The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-09-25
A LOVERS JEALOUSY.

Robert" said Mr.. Vyse, slowly, gaz
ing fixedly at the young clerk, Il have
no doubt that it is you who have robbed
me-"
The hot blood flooded Robert Acland's
neck and face as he took in the meaning
of the words.
Il swear to you, sir" he cried, pas
sionately, that you wrong me-I swear
it by my SOUL"
IL wish l could believe you, Robert,
Mr.. Vyse replied, "for like you; but.
unfortunately, appearances are too
much against you. What, may l ask.
were you doing at five o'clock yesterday
evening in my private room? Yon had
DO right or business to be there"
Nor was t. returned the young fell
low, proudly, drawing himself up to his
full height. Il have never been in this
room in my life except when yon have
sent me. Has anyone told You that
was here last evening, sir?"
"Yes. Robert; your comrade, Richard
Starkie, assured me of it not ten min /.
utes ago"
Richard Starkie!" exclaimed Acland.
in great wonderment. "Why, he must
be mad. What eau have possessed him
to tell so wicked falsehood? We have
always been good friends, he and l..
Why should he thus try to ruin me p
The words, the tone, were those Of
an innocent man. Mr.. Vyse began to
wayer in his opinion as to Acland's guilt.
Robert he said, more kindly, will
you swear to me before God that you
are innocent?"
Raising aloft his right hand, Il call
the God before whose judgment throne
we both shall one day stand to witness
that am guiltless," he declared. sol
emnly. Surely, sir, you will believe me
now?"
Mr.. vyse held out his hand "Yes,
Robert, believe you" he said, 'and J
beg your pardon for having doubted
you; but what Starkie's motive in ira
ducing you has been am at loss to
understand"
80 am |, sir" answered AclanI. His
conduct is quite reprehensible."
well, Robert" wound up the old
gentleman. as he dismissed his clerk,
'you must promise me one thing-that
YOU will treat Starkie just the same as if
nothing unusual had occurred. II is my
wish"
II will try, sir, but it will be hard
task" Acland replied, as he quilted the
room.
Left alone MIR. Vyse, hale, active
man of 65, lay back in his chair and gave
himself up to thought. But the more
he puzzled over the disappearance o.
his cash box, the further he seemed
from solution of the mystery. 1t was
zone. but by whose hand il was difficult
to say.
OF course the news that their en-
ployer had been robbed ran like wild
fire through the small community. 1t
was Richard Starkie who first made
public the ill news-for no official inti-
nation of it was given; but to his fel-
low-workers he dare not try to incrim-
mate young Acland, for Aclaud was
favorite with his colleagues, and Star
kje knew well that any remark sug-
gestive of his guilt would be received III
stony silence-the silence of sheer dis
belief.
That evening Bob Acland went to see
Elsie Venner. the girl OF his heart.
There was no actual engagement be-
tween them, but Elsie understood quite
well that Bob was only waiting for a
rise of salary before asking her to be his
wife. He had intended to tell her moth
ing about what had occurred at the
office during the day, but the quick
witted girl soon saw that something
was amiss, and taxed him with it, And
after a little hesitation on his part and
a little pressing on hers the whole story
came out.
Il cannot think, darling" finished
Bob, "what has induced Starkie to do
it,"
"Shall tell you?" said Elsie, de-
murely.
"You?"