The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1892-01-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
MYSTERIOUS ROBBER.

The sun Shnnc on Darrell Court; the
warmth and brightness of the day were more
than pleasant. The sunbeamS fell on the
stately trees, the brilliant flowers. There
was deep silence in the mansion. Captain
Langton had been gone some hours Sir OS-
wald was in his study. Pauline sat with
Miss Hastings under the shade of the cedar
on the lawn. She had n book in her hands,
but she had not turned page. Miss last
ingS would fain have said something to her
about inattcntion, but there was Il look in
the girls face that frightened hcr-a proud,
hard, cold look that she had never seen there
before.
Pauline Darrell was not herself that morn
ng. Miss Hastings had told her so several
times. She had asked her again and again if
she was ill--if she was trcd-and she had
answered drearily. NO Partly to cheer
her the govemess had suggested that they
should take their books under the shade of
the cedar tree. She had aS>cntcd wcarily,
without one gleam of animation.
Out there in the sunlight Miss Hastings
noticed how cold and white PauliuC'S face
was. with its hard, set lo0k-thcre was a
shadow in the dark eyes, and, Unijn" herself,
she started at every sound. Mis- Hastings
watched her Eccmy. She Cviucrd no dis
pleasure at being 50 watched; but when the
elder lady went up to her and said, gently:
Pauline. YOU are surely either i'll or un-
happy
Il ann ncithcr-l am only thinking," she
returned. impatirntly.
"Then your thuughts must be very mn
pleasant ou,s-tr.l them Ia me. Nothing
sends away unpleasant ideas 50 soon - com
mNicatimg them To others
But Miss Darrell had evidently not heard
the words; she had rtlaI.scd into deep medi-
tation, and Miss Hastings Thought il better
to leave her alone. Suddenly Pauline look
ed up.
Miss Hastings" she said, Il suppose a
solemn promise, solcmnly given, can never
be hrokcn?'
1T never should be broken" replied the
governess. Instances have been known
where people have preferred death to break
ing such promise
Yes, such deaths have been known. |
should imagine" commented Pauline, with
a gleam of light on hcr face, that no Dar.
rcll ever broke his or her word when it had
been Solcmny given"
Il should imagine not" said Miss Hast
ings.
But she had no clew to her pupils musings
or 10 the reason of her question.
So the noon-day shadows crcpt on. Pur-
ple-winged butterflies coQuettcd with the
flowers, resting on the golden breasts of the
white lilies, and on the crimson leaves OF the
rose; busy bees murmurcd over the rich Glove
carnations; the birds sang sweet jubllant
songs, and n gentle breeze stirred family the
leaves on the trees. For once Pauline Oar
rcli seemed blind to the warm sweet summer
beauty; it lay unheedcd before her.
Miss Hastings saw Sir Oswald coming to-
ward them; Il mumur of surprise came from
her lips.
Pauline" she said, look at Sir Oswald
how i'll he seems. am afraid something is
wrong"
He drew near to them, evidently deeply
agitatcd.
81 am glad to find YOU here, Miss Hast
ingS, ," he said; II am in trouble. Nay, Pau
line do not 90; my trouble should be yours. "
For the girl had risen with IN air of proud
WEAKNESS, intending to leave them together.
At his words--thc kindcSt he had spoken to
her for some tjme-shc took her seat again;
but the naughty listess manner did not
change.
Il am nearly sixty years OF age said Sir
Oswald, land this is the first time such 4
trouble has come TO me. Miss Hastings, do
you remember that conversation of ours last
night, over that roll of notes in the ebony
bON?'
Il remember it perfectly, Sir Oswald"
IL went this morning to take them from
the box, TO take their numbers and send
them TO the bank. and could not find them
they Were gone"
Gone" repeated Miss Hastings. 1T is
impossible! Iou must be mistaken; YOU
must have overlooked them. What did they
amount tor
Exactly one thousand pounds, ," he replied.
81 cannot understand it, You saw me re-
place the notes in the boX?"
IL did; | watched you. You placed them
in one corner. could put my finger on the
place" said Miss Hastings.
Il locked the box and carried it with my
own hands 10 my study. | placed it in the
drawer of my wri ing-tablc, and locked that.
never parted with my keys 10 any one; rs
is my nyariable rule, | placed them under
my pillow. | slept soundly all night and
when | woke found them there. As tell
YOU have been to the box, and the notes are
gone | cannot understand IT, for do not
see any indication of a theft, and yet have
been robbed.
Miss Hastings looked very thoughtful.
You have certainly been robbed" she
sand. Are YOU sure the keys have never
lett your poSs"Sson"'
Never for one single moment he replied
"lias any one in the house duplicate
key>?" she asked.
No | bought the hoN years ago IN
Venice; it has peculiar lock-thcrc is moi
nn, in En land like IL
at Is very strange said Miss Hastings
"A Thousand pounds is no tr.iIr To lose"
Pauline Darrell, her face turned TO tn,
flowers. uttered no word.
You might show some little interest Pun
line" said her uncle, sharply: "you might
have the grace to affect it, even il you DO mo
feel IT,"
Il am very sorry indeed" she returned
| coldly. Il am gricyed that You have la,
| such i loss.
Sir Oswald looked pacicd
1T is not 80 much the actual loss of tho
| money tbtt has grirycd me-" he said 81
! shall not lrrl IL Hut am distressed Ia thini
| that there Should be a thief among the pco
| pie | have loved and trusted"
.Nbat a solemn council - intrrruutrl thu