Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-11-28
d: HYDE IS THE THIEF" :

lis HdluFe, Ndu, strange To say, a con
fused belief in clairvovance. He eac
it again, folded itreverently and placed
it in his pocketbook.
If there had been any doubts in hi.
mind as to the identity of the thiet
before his discovery Of this mysterious
accusation, they were at once dis.
PEELED.
All that remained TO be done was tc
trace the marked bills. He went out
and hunted up the constable, whom he
took into his confidence.
This worthy notified all parties with
whom the thief would be at all likely
to have any dealings to be on the look
ont for the marked bank notes.
Bruce went home that night tired,
but inwardly satisfied,
After the exhibition of so much sa-
gacity, it would have been we'll if he
had been content to let matters take
their own course.
Never dreaming that his daughter
would refuse to credit the evidence
which to his mind was irrefutable,
Bruce called Miss Edith to him and ar
raigned the absent clerk.
The result might have been foreseen.
Viewed through sp~ectacles of common
sense, the evidence against Hyde did
not amount to anything more than sus-
picion.
Very naturally, too, the girl resented
what looked to her like 4 mean attempt
to injure her lover.
If you want to insure your rivals
success with a lady, injure him-the
more deeply the better for him.
1t was a stormy scene. and ended in
an apology which cost Bruce an effort.
He retired a second time discounted.
yet inwardly of the same opinion. Tom
Hyde was the thief, and he would prove
it in a manner that would leave even
that partisan daughter of his no room
for doubt.
Now, a new servant had been recent
ly added to the establishment of Mr.,
Bruce. This was Nora Mccormick,
who had not been forty.eight hours on
the place before two things had hap
pened to her. First, she had made cap
tive the heart of a strapping Young
countryman of hers, who did odd Jobs
about the neighborhood, and who re-
joieed in the name of Grattan Flynn.
BE it known that Jaynes Bruce's ex-
ecutive ability did not confine itself en-
tirely to his business, Oh no. It was
a pet idea of his that women have no
system or order about them. and so
periodically he went over the house
from cellar to cupola, dragging with
him the dOmestics, who turned pale at
his approach.
When a new servant was hired, he
read the unfortunate a lecture on what
was expected of her, which resulted in
the servant leaving the house at once
a rage, or taking refuge in tears and
Mysteries.
lneither case Bruce was an object of
terror ever afterward. This was the
second thing worthy OF note that had
happened to Nora
1t was Nora's night out, and conse-
late when she was escorted
by the gallant and attentive
Flynn. They sat down on the rustic
beneath the maple tree.
They had sat there but a few min.
ties when the chill air caused Nora ito
70 inside for a wrap"
She stepped into the ~woodshed.
Scarcely had She disappeared when
lynn espied some one coming toward
he tree across lots.
A momen later the moonlight re-
ealed the features of Jaynes Bruce.
Grattan had a wholesome dread of
anger, inspired by the latter
'hen Flynn vas doing work for him.
Stealing from behind the tree. which ]
ad hitherto sheltered him from obser.
alton, Flynn came to the edge Of the l
'ng'neglected well, now nearly filed
l by the broken glass, old boots and
dds and ends of rubbish, for which il i
adj long formed a convenient reposi. )
Dry.
Into this he slipped.
Above the humping of his heart he :
card the footsteps draw nearer. ,
presently that organ stood still. for /
lace appeared over the verge and
eered vacantly into the darkness.
Inc owner of the face raised his hand a
5 II to launch some missile down upon :
he terrified Flynn. h
Hold on! Ill come out,n how,ed !
lynn and the next moment he bound. S
q from his hiding place, nearly knock.
,g Bruce over.
a dazed look came into the eyes Of Sc
he latter. ~ ~
Where I'm II" he asked.
urattan looked at him sharply, and
uttered: Wv """
Drunk, begorra.' &c
Then aloud he said: -
"You are at the old wcll,- !,
Bruce sat down and held his head In :,
Is names, while Grattan Flynn nodded u
wihked to an imaginary GRO Sd. Il
Suddenly Bruce exclaimed;
II have II! I've been walking In INV n,
leep' haven't done II before since I q
'as a boy, aud ! thought I'd outgrowu o
he habit"
A ray Of lig.it entered his brain.
He turned pale, gasped, seized Flvnr ~
y the arm, and, thrusting q dollar "
ito his hand, exclaimed: a,
mot a word Of this! You under. :,
.audP"
''Niver u word" said the mystiaed "
lynn, wlnking knowingly and walk. Il
g Of. ",
Bruce went quietly into the house n,