The record-union., 1894-12-01

begged that While l renamed among
them they permit me to regard each
member of the family as the guilty
party.
Not as actually guilty." begged, "but
as theoretically guilty = just as every
trembling messenger and agent from Car
rollton TO South Converly perforce has
been"
There was a moments impressive si-
lence in the great wainscoted room,
while the ancient eight-day clock ticked
ominously.
This is terrible." came from the sons
lips chokingly, as he hurriedly left the
room.
1T seems proper and wise to me,"' said
Mrs. Converly in her soft and gracious
tones
tits just never so interestingr ~ added
Clara Brathwaite, smiling pleasantly
back to the invalid at the head of the
table
You are the strangest guest we have
ever known, Mr.. Euston," said Miss
hate, with sudden tremor in her voice.
Il feel almost afraid of you now. Do you
lntend to harry us and hurt us here at
Gonverly Pines as you did poor cousin
Harry at AIlanta?"
Il 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 a
higher duty to those beneath this roof"
In the impassiveness Of my glance into
her qulvering eyes and the ineXOrabiIity
OF my reply, felt that hint of mastery
had come
Perhaps you are right. Good-nightv' %
She gave me her hand as she left the
table, and in its momentary pressure
there was surely that mutual recognition
OF things, so subtle and yet so mighty,
thought, that could l have then sped
with this lovely creature away from the
1rn l.,s-H Il
loyously have sought instant flight;
hight that would have averted from Kate
Converly and myself perhaps the Keen
est suffering we shall ever know.
The ladies now withdrew, and l went
at once with Colonel Converly to his
office.
This office was a diminutive structural
addition to the old mansion, peculiar to
the finest Southern plantation homes in
slavery times. Within it the planter
transacted his business with strangers,
conferred with his OVerseer, and, more
curious still, it was where, under the
oIuen regime, he was surgeon, physician
and dispensing chemist to his hundreds
OF servants. In this instance, it was still
devoted to its former uses; and here, un-
der broad, grated window and beside
huge fireplace, Colonel Converly did
most OF his corresp spOndence upon an
antique mahogany desk.
We had no more than entered the office
when his manner instantly changed. He
stood leaning against the mantel, with
one foot nervously scraping the wood
ashes back into the fire. place and his face
pathetic picture of encouragement and
dread.
Colonel Couverly," l at once abruptly
inquired, will you pardon me tor ask
ing II you have any definite suspicion in
this matter?"
I'I hava -, aI rrroopo1
TO whom does it poiut?"
God help mei-to my own son."
| mentally thanked God that his sus-
picion was directed to but one of his
children; that he could not see that one,
perhaps still dearer to him, had, in mo-
ment Of overwhelming temptation,
brought q shadow upon Converly Pines
winch could never be etfaced; but his
grief was so affecting to me that L lied to
him, out OF hope and compassion, when
l said:
'I do not believe it. 1 have almost
positive proofs otherwise"
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 foreverr'
had scarcely closed the door of my
apartment Ior the night when / heard a
low bat imperative knock upon it, and
I1C hOAi ~ SOuNSLly IE6S nau entered
almost IN advance of my bidding. lie
walked straight to me and said:
Mr. Euston, you have been received
here as a guest. If you are also an officer
OF the law L still beg that you will retain
the sacred relation of guest and friend.
Viii you do thiS?"
Il will"
"Wiu you go with me at the earliest
possible moment tomorrow and let me
prove my innocence of what [ am con-
sclous my father suspects and make that
innocence unquestionably clear 10 him?"
on may depend upon it,"
Then you shall never know want nor
sorrow SO long as Conyerly's hand can
brave and do"
would have staked my life on his in
nocence at that moment. [ knew him to
be innocent when the next day was
closed and | had brought mex pressibIe
Joy to all at Converly Pines, in my en-
thuslaStlc recital 10 his father Of the alb
soIute thoroughnesS with which his sons
movements on the evening OF the arrival
OF the package had been scrutinized,
But the bitterness had been lifted from
the fathers heart and sunk within nv
own. For every hour that now passed |
loved, more and more hopeIessly. the
one being in that home whom my duty
must lrrevocably snare in the meshes of
her fatal crime.
Innumerable little diffidences, sudden
starts, distracted musings, efforts at
galety, stolen glances anu embarrassed
speeches, pointed with unerring finger to
this queenliest of women; and, aside from
these, L had discovered almost absolute
proof of her guilt.
Colonel Converly stoutlv asserted to me
that no letter ever left his Office without
being sealed with wax. He was equally
positive that he had never sealed a letter
over his office fireplace. Yet L had dis
covered that one OF the ornamental tops
of the brass tire-dogs almost exactly tit
ted the curious seals of the ritled package;
and upon the brickwork in front of the
tireguard had found several splatches of
hardened wax.
In the brief time that Kate Converly
had remained alone and unobserved in
her fathers office she opened, robbed and
resealed the money package and left it
behind her in guilty fear. not daring to
place 1t in her fathers hands!
1t IS needless to dwell upon my own
sutferlngs; my struggles TO contemn
where l loved; my conflicts between
friendship and honorable duty; my agony
through the unhappy days, when a thou-
sand times L was on the point of begging
this beautiful girl TO confess and To re-
store all, and through the long nights
when l pleaded with God to reveal else
than despair for myself and endless
shame for all at Conyerly Pines.
But day came when l could find no
excuse for remaining longer; a day when
Clara Brathwaite must return to her
friends also, and we could proceed 10
New York together; when the Con-
verlys all accom- panied their fair guest in
the great family wagOnette to the station
all but Kate, who by my side and on
horseback, led me over the river path be-
meath the mighty. sobbing pines; a day
when we rode for miles together without
word; when my heart was being torn