Year: 1869

inquired.


That oh, he is a wealthy young
Englishmau; by the way, a lord, too,
but at present incognito. He is known
las Mr.. H, l don't miEd telling you
confidently, but he will shortly become
my son-in-law.'


IndeedP


'Ohl yes, a charming fellow. Would
you like to know himP


well, yes, after bit; but it is some
what unpleasant, Mr.. K, to break
up well established confidence and ex-
pose those whom we admire. Still it
is my duty to tell you the mans a
thief


If thunderbolt had fallen at his
feet, he could not have been more as
tonished.


what sirP he gssped, ,amszemeut and
indignation struggling for mastery in
his face.


1T is, I tell your


You must be mistaken, or mad.'.


Call the man into private room and
l will prove it


He could not object to this, and Mr..
H was politely requested to follow
his expectant father-in-law to the libra
ry. Thither 1 had already preceded
them. Mr.. H came in chatty and
pleasant, but little put back in MOTTO
ing stranger present


This gentleman wishes to speak with
you, said my host, motioning to where
l stood, but not deeming it necessary
to mention the fictitious name had as
sumed for the evening.


Yes L replied, Mr. H, 1 de-
sired to compliment you on the skillful
way you have of appropriating other
peoples jewelry.'


He stood under the blaze of the
chandelier as l spoke, and the light
shone fair and full in his face. At the
words livid hue crept into his cheeks
and a ghastly pallor succeeded it. His
teeth chartered as he tried to speak,
and his knees smote under him.
1T is useless to attempt to deny II,
said. 4 am a detective officer, and
have watched your proceedings all the
evening Look here! and before he
had time to prevent me, l had drawn
from his pocket the jewelry which a
short time before had been worn by the
guests of my host.


what do you say to thisP 1 asked,
turning to Mr. K.


MY God, is it truep And the strong
man shook as the truth of the accusa-
ton burst upon him. But my daugh-
ter, my child, what am to dOl'


The william saw at once the advantage
this relation gave him, and grew iuso-
lent on the instant l told him, how
ever, that this would stand him in no
service. If he restored the property he
had taken, l would let him 90. If not,
l should lock him up. He was cunning
and shrewd, and accepted the PROPOSE
ton. The next day the jewels were
returned to their owners, with polite
apology from Mr.. H., and the evening
steamer saw him on his way to more
congenisl crimes.


But the romance did not end here.
1t was not great while before the
family of the merchant were plunged
into great affection by the strange eva
sion of their daughter.


The exposure of her lover had over
whelmed her with grief 1t was sup,
posed, however, that this would be
transient. A young and virtuous girl,
educated and refined, could not long
cling to one whose baseness was so OBJ
vious. She would soon laugh at her
infatuation, and be glad of her escape,
her friends thought, and left her in
peace. Indeed, many supposed that
she was influenced now more by NOR.
titled vanity and senae of her humilat-
ing affection than aught else. What
was their surprise, then, at her eva
sion.


For several days nothing was said
about it and her family thought her
still in the city. But her protracted
absence finally excited alarm. l was
at length appealed to. Iconcluded at
once she had gone to join her lover
This opinion was still further confirm Cd
when It was ascertained that she had
carried with her a large sum of money.


You had better let her CO. 1 said to
her father.


q cannot; she is my only child
She must be traced and brought back ?


But this cannot be done unless you
consent to make an affidavit against her
for the larceny of the money. No one
can compel her to come back unless
you do


He consented to this step with a
good deal of reluctance; and with the
necessary papers for her arrest, l start.
ed in pursuit. 1t is unnecessary to
trace all my wanderings. Suffice it to
say, found them at last-married.


Only few months had passed since
this spoiled and petted child of fortune
had reigned a belle in her native city.
When l saw her, the innocence and
freshness of her young girlhood were
yet around her; no care had lined the
pure white forehead, and no trace of
distress had fevered her cheeks; her
eyes were bright with laughing visions
Of the future, and her parents love-like
sunshine fell around her. Now, all
was changed. In that brief time she
had passed under the wand of the en-
chanter. Innocence had been trans
muted into guilt, and blackness and
clouds had settled on a life where once
the radiant sunshine played.


1 had seen her husband the day be-
fore in a fashionable hotel. l took
pains that he should not recognize me,
and followed him home. The next
morning l waited until he left the
house aud went in.


The lady was sick, the servant said
to my inquiries, and 1 could not see
her. 1 thought perhaps, it might be
simply a desire to avoid an interview
with stranger, and insisted upon be-
ing shown into the presence of her mis-
tress, as my business was of import
ance. While 1 was yet talking with |
the girl, a door opened from an adjoin-
ing apartment, and the fugitive stood |
before me. Tall and queenly still, the
elegant figure could not be disguised
in the coarse robes that clung to her
person. Her face was haggard with
n.r;nf nnI hn, lnnnr nnkarnnt hair fell