Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-04-26
A CASUIST

Ernest Marsden's withdrawal from
London have never been properly
explained. BY day he was employed
at an office in Cornhill. 1t was there
that / made his acquaintance. Our
duties brought US good deal to-
gether, and a considerable intimacy
sprang up between us.
Things we're in this condition
when / called one night at my en-
ployer's private house on business
matter that had been overlooked. l
was shown into the drawing room.
From an adjoining apartment l
could hear at intervals the voices OF
two men in violent alteration.
| After a time Mr.. Henderson appear
ed in the drawing room and asked
me to accompany him into the other
room. Ernest Marsden, the only
occupant, received me with a CRATE
full smile
81 have asked you to take part in
this conversation" said my employ
er, because / believe you to be a
friend Of Mr.. Marsden's. / have
been robbed, and your friend is the
only possible culprit. At half past
10 today an amount of ECO was paid
to me personally in gold and notes
Before going out | locked it up in
the safe in my private room, safe
to which you and Mr.. Marsden have
the only other keys. Mr.. Marsden,
whom / left at work in my room,
went out about ten minutes later.
l am assured by the clerks in the
outer office that no one else entered
the room during my absence. re-
turned in half an hour. The safe
was locked, but when l opened it !
found that the gold GAO had dis
appeared. I have told Mr.. Mars
den that if he will make a clean
breast Of everything and restore the
money he may retire from my en-
ployment quietly without scandal"
This statement upset me good
deal. I hoped, of course, that my
friend could clear himself OF the ac-
cusation. My own position in the
matter was none too pleasant. Al
though 1 had had leave of absence
l.
for the day, / had been obliged to
come back for my purse, which, by
a strange oversight, l had left in the
pocket Of my Office jacket. Unfor'
tunately had returned to the OF.
fec about 1890 o'clock. Finding
the door Of Mr.. Henderson's sane
tum unlocked-the door, mean
opening directly into the passage
1 had slipped in and out without ap
parently those in the outer Office
having noticed my return. Mars
den, however, had met me upon the
stairs. To make things more ugly
| I had that very day come into tint
possession of sum of money under
circumstances that could not have
been made public. To my great re
lief. Marsden made no reference t.
our meeting, although aware; M
doubt, of the effect it would have IL
diverting suspicion from himself.
The scene that followed was
very painful one. Marsden insisted
upon his innocence, and bite
speeches passed on both sides. !.
fancied at one time during lull il
the storm that l caught the soun'
of some one weeping in the mex
room. The conference broke up
having come to no conclusion. MI
Henderson, whom contradiction al
ways dashed into a fury followe'
Marsden into the hall, threatening
him with exposure and imprison
ment. Suddenly the drawing room
door burst open, and tall, prou.
looking girl swept into the hall.
will not attempt to repeat verbatim
what she said. Some Of it has es
capped me, and the rest, without he
dark eyes and impassioned bearing
seems ordinary enough.
Marsden had proposed to her
wear previously and had been refua
ed. His consistency in the face o
every encouragement had touche
her deeply, and lately she had com
to realize that her feelings towar
him were completely changed. I'm
der ordinary circumstances sh
would have waited for him to ad
dress her again. OF his continus
devotion he had given her many elc
ouent, if silent, demonstrations, an
now that his fortunes were at thei
lowest she asked as favor to be a.
lowed to stand by his side and t
fight his battles against all tn
world. At the end of this speech
which was delivered with an incor
ceiyable elevation Of manner, tn
girl would have flung herself upo
her lovers breast, but he repulse
her with a strange gesture. Don
touch me, Lucyp' he cried passion
ately. 81 stole itP
Two hours later / went around {
Marsden's lodgings, for in spite
his confession felt sure that m
friend was not guilty Of this bias
thing. 1found him busily engage
putting his belongings together,
az am glad you have come" }
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