Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-10-16
Meanwhile, surrounded by her new

meanwhile, surrounded by her new
found friends, little Oracle little
dreamed of the infamous plot that had
been laid with such mastery cunning TO
wreck her future happiness
She had returned from her visit to
the morgue in company with Lawyer
Edgar, and both were now impatiently
awaiting the return OF Mr.. Bancker
from the Tombs, in order to open such
papers as had been found upon the per-
son of Nicholas Garland, in the pres.
ence of the detective.
He came at last, and reported that
he had seen Boyden safely incarcer-
ated, an announcement which was re-
ceived with silent satisfaction. Then
bright little Mrs Molly Bancker bus.
tied about and cleared table, at which
they all sat down, and the papers were
| produced
They proved to be two letters, and
some odd scraps of accounts and bills
of no importance in the case. Nat,
urally, then, the attention OF all pres.
emit was directed TO the letters, the first
Of which was addressed, in an I'M.
couth, scrawling hand, to miss Grace
| Clifford"
II was the first time that the poor
girl had seen her name set forth, SO
that the ready tears sprang to her eyes,
binding her so that she was forced to
hand the letter to the lawyer to read.
Its contents, badly spelled and blotted.
Mr.. Edgar read aloud, as follows:
Should anything happen to me suddenly
! believe that l should rest easier in nv
! grave If make clean breast of my part Of
| me secret OF your life. young lady. Your
F., hther's purpose in putting you under my
| ,harge in your infancy have no business
| . reveal: that must remain between his
| Sod and himself-and you to find out,
What wish to say and do hereby take nv
| solemn oath to, is that you are no child Of
mother still lives. and do beseech YOU, il
rou have any love in your heart. to find her
| out, hear her story for yourself, and Judge
her as have judged. Pray God to pardon
ne for the wrong have DONE
NICHOLAS GARLAND.
At the close of the reading of this
mysterious communication dead silence
Tell upon the little group, broken only
by the sobbing of little Oracle, where
she rested her head upon the bosom O!
good Mrs. Bancker, weeping as though
her heart would break.
Mechanically the lawyer took UP ths
second letter, which was contained in an
oblong, grimy yellow envelope, and
started as his eyes rested upon the SUI
prescription.
why, this letter is addressed to
Mrs Clarissa Clifford, widow of the
late Orrin Clifford y he exclaimed.
In trice Oracle sat erect, dashinp
the tears from her eyes, and holding
out her hand.
That letter is for my mother" she
said; give it to me and I will give il
to her with my own hands, for am 90.
ing to search the whole world over until
find her.
| Had you not better read it?' sug.
gested Detective Bancker, ut may give
you some clue to her whereabouts ?"
mo-" was the firm response, at il
addressed to her and sealed. l have
40 right nor wish to pry into its con
iehts without her permission.
| And she placed the sacred trust II
her bosom, never to leave that safe re
septacle until her missing mother was
found.
"That settles that point" remarked
Mr. Bancker; "well, we don't seem tc
have discovered the lost will"
No" answered the lawyer, land
fear we never shall. 1t looks to me al
if it had been destroyed"
"Oh, don't get down in the mouth
sir, until the last gun fires!" responded
Mr.. Bancker; that's my policy, and
it's good one in desperate case like
the present. Now / propose that we
meet in this room at twelve o'clock sharr
tomorrow morning, which will give me
time to examine every haunt of the mar
Garland, since his arrival back in this
country. am persuaded that the ole
building up in Harlem was used only az
blind, kind of lair, and, consequently
he must have lodged elsewhere. will
make it my duty to discover just where
and who knows what shall find there;
In the Meantime Miss Oracle will re-
main with my wife, and we shall be GLAD
TO have you stay with us, Mr. Edgar, il
ron can put up with our humble fare.
But with many thanks the lawyer ex
FUSED himself, and soon after returned
y" WIG iiCVoi, AHFiuS uIbb bhlu lew
words of comfort and encouragement tc
Oracle. And so the pregnant hours
pped on.
They saw nothing from that hour OF
Mr.. Bapcker, until just as the clock
was striking noon upon the following
day, when he suddenly made his ap-
pearance in their midst, the same little
company being convened. His face be-
trnyed nothing as he took his seat,
though every eye was upon him with
eager scrutiny. 1t was his first words
which cruelty dashed their hopes.
"No success" he said; "the will is
lost!p
You have searched everywhere ?" in.
quired the lawyer.
"Everywherel"
"The old building contained moth
ing2"
Nothing I searched every crack
and Granny, even had the floors taken
up and the cellar dug over. It is as
bare as barn!"
But you thought Garland might
have had lodging placer" suggested
Mr.. Edgar, still vainly hoping.
so he had; q wretched garret-room
down in Houa{ov, st~ook It'll ~