Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-12-04

oh, father, how can / endure It any
longer! | am dishonored, and you, my
1iotner and Beatrice are also disgraced
lt VIII kill me. l have been accused Of
inert! oh, father, can you comprehend
the seriousness Of this accusation?"
Inc generals face became as pale az
human face could get and still be
living one.
MY son accused of theft? Oh, this
cannot be true. There is some mistake.
MY son, you can surely prove to the con-
trary?"
mo, no, / cannot! My position is SO
pecuhar that | am entirely powerless in
tne hands OF my accuser. Nobody can
olsbelleve the charge"
victor, you are greatly excited and
look upon the dark side more chan neces-
sary. My erother will surely help you
Win ms advice and assistance"
lie has already denounced me-" cried
the young man, land has discharged me
from the firm"
The general battled manfully for a few
moments; then sank upon a chair.
And you, too, father? Do you also
DOUBT me? Victor asked in broken ac-
cents
NO, my son; am grievcd to hear that
my brother, who is usually a close OBJ
server, pronounced such a hard sentence
upon you. However, he is not infalli-
Die, and may be mistaken. To me, your
father, your word is sufficient No mat
ter how much the world may accuse you,
my heart can never be misled"
THANK heaven! You at least do not
doubt me. The day shall surely come
when my innocence will be clearly estab-
lished"
Then he narrated-but did not men
ton his love for Beatrice and MarSden's
severe refusal, with which his parents
were well acquainted--the little comedy
he and Beatrice had enacted
You did not act very prudently, my
SON. remarked the father with a smile
With man like Marsden, besides be-
ing your superior, you should not have
dared such risk"
Il fully understand it.; but alas. it is
too late now. Marsden was informed in
some way, and in order to take rey enge,
he contrived this cowardly trick by in
closing a twenty dollar note in Bcatrice's
letter, and after l had secured it-be-
lieving only to find her answer-he ac-
cused me Of theft to my uncle. He
must have written down the number of
the note and gave it to your brother for
Identification. l will never forget the
contemptuous look which my uncle cast
upon me as he compared the two num-
bers. On account Of their respect for
you, Marsden and my uncle were salts
fed with discharging me, without any
further examination. l am compelled to
meet my fate silently. Triumphantly
Marsden waves his sword above me, but
the coward shall yet tremble. And Bea-
trice? Alas! mother, how much 1 will
suffer by seeing her in that mans house
without protection, for l am forced to
60
"Then you will leave us!' interrupted
the general deeply.
Eyes; cannot remain here any longer
but tell me, father, was l wrong in
withholding our little secret from my un-
cle?"
Certainly not, my son. A young
lady's> good name should never become
complicated with such affairs. However,
if time should demand an explanation,
! will speak to Miss Albenson and with
her permission l will inform my brother.
For The present we will have to wait pa
ticntly. But where do you intend to
go?"
First l must see Beatrice, and then
will try to commence a new life at an
other place"
"If she will only remain faithful, Vic
tor" said his father.
do you doubt it?" asked Victor, anx-
iously.
mo; Beatrice Is as pure as an angel;
she will never forsake YOU treasured
Gen. Raymond.
CTo be contnued)