The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-12-30

1t was, as she said, an absolute promise
backed by all sorts of solemn oaths, that
the writer, in spite of every possible oppo-
ton, would speedily make her his wife.
And it was signed "Your adoring Mark
Croxton
''0ne look at this thought Mark,
''would kill my aunt as certain as a pistol
bullet through the heart. \ dangerous
thing in the hands of a frantic crea
ture like this girl, whether my cousin
means to keep his promise to her or not.
must have this letter at any cost,
We'll, sir, said poor Mary LOTUS, with
her hands clasped, as if he held her life in
his keeping.
Miss Lotus, you certainly don't know
much about me; but think you have con-
fidence in me, or you would not trust a
letter like this in my possession for sin
gle moment have proposition to make.
Let me keep this letter for two weeks
until can see my cousin-and will give
you hundred dollars; and at the end of
that time, on my honor, you shall have
| your letter again You must decide quick
ly, for | must return to the house, or they
will come here in search of me.
Coras treasure and its casket comprised
the only money he had about him; but
the crisis did not admit of an instants
delay, and, of course, he could make up
Cora's loss at any time-a still handsomer
portemonnaie with proper inclosurc-and
severe lecture on the value of money and
the evil of careless habits.
So he held out the temptation-the
pretty pocketbook, the thick roll of notes
under the covetous gaze of poor Mary
LOTUS, who, perhaps, had never owned ten
dollars at any one time in her life.
aOh, sir, you will give me my letter
again ?" she said, with a gasp, struggling
but yielding with every passing instant.
He would, on his word as a gentleman,
and the exchange was made.
With hasty good night, he left the
girl turning over the notes in dream, and
walked swiftly back to the house. As he
entered the parlor he saw there was a
commotioD.
The dancing had ceased People by
twos and threes had drifted together and
were conversing earnestly, and near a
window his aunt was seated, and on an
ottoman at her feet sat Cora Ailsworth.
He knew intuitively that by this time
the money had been missed but still he
hoped they would not break up the party
because hundred dollars had disappeared,
and he smiled at the reflection that Cora,
in reality, thought as much of money as
anyone.
His aunt, spying him, called him to her
and hastily related what had happened.
He was, of course, properly astonished and
indignant, apd began a homily ad-
dressed to Miss Ailsworth upon his favor
ite text; but that troubled young lady
quickly cut him short.
"Pooh It is not the money, but the
protemonnaie, she said, almost crying.
"My poor mother'sl' And with the great
est effort keeping back her tears, she told
him how she valued it as keepsake.
'fGet them to dancing again, Mark, y
said Aunt Alice. "Cora is nearly over
come. We will return presently; and L
depend on you to keep these people
amused.
An appalling Office for Mark. But be-
fore he could protest his aunt and Cora had
retreated, and there was really nothing for
it but to do what he could.
So assuming confidence that he by no
means felt, he took charge as master of
ceremonies, and soon had the music going
as before. and his friends skipping and
| frisking and setting to each other in the
giddy dance,
Meanwhile old Aunt Alice, who had
had her theory about the robbery from the
first, was not idle.
Inquiry among the servants showed that
a woman had been seen lettering at the end
Of the avenue that evening. Sarah Bill
lock, the dairymaid, had seen something
moving" near the spring house as late as
halfpast eight So all the servants now
at Briar Hill-foreign and domestic-were
impressed into service and dispatched to
search the grounds.
Mark Croxton, with roll of music in
his hand, was just In the midst Of the Lam
GERS, eloquently calling upon all to prepare
for the grand chain" when in burst Aunt
Alice and Cora with the news that the
thief of the pearl pocketbook had been
found,
neIc WIS Il Iuott W VIC uoof ouN q thO-
mentary pressure there; and then the
crowd fell back and group Of servants
! some grave and excited, some giggling-
were seen surrounding pale, frightened,
slender and very pretty girl-our unlucky
friend Mary Lotus.
Mark Croxton was thunderstruck. He
followed his first impulse-a prudent at
least and | am afraid, acowardly one -and
stepping behind one of the two pillars, from
floor to ceiling, at either end Of this stately
room, and so was effectually hidden, where
at the same time he could observe all that
followed.
Mary LOTUS cried bitterly, and of her
explanations those about her could make
nothing, and practical Aunt Alice suggest