The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-01

I
Her head lay on Miss Rates shoulder,
and remember that her face looked
most engaging and pretty, half turned
from me as Il was with bright smiles
for our invalid hostess, and with Kate's
luxurious hair falling in soft folds part
ly over her forehead and neck.
~ noticed the package" she con-
tinued pleasantly, "and / thought as the
outer door was open aud the servants
we're constantly passing, Il should be
delivered at once to Colonel Converly,.
So l closed the outer office door and
brought the package back through the
library and sitting room to the dining
room here, where the Colonel and Mrs.
Game were Just inquirinG II the ladies
were ready Tor supper. laid the pack.
age beside Colonel Conyerly's plate and
called his attention TO IL"
"Shortly after We were seated at the
table" began Colonel Conyerly. 81
opened one end OF the package with the
knife at my plate. On counting the
money, / found it S3,2l0 short. then
asked NIr. Caine TO count 1t, II was
counted by all at the table with precise
IL the same result. Immediately
placed the matter in the hands OF my
attorneys at Raleigh, aud" con-
cluded the colonel with some dignity.
az have as yet secured nothing further
than repeated promises by the compa-
ny's officers OF q rigid investigation"
(which is certainly being made" |
replied with far more solemnity than
the immediate occasion seemed to de-
/ T.. No n UInnRnd
at me searchingly and inquiringly.
/ instantly parted their apparent
concern by reference TO the peculiari-
ties OF ponderous otticialism, and half
jokingly begged that while | remained
among them they permit me to regard
each member OF the family as the guilty
party.
"Not as actually guilty." begged.
but as theoretically gnilty-jnst as
every trembling messenger and agent
from Carrollton to South Converly per
force has been"
There was a moments impressive
silence In the great wainscotted room,
while the ancient eight-day clock licked
ominously.
sons lips chokingly, as he hurriedly left
the room. :,
at seems proper and wise to mel"
said Mrs. Canverly in her soft and
gracious tones.
cts Just never so interesting" added
Clara Brathwaite, smiling pleasantly
back to the invalid at the head OF the
table.
"You are the strangest guest We have
~
Kate, with sudden trenor in her
voice. "Ifeel almost afraid OF you now.
Do you intend to harry Us and hurt US
here at Converly Pines as you did poor
cousin Harry at Atlanta"
~ am first going to beg the compass
sion Of you all for the hurt to my own
heart In doing my own duty and even q
higher duty to those beneath this roof"
In the tmpassiveuess OF my glance
into her quivering eyes aud the inex-
orabiity Of my reply, felt that a hint
OF mastery had come.
"Perhaps you are right. Good night"
The ladies now withdrew, aud went
at once with Colonel Converly to his Of
fee.
This Office was dminutive structur-
al addition to the old mansion, peculiar
\ TO the finest southern plantation homes
in slavery times. Within 1t the planter
transacted his business with strangers,
conferred with his overseer, and, moro
curious still, 1t was where, under tie
the olden regime, he was surgeon, ply
stefan and dispensing chemist to his
hundreds Of servants. In this instance,
It was still devoted to its former uses;
and here, under a broad, grated WIN
dow and beside q huge fireplace. Colo
mel Converly did most OF his correspon-
dence upon an antique mahogany desk.
We had no more than entered the Of
fee when his manner instantly chang
ed. He stood leaning against the man
tel, with one foot nervously scraping
the wood ashes back into the fireplace
and his face pathetic picture OF dis
courageme nt and dread.
Colonel Converly," / at once abb
ruptly inquired, will you pardon me
for askingif you have any definite sus-
picion in this matter?"
II havs% he almost gro aued.
"To whom does it point 2"
God help mel-to my own son."
I mentally thanked God that his sus-
picion was directed to but one Of his
children; that he could not zee that
one, perhaps dearer to him, had, In
moment OF overwhelming temptation,
brought shadow upon Converly Pines
which could never be edaced; but his
grief was 80 affecting to me that l lied
to him, out OF hope and compassion,
when said:
~ do not believe it. have almost
nnsitiya Droof otharWigau
"Mr. Euston," he exclaimed grasping
my hands with fierce eagerness, "estab-
lish my sons innocence, and the graft.
tude Of every Converly living will be
yours forever!"
1 had scarcely closed the door OF my
apartment for the night when heard
low but imperative knock upon 1t, and
the heir to Converly Pines had entered
almost in advance Of my bidding. He
walked straight to me and said:
"Mr. Euston, you nave been received
here as q guest. II you are an officer OF
the law, still beg that you will retain
the sacred relation Of guest and triond.
Will you do this"
~ will"
"Will you go with me at the earliest
possible moment tomorrow and let mo
prove my innocence OF what | am con-
scious my father suspects and mako
that innocence unquestiona6ly clear to
him?"
"You may depend upon IT,"
"Then you shall never know want
Eor sorrow 30 long rs a Converly's hand
can brave and dow
l would have stsked my life on his in.
nocence at that moment. knew him