The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-10-24
CHAPTER TX.

| ueauy III the euueaVOr TO recall now II
was that had entered the room, and
without undressing, chosen the couch
instead of the bed.
''Have been sleeping long?" asked
II do not know, my DEAR" replied my
wife. "The opiate you gave me last
night had such an effect upon me that
I coulC scarcely have stirred until
opened my eyes half an hour ago"
Then you have no recollection OF
my having come in, or at what timer
mot the slightest, Richard"
''Nor have l." said I, pondering.
! when / saw you sleeping on the
| COUCH" said my wife, tenderly, my
idea was that you would not come to
bed for fear Of disturbing me-"
THAT may have been my motive for
sleeping here said, still in wonder
"but it is strange that it should have
| gone clean out of my mind"
1T has occurred before, Richard"
"True; but this is new phase OF
| my wretched sleep-Walking."
ut is easily accounted for, love. Your
mind has been unusually disturbed.
Do not let it distress you"
"And you have had good nightT
"a wonderful night; feel quite re-
freshed; and were it not for what is
before me, / should feel perfectly
happy"
Now, it is singular fact that my
ms1nd was also blank as to the danger
which threatened us. I had no recol-
lection, not only of what had passed
between me and my uncle on the pre-
vious day, but even of his being in the
house.
"Of what is before your said.
"What do you meanY,
"Surely you have not forgotten the
task / have set myself with your uncle2
/ shall succeed, love-I shall succeed!
The first sound heard this morning
was the singing of the birds. That is
nearly always so; but this morning
their sweet notes had a peculiarly joy
! full significance. Hope, hope, hopev
they sang. All will be well. Eunice
will be happy. Your home is saved.
The cloud has passed away MY heart
sang the words, in unison, and have
given thanks to the Giver of all good. ;"
Even these tender words did not
mitigate the terrible oppression which
weighed me down. She failed to con-
vince me that, within a few short
hours, we should not be thrown upon
the world, without a home.
"Mammaw 1t was Eunice's voice,
outside.
"Come in, dear childw called my
wife. "She is happy and hopeful,
Richard. have been talking to her
quite wisely"
IF love be WISDOM" / thought, as
Eunice entered the room, ut would
.ount for much. But love must work
miracle in stony heart before hap
piness can be restored to me and
nine"
kiss the clouds away from your
fathers face, my child" said my wife,
and make him smile again"
"Let be, let be-" said, receiving
ana returning Eunice's caress with
eoldness.
Don't be disheartened, darling" said
my wife, drawing Eunice to her.
'sYour father lie not himself this morn
ing"
There is nothing new, mammaT
asked Eunice, anxiously.
mo, dear child" replied my wife.
"Rely upon me-"
81 will, mamma, will" murmured
Eunice, her face upon her mothers
breast.
1--WE will go down now, Richard"
said my wife; you win join us pres
ently?"
Eyes, presently" replied.
They left the room together, taking
some loose roses with them, and /
proceeded to make my toilet. 1t was
soon completed, and I took my watch
from my pocket to ascertain the time.
AS put it back my fingers encountered
ring. took it out and gazed at it
In dumb establishment; it was the dia-
mond ring my uncle had placed upon
his finger on the first, night of his ar
rival. BY what strange means had it
come unconsciously into my possess
sion2
shook my head angrily and impa-
tientiy and tried to think. MY uncle
had not given me the ring, and | could
scarcely have taken 1t without his
knowledge. But, with or without his
knowledge, must have taken it, for
It lay in my trembling hand. How did
1t come into my pocketl Was | a
thief2 It needed but a question like
this to make my despair complete.
Little did suspect what was vet to
be revealed to me and all of us. The
stone in the ring was, as have already
stated, not large, and could not. at the
utmost, have been worth more than
twenty pounds. That 1 should have
been guilty Of theft. and OF theft
SO paltry. shocked and overwhelmed
me.
What should do with the ring?
dared not show it to my wife; the
thoughts which it must Inevitably have
inspired in her gentle breast would,
| ais it were, nave revealed to her base
! depths In my nature OF which she
did not believe me capable. l had to
see my uncle on this morning. and
would take the opportunity Of slipping
I the ring somewhere in Ills room, or Of
dropping it upon the hoor. and thus
avoid suspicion. So resolving. I went
/ down to my wife and daughter witt
my guilty secret in my pocket, ready Il
/ my Nyht hand
| Mr. Mortlock was with them al
breakfast, and Mile Resale. ar Mort
lock gave me good mofning, ans Will