Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-11-15
THE LOST BANK NOTE.
By Mrs. Henry Wood,
THE Loss.

"Where did she send the money!"
ITO Middleham, 10 her brother
George" replied Mr.. West. Il can
not take legal proceedings against
her-she's my only brothers child
but expose her ] will. This comes
of giving a home TO relations,
What reason did she give for going
over to Wyndham:"
"She would not give any, although
| asked her. She said she wanted to
do an errand for himsf. Frances
dear me, how suspicious 1t looks,
now our eyes are opened-wished to
90 with her, but Maria declined her
company. She must 90 alone, she
said"
Mr.. West paced the room in per
turbation. lie deemed it a clear
case of guilt. He sent for Maria TO
come to him and saw her alone.
"Where did you get that ten
pound note that you sent to George
last Wednesday:' he abruptly be-
gan.
She was taken by surprise, and
her face flushed to confusion.
81 would rather not say she
stammered out. 4 had it from
friend, and l promised not to say"
81 don't believe you. What friend
have you here likely to lend or give
you money, except myself or my
wife? Last Monday mean yes
terday week-you told me that you
did not possess a shilling in the
world, Was that trueY'
Maria was very much panied and
troubled; but she was obliged to give
an answer; her stern uncle stood be-
fore her waiting for it.
ut is true ! did not then, uncle;
but indeed | did have some money
given to me later
81 don't doubt it," he sarcasticalIy
reioiued "W hat did you do with
the rest:'
"What rest" she faltered,
alarmed at his manner.
Mr. West approached her and
Kissed forth in her ear, "Ihe rest OF
the hundred pound note that Is miss
ing from your aunts desk. 1t was
you took il; it was you changed II.
Maria, could rather have believed
any one in the house Guilty than
you, my brothers child"
Surprise and dismay struggled tor
mastery in Maria's countenance.
"Uncle," she gasped forth, "uncle.
what are you saying"
81 have been today to try and
trace the hundred pounds. | find
that on "Wednesday last you took
out post-otiice orders to send ten
pounds to Midlothian, which you
must have paid for out of the note
Where did you change it?
Maria burst into a storm of tears.
She scarcely knew what words she |
spoke, save that they were an in
dignaut and unqualified denial, but !
she spoke them In anger-that her
own uncle was capable of suspecting !
np7 Of crime, For a few minutes
there was quite connection, Mr.. |
West was loud and bitter, while
Maria treated the charge an an out
rage-an insult; but her sobs exhasut-
ed her, and her uncle Gained down.
"You say you know nothing of the
note; where then, did you get the
money you paid into the pOst-otfice:"
he kept reiterating; aud Maria bent
her head, but made no reply. "You
were pretty lavish of money, to send
present of ten pounds 10 your
brother. What could he do with it?
only throw it away on mischief. As
/ have said to your aunt, | can not
bring you to public punishment, for
ii would reflect disgrace on all who
bear the name of West. What is to
become of you:"
Maria essayed TO interrupt him,
but her sobs were loud and quick, land
drowned the words. "Wha is to
become of you, | say, you unhappy
girl? Did you think of future when
you helped yourself to what was not
yours? Do you suppose Alfred
Letsom will make you his wife now"
But Mr.. West was talking to one
who heard him not; for Maria had
lost consciousness. He summoned
aid. They laid her on a couch; but
when she revived, it was not to full
reason, but to species of delirium.
1t was the commencement of an
illness that Iasted many weeks. The
fatigue of attending on her aunt for
months and months, the shock and
distress caused her by the visit of
George, the quick following shock
of her aunt's sudden death, and now
the terror of the accusation, all com
bined to tell upon a system not ever
strong, and nervous fever super
yaoad Meanwhile the news flew |