Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-02-26

containing two one hundred dollar Dlllss
And where's Billl" As IL In answer to
his cogitations two quite tranquil young
people entered the store.
'Thank Godr was Mr.. Alcot's men,
tai ejaculation. "Bill's not lit out with
that letter, anywayp
"Where do you think he was, fatherl"
laughingly exclaimed Hattie. Mr.. Alcot
looked sharply at his clerk and replied
shortly: It's to be hoped he can explain
to his mothers satisfaction"
The young man responded with a de-
precating smile
Il am sorry I have occasioned you all
such uneasiness, =" then added jestingly,
81 hope you did not imagine that had
eloped with Mr.. Slayback's money let
ter?"
Somebody did, for it's goner' was
the terse reply,
ooh, fatheTl You are joking" cried
Hattie.
Willie stared in amazement, then ran
to the letter-box, followed by the young
girl.
'1ts not there, tell you'll 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 manw
"Why, Mr.. Alcot, can you-do you
suspect meP"
''Give an account of yourself I say!"
was the wrathy reply.
'Tell father all about it." tenderly en-
treated Hattie, gazing compassionately
at the young man, who turned pale and
red by turns, tears of indignatian and
modification yelling to his flashing blue
eyes.
Mr.. Alcott turned angrily upon his
daughter.
"What do you know about it, Miss?
Have you two fools conspired to give me
a shockg A wretched joke, l swearr'
'Oh, father! You are unjust. I'm
sure Will knows as little about the disap-
peamnce of that letter as l do. Iwant him
to tell you about his patent"
81 don't want any foolery, Where
have you spent the night, Bill"
''In our BARN"
'In your barn" sneered Mr.. Alcot.
"a likely story"
The young man bit his lips to keep
down rising anger, when Hattie inter-
posed.
''Please, father, listen. Willie has
been at work long time on 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 dis
turbed. Last night, although it was
late when he left here after bringing me
home, he said he felt Just like work He
has secured patent rights on crude de-
sign and was axious to get the perfected
model done and sent away and every
thing all secure before he said anything
to anyone. This morning the finishing
touches were put on it, and after it was
packed he sat over it thinking"--Hattie
looked at him with loving smile at this
point-"and then he fell asleep. That's
where | found him"
"You? How did you know"
ooh, knew all about it from the very
frst?"
ooh, indeed! If you know so much
just tell mewhat has become of that let
ter" was the sarcastic reply.
"Perhaps the rats have got in 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
young man, quickly placed one hand or
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 girl1 What
is there between you two? Heaven bt
good to me! Such dishonesty and deceit
right under my noser'
"Mr. AlcOt, hear me-
II won't hear. Restore that letter and
clear up this mystery. Harriet, go into
the kitchen and see to breakfast"
Hattie pressed the unhappy Wills hand
lovingly and obeyed her fathers com
mand
'rNow, young man, you and / win have
a talk"
At this moment the door leading to tn,
second floor opened, and Martha, wht
had gone up stairs to attend to thu
chamber work, entered the store again
In her hand she held that missing let
/ ter.
Will gave one Joyous bound toward he
and grasped at it as one drowning nigh
grasp at life-suving oar.
"Father in heaven I thank theem h,
cried, fervently, and then--Hattie! Hat
tie! The letter is found the letter. tn,
/ lettern
Hattie came flying in, gave one answer
ing glance and burst out crying: "Oh
Will! And father suspected you"
Mr. Alcot clutched at his beard again
took the letter and asked in avoice hoars
with emotion:
"Where did you find it, MarthaH"
"In your bed, twixt the. case and pill
low you slept on"
Goodness sakes! Have l taken t.
walking in my sleep again as l did whel
l was a youngster2"
InlS was uouDtleSS Gne case. Inc las
thing before retiring he had gone to Sc
whether that money letter was all right
and in his sleep it haunted him, with tn
result that caused its removal to safer quar-
ters near his person. The other two wer
cast aside as unimportant.
"Bill---I'm hasty old fool" bega
the postmaster in awkward, self-reproach
full tones.
"Mr. Alcot, don't say word. VIII
would not suspect, under like circum