Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-20

though it vas unusual for him to
leave the table SO soon. | was read
ing an amusing book at the time.
Presently he came down, and saw
he had his small porimanteau with
him, packed, ALFRED" | exclaimed,
where are you going?' Hush" he
cried, looking round in apprehension
to the door; don't talk SO loud
| don't want it known that am go
ing out; you can say in the house
that | am just gone over to the
Glebe Farm" Well, with that be
gan to give him messages for my
sister. "Frances, you are an idiot"
he cried, as i; he was in pain or
anger; 81 am not going TO the Glebc
Farm, but | wish you to say so If
you are asked" "Then where are
you going and when will you be
back" | went on when | had recov-
cred my suTprise-and especially al
his wishing me to convey false
hood. "Monday morning; you shall
know all about 1t them" he answered
Maria he was off like shot. Garry
ing his portmanteau, and stealing on
tiptoe through the hall he went out
at the street door. | thought it very
strange; | though it strange that his
face was so white and his chest
painted so; and he laid hold Of me
and held me for moment, and said
nothing but farewell Does il not
seem strange to you!"
at certainly does" replied Maria.
"Ah, but that strangeness was
nothing" whispered Mrs. Letsome
compared with what has happened
this morning. / have received letter
from him, which you shall see." Shs
produced a key from inside her drest
as she spoke, unlocked an elegan,
notecase inlaid with mother o pearl,
and handed letter to Maria. 1t
was in Mr.. Letsom's hand writing
but it had neither signature nor date,
and they could not make out the
postmark.
"Frances, my dearest, things have
gone wrong with me, and it Is neces-
sary that | absent myself for time.
Be courageous; do not be alarmed at
anything you hear or see; your home
will not be touched. and in my desk
you will find plenty of money to 90
on with. As soon as | can with
safety let you know where | am, so
that you can come to me, | will do
so; but it not be yet a while. Burn
this letter as soon az you have read
it,"
Strange thong like whirlwind,
darted through Maria's mind. Che
felt little doubt that Alfred Letsom's
"going wrong" was connected in
some way with his gambling spec
ulations. 1t was a singular coincid.
ence, that at the very hour on Satur-
day night in which her brother
George was abiding to the prob
able danger, the actual danger, was
falling upon Alfred.
"What do you think" exclaimed
Mrs. Letsmon. "What ought | to
do?"
81 think the first thing for you to
do should be to obey your husband
in burning this letter 1t may not
be safe 70 keep It,"
"Who is to come in here and look
for it?', retorted Mrs. Letsom. But
you don't tell me, Maria, what your
opinion is about Alfred"
| fear that Mr.. Letsom must have
debts that he can not meet" said
Maria, thoughtfully.
"But people do not run away just
for debts, in this mysterious sort of
way" she impatiently replied; "they
ask their creditors to wait, und pay
them by degrees, if they cannot pay
them at once. have settled the
housekeeping bills, and such like
debts, monthly, and | know that the
house rent is paid, so how can we be
! in debit"
Mrs Letsom was interrupted by a
loud Knocking at the door. one
stole to the window, peeped from it
and discerned the face of Mr.. Will
hanson, one of the principals of the
house where her husband was clerk.
His face wore an ominous frown,
and, not giving time for the first
summons TO be answered, he kno cked
again. They heard him ask for Mrs,
LetsOm.
81 won't see him." she uttered, a
nervous terror appearing to seize
her. "Maria, you must see him for
me-" She escaped from the room
by an inner door, and Maria had
just time to pick up Mr.. Letsom's
note and crush it in her hand, when
the merchant entered. She began
explaining that Mrs. Letsom could
not see him, when he interrupted
her.
Madame. | must insist upon see
ing Mrs. Letsom. | beg your par
don-is IL not Miss West? did