Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-04-16

& NO document before the COURT ar. Mur.
ridge retired to his W Office, followed b,
his son
Look here, Dick he said, "this thing 4
getting more complicated l must think 4
over. You've done your share. Leave it t
me-"
you needn't go investigating or inquir
ing, or anything" said his son; you NAV
entirely depend on the truth of my facts
Start from them -"
Perhaps. Yes; well. I've nothing fol
you at the Office, Dick Go and take a holi
day; amuse yourself somehow-as o like
to amuso yourself. But, mind, not a word
to any body-not a syllable. Not a breath
Of what you've told'me either to Norah OF
to her brother. This paper and the accu
sation it contains belong to me. Do you
hold your tongue about the matter. Let nc
one suspect"
oblivion and the burial of the whole bust.
ness He said so, in fact.
But what shall you do nextF' he asked,
That is my business Only hold your
tongue, and leave the rest of the case ia
me-"
1T has come" said the office boy, watch.
ing. He's done something at last. He's
ordered to leave the office in disgrace. |
knew he would do something; and I've got
something more, and | shall make him
wr1ggle. He thinks he won't be found ont
Ho! I'm a mea ly little devil, and she's a
sapphire. It's something against her, is It'll
just you wait. The Office boy has a eye
open"
Mr.. Murridge went back to his own office
and sat down gloomy and wrathful. He
left his door wide open, and the boy, sitting
at his own table, his hands on the handle of
tine letter press, watched him carefully.
wondering whether the time was vet ar
rived for him to step in. But for such a lad
to step I'M before the right moment might
endanger everything. Suppose if, by reason
OF premature stepping in, instead of seeing
MIR. Richard wriggle he might himself have
to do all the wriggling? If he got turned
OUT OF his berth this would certainly happen
10 MN when he went home, his father being
a fellowship porter, and stout of arm.
All this took place at ten o'clock, the first
thing in the morning, 1t was over by half
past ten. When, at eleven o'clock, Norah
cam as usual, she found her employer sit
ting idle. His letters were unopened. his
safe was still shut, his papers were not laid
out before him. The days work was not vet
commenced.
why" cried Norah; 'what is the mat
ter with you to-day! Are you ill~
Her eyes were so bright, her face so full
Of sunshine, her look so radiant with tba
happiness of youth, innocence and love that
Mr. Murridge groaned aloud, wondering
bow this thing could be possible.
Wait a moment here, y he said, taking his
hat; Il will be back in a few minutes"
Norah had plenty to occupy her. She
opened her black bag, spread out her papers.
and put them in order, till Mr.. Murridge re-
turned, which was after five minutes: he
was accompanied by a young gentleman,
who, while Mr. Murridge opened his safe
and rummaged among his papers, stared at
Norah rather more closely than was consist
en5 with good manners, according to her
own views.
Here" said Mr.. Murridge presently, TAX
ing his head out of the safe. lis what Won
want He gave the young gentleman a
paper, and followed him out of the office.
"WellF' he asked in a whisper.
That is the young lady" tho clerk re-
piled, also in a whisper.
But the office boy heard and wondered.
You are quite sure of it2n
Quite sure, Iwould swear to her. | am
certain of her Identity
Then Mr.. Murridge came back and shut the
door.
"Norah," he said, walking I'D and down
the room in considerable agitation, "a very
curious thing has happened"
What is thatF
VI have been robbed"
"Oh, how dreadful Is it muchT'
Il have been robbed-treacherously
robbed" he added, as if most robberies were
open handed and friendly, 'of sixty pounds.
by means of five forged checks, payable to
bearer"
"Ohr
Each was for twelve pounds. Now,
listen. Three were brought to the bank and
cashed by one MANA man who spoke a
foreign accent, and who can be easily identi-
fled. He presented them on the third, the
sixth and thirteenth of this month";
"eh' saIu MORAN, II ne can be identi-
fed, you ought to be able to find him"
"One, also one of the forged checks, was
presented on Friday, the 18th, at a quarter
past twelve, by a young lady Mr.. Muir
ridge watched the effect of his words, and
spoke very slowly. ut was a check for
twelve pounds, payable to bearer. 1t was
cashed by a young lady. What is the mat
ter, NorahF" for the girl had turned white
and reeled as If she was about to faint.
Nothing, Go on, 1t is nothing" But
she was white and frightened, and She trem.
bled, and was fam to sit down. Norah was
a bad actress.