrathy reply.
"Tell father all about it," tenderly en-
treated Hattie, gazing compassionately
ut the young man, who turned pale and
red bp turns, tears of Indignation and
modification yelling to his flashing blue
eyes.
Mr.. Alcot turned angrily upon his
daughter
"What do you know about it, Miss +?
Have you two tools conspired to give me
a shock A wretched joke, swear.''
ooh, father. You are unjust. am
sure Will knows as little about the dis
appearance of that letter As do. want
him to tell you about his patent"
81 don't want any foolery. Where
have you spent the night, Bill 2"
In our barn"
elm your barn !" sneered Mr.. Alcot.
GA likely story"
The young man bit his lips, to keep
down rising anger. when Hattie inter
posed.
"Pease, father, listen. Willie has been
at work a long time on a patent stopper
his own invention. At night, after he
leaves here, he works at it in the barn, so
that his mother won't be disturbed. Last
night, although it was late when he left
here after bringing me home, he said he
felt just like works He has secured pat
ent rights on crude design, and was
anxious to get the perfected model done
aud sent away and everything all secure
before he said anything to anyone. This
morning the finishing touches were TO
put on it, and after it was packed he sat
over it thinking"-IIattie looked at him
with loving smile at this point" and
then he fell asleep. That's where found
hlm"-
"You? How did you know"
"Oh, | knew all about it from the very
first"
"Oh, indeed! If you know so much,
Just tell me what has become Of that let
ter" was the sarcastic reply.
"Pcrhaps the rats have got into the
house again" she suggested.
"Rats! Oh, yes; no doubt. Two
legged rats, who need money to secure
patent rights and make models" sneered
the troubled man, with irritation.
"Mr. Alcot. Dare you"
Hattie ran to the affronted and angry
yoang man, quickly placed one hand on
his mouth, and the other crept around his
arm, upon which she caressingly pressed
her cheek, saying:
Darling, don't mind father; he cannot
mean it so; he is anxious"
"What do you mean, my girl? What
is there between you two? Heaven be
good to me! Such dishonesty and de-
ceit right under my nose!"
"Mr Alcot, hear me-"
81 won't hear. Restore that letter and
clear up the mystery. Harriet 60 into
the kitchen and see to breakfast"
Hattie pressed the unhappy Wills
hand lovingly and obeyed her fathers
command.
"Now, young man, you and will have
talk"
At this moment the door leading to
the second floor opened, and Martha, who
had gone up stairs to attend to the cham
ber work, entered the store again. In her
hand she held that missing letter.
Will gave one joyous bound toward
her and grasped at it as one drowning
might grasp at life-saving oar.
"Father in heaven, thank thee!" he
cried, fervently, and then Hattie! Hat
tie! The letter is found The letter!
the letter!"
Hattie came flying in, gave one an
swering glance, and burst into crying:
"Oh, Will! And father suspected you"