Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-04-17
Who Stole The Bank Notes 2


until the last one died away, b
still he stood irresolrte. He b
entered the library with q fixed pu
pose In his mind. He had wake
across the room with a firm stel
unlocked one Of the drawers in II
heavy oak bureau. and drawn out
small leather case, but there hi
courage had failed him. Suddenl
ne gave guilty start, and for th
first time he noticed that he was nc
alone; young girl rose from tb
depths Of the easy-chair in whicl
she had been sitting, stretched ou
her arms, and with q sleepy yarl
said:
Is that you, BERTHE? l think
shall GO to bed.
| But something in the attitude O
the boy struck her as peculiar; she
looked at the white, haggard face,
the nervous hands, and springino
forward she seized his arm eagerly.
BERTHE, what does this mean ?''
she cried. Are youdrunk or mad ?
What are you going to do with that
revolver? Good heavens! Surely
you are not such a coward as TO
shoot yourself?"
It's no use taking. Helen; I'm
the most miserable fellow on earth
and no good to anybody, so I'm bet
ter out Of ii. -
Sit down, she said, sternly, as
she pushed the trembling figure into
the nearest chair. NOW tell me
everything; mind, you must keen
nothing back"
IN In worse mess than ever
this times Helen. Father said he
wouidn t pay my debts again, and
toturn me out the next
time | displeased him. Well. TO cut
a long story short, owe some mon-
ey-nof o great SUM- only ESQ, but
where can ! get $50? / found faith |
er S cheque book, and think must |
have been mad when | did i'll
know | have been mad ever since
he disgrace II ann found out, and
the boy burst into food of tears.
Whom did you owe this money
to?' said his sister, in acalm voice.
''Gslbert Watson; you know what
he is-as hard as stone. p"
You lost it at cards, suppose?"
Yes"
when did you post it?"
This morning"
''Then he can't cash it before to-
morrow. BERTHE, l shall go and ask
him to give it back tome, and we must
find the money in some other way
You cant go tonight What
would people say If you were seen
going alone to a man s rooms at this
hour.
II must chance that. darent
trust TO a letter, and he is more like
ly to give it TO me than to you. But
one thing more, BERTHE; can trust
you not to be so foolish again?' she
said, with a meaning glance at the
leather case on the table. Il must
have your promise before leave
you alone with that"
Helen. / give you my word OF
honor that will not touch it.
SIS Mr.. Watson at homer"
mot yet; but / am expecting him
every minute, if you care TO wait.
''Thank you, think ! will; it is
important that | should see him as
soon as possible.
Helen felt that the obseqaious
man servant eyed her from head Il
foot as he showed her into luxuri
ously furnished sitting-room, but
she knew it was useless to resent
/ his curiosity. Left TO herself, shs
paced the room in fever of excite
ment, glancing every moment at tb'
clock on the mantlepiece, until a
last she paused before the writing
table and ran her eye carelessl.
over its contents. Her attention
was caught by a pile of unopene'
letters; in breathless haste sh
searched them through.
"Ah, here IL is, as she recognize
her brothers handwriting and th
monogram on the back of the envs
lope; and in her excitement SD
spoke her thoughts aloud. He ha
never opened it. BERTHE win ;
saved.
Putting the letter in her pocke
she rang the bell for the servant.
s'It is too late to wait any longer,
: she explained. Il will commun
cate with Dir. Watson by letter
= necessary"
The next evening Helen was quie
ly reading in her ersitting-room, wh'
!, BERTHE opened the door in state
great excitement; in his hand
Il
!. held copy Of the evening paper.
Read this, he said, in chok'