The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-11-13
A LOVERS JEALOUSY.

Robert" said Mr.. Nyse. 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- swear
it by my souli'
Il wish l could believe you, Robert"
Mr.. Nyse replied, for l like you; but.
unfortunately, appearances are too
much against you What. may | ask
were you doing ut five O'Clock yesterday
evening in my private room? You had
no right or business TO be there"
"Nor was L. 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 you have
sent me. Has anyone told you that l
was here last evening. sir2"
Yes. Robert; your comrade. Richard
Starkie. assured me of it not ten min
utes ago
Richard Starkiei" exclaimed Acland.
in great wonderment. ''Why. he must
be mad. What can have possessed him
to tell so wicked falsehood? We have
always been good friends. he and /.
Why should he thus try TO ruin me -
The words. the tone, were those Of
an innocent man. Mr.. Nyse began To
waver in his opinion as to Acland'> 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 l am guiltless,'' ne declared. sol
EMMY. Surely, sir, you VII believe me
now?"
Mr.. WISE held out his hand. Yes.
Robert, l believe you. he said. land I
beg your pardon for having doubted
you; but what Starkie's motive in ira
ducing you has been | am at loss to
understand"
$50 am |. sir" answered AcIand. 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.'
Il will try. sir, but it will he a hard
task" Acland replied, as he quilted the
| room.
OF course the news that their en-
ployer had been robbed ran like wild
fire through the small community. II
was Richard Starkie who first made
public the i'll news-for no official init
nation of il was given; but to his fel-
low-workers he dare not try 10 incrim-
| mate young AcIand. for Acland was
favorite with his colleagues. and Star
kie knew well that any remark sug-
IL
stony siIence-the silence of sheer dis
| belief.
That evening Bob Acland went to se,.
Elsie Nenner, the girl OF his heart
There was no actual engagement he
tween them, but Elsie understood quiz I
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 little hesitation on his part and
| n little pressing on hers the whole story
came out.
Il cannot think. darling" finished
Bob, what has induced Star<ie to do
it"
..ShaII 1 tell you?" said Elsie. de
murely.
| ''Nou?"
'sYes. l. I can. YOU know" And
then she proceeded to relate how Richard
Starkie had a few days before asked heI
TO marry him. and, on her refusal. flowr
into n violent rage. not only heapiIE
anathemas on her head. but also oI
Bob.
And YOU believe he has attempted L
lay the theft at my door TO blacken my
character in your eyes? What a scoun
drel the fellow must be-"
.If you had seen the look on his fac
when he left me, replied the girl, ''yo'
would think as / do. that he is capab
of anything"
Next day Bob Acland repeated to MI
WISE the conversation he had held wit
Elsie Venner.
Meanwhile Richard Starlie in
very unhappy frame of mind. He ha
just sufficient manhood left to he alb!
to appreciate the unutterable currisi
ness of his own conduct. But that di
not tend to make him sorry for what h
had done. No. ii rather embittered hin
still more against his rival \ mani
for gambling. i&herited from his fathcl
who had bet away a large estate dui
ing his life. dying only just in time {
save himself from actual starvation
had in the first instance made him shol
of money
In order to retrieve his position he b,
still more heavily. and again lost /
luck pursued him from day to day, ii
at last, unable to meet the demand
made upon him. exposure stared him i
the face: and exposure. he knew. mear
prompt dismissal from Mr.. Nyse
service. In this dilemma he stole II
cash box, and IL was only when gioatIn
over its contents that the idea of sac
ding Acland with the theft occurre
to him. Irresolute i'm this. rs in everl
thing else. he wavered some time b
fore finally deciding to commit this las
piece of villainy. hnt his evil genius, 1
always. prevailed
Curse the fellowi" he ground OF
between his clenched teeth. ''If only
can ruin him. If only / can make Els
despise and loathe him. What is
that he should steal her from me? L
win her yet in spite of him
1t was Mr.. Vyse's custom to go for
walk. unless the day was very wet. IN
tween the hours of - and I. He usuall
went down the high road straight out
the town for mile. returning HON
over the fields and through small plaI
tation. few DAYS after the loss {
the cash box. he took the accustome
path. Dot, his favorite dog. half pointc
half retriever. accompanied him.
ha a Of r.lsar