Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-08-14

herself down in her dressing-gowu,
ready for any emergency; but the night
passed without any disturbance of any
kind.
Early ON the following morning Mr..
Lane arrived from his late business trip,
and ut ciSht o'clock the family repaired
to the breakfast-roon, where, with one
exception, the table was nicely laid.
"Why, Betty" said her mistress;
"wherc is the siIvcr."
The girl stared.
"Surc, ua'am, I thought you'd tuck
'cm out O the coal scuttlc. / went to
get EN-, and they weren't there"
"Not therel Why, haven't been
near the scutt!e; neither has NIaudc nor
Mr. Lane"
All fastened to examine the impro-
viscd plate safe. 1t stood where it had
been left, at the head of the kitchen
stairs, but the cin,lcrs which it had con-
tanned were scattered on the floor, and OF
the silver concealed beneath, there was
not sign.
Appalled, ut the discovery, Mrs. Lane
proceeded to look after her other hidden
vaiuabies. The mantic-va5c appeared all
right, until the plumy pampas and crys-
tallized gasses were removed, disclosing
within an utter vacuum
The gold watch the money aud the
jcwclry had all disappeared
"What could it mean? No possible
explanation offered, aud while they all
stood staring blankly, the door bell rang,
and Betty, who answered it, FASTENED
back to say that MIR. Minor wished to see
Mr.. Lane on particular business.
'Particalar business, indeed - growled
Maude's papa, savagcly. "iIadnt he
sense enough to choose a more reasonable
hour: But stay. I'll see him; for the
sooner the business is settled the bet
ter
The two ladies aDXiously listened TO
the mirmur of voices from the parlor.
The interview was brief, for presently
Mr.. Lane came hurriedly back and pro-
ceeded to put on his hat ard overcoat
al think we've got clue to the rob-
berry, Emeinc," he observed, rs he strug-
gicd into the latter garment THAT
young Minor tells Inc that us he was
passing here last night, he observed a
boy hanging around the house, aud
thinking his manner suspicious, he spoke
to him, though the fellow walked oil
without answering. However, he thinks
he recognized him rs Joe Finnerty, II
boy who pcddles about the offices down
town. Minor says, that feeling uneasy,
he came around thus early this morning
to inquire after the family, and ON being
informed by Bette at the door, OF what
had happened, instantly suspected Joe of
having had a hand in it. We are now
going round to the police office, So rs to
lose 10 time"
Maudc pecpcd from the window, aud
despite her trouble at the loss OF her
jewels, smiled radiantly rs she saw her
father and her lover proceeding down
the street together, to all appearance on
the most amicablc terms
When MIR. Lane returned to dinner,
he seemed in very compacent mood.
"Thc matter is all cleared up," he
said. 'Ioc Finncrty was the thief and
burglar, just us conjecturcd."
"As Mr.. Minor conjcclurcd, you mean,
papa, " said Maude, with emphasis.
"Wcll, well, let him wear his laureis.
| confess that he's rather more scnsi-
bic young fellow than | gave him credit
for though he does wear his hair partcd
in the middle and has a complexion like
a girls. But as to Finnerty, he broke
down and confessed as soon as he was
arrested. II was he who stole the door
mat, and, with the assistance of another
boy, committed the burglary"
'But how on earth did he know inst
where 10 find the things?' Mrs. Lane
inquired
"That is easily explained You gave
him instructions. 1t seems that after
slyly dragging the mat Off the porch, he
hid it under the steps until lie could car
ry II OF III the darkness and there dis.
covered an uns ccurcd cellar window,
and at the same time overheard YOU, con-
vcrsation with Mrs. Coleman. Oh. it
{ takes woman TO manage things clever
ly!'
And it took Charlie to find it all
out, said Mau lie, triumphantly You
ought to he very grateful to him, papa,
as he acted so kindly TO us willie YOU
were away and saved us our property. "
lie viii be around this evening"
i.' i"'hc' icIiiei, Us calmly as though
his inviting Charlie to tea was an every
day occurrence
Ana Maude instantly commenced pre-
pairing for her father his favorite salad.
''But that poor boy said Mrs. Lane,
with remorseful consciousness of hayiur
been the cause of his temptation-"wii!
he go TO PRISON."
81 think not. More probably he will
DC sent TO the new House of Reformation,
where he may learn to become a GOOD
and honest citizen. In any event this
VIII be profitable lesson for him--as il
ought to be with you, EmeIine. Only
woman would think Of standing on the
street mnd telling important secrets to
her neighbors. saturday Night.
Erux n Ginnt;,