Year: 1877

hand. Annie-young though she was
had many suitors; some attracted by her
beauty, but more by her position as an
heiress. Among these-as we already
know-was Mr.. Prendgast, who ranked
second only to Mr. Rivers in wealth in
the place, and who had run into gray
headed old bachelorhood before he
thought himself rich enough to enjoy
the luxury of e wife.


Charles Albro was the only son of a
most respectable widow, who, with but
small income, had supported him
through his youth, and so educated him
that he was capable of filing almost any
situation with credit which he could
reach at his age. His manner was easy
and graceful, and his address winning
For two years previous to the date of
this story, he had held q position in the
post Office of his native town, and had
been promoted therein only few days
before.


There was large gathering at the
house of Mr.. Rivers on Christmas even
ing, for he was not nIggaruly in his hos
pitality. And as they gathered in many
wondered why the lovely Annie was not
there as usual the first to welcome her
fathers visitors. But all that the anxious
father could tell them was that he ex-
pected her in every moment-all that he
knew about her, that which a servant
told him-'sshe had gone out early in
the afternoon to make CALL" and had
not yet returned.


The hours sped on. and his anxiety in
creased to fear. What had become of
her? Had she been decoyed away, and
murdered, OF doomed to fate more
horrible yet? The excitement of his
guests was almest as great as his own !;
but when the clock struck nine man
presented himself at the door Of Mr..
Rivers house and asking an interview
with him, handed a note which account
ed for her absence. It was jointly from
herself and Charles, stating the object
of their elopement, but giving no clue
to their destination however, assuring
him that as soon as the knot was tied he
should hear from them, and when assur-
ed Of his forgiveness, they would return
to him.


"Why was this note delayed it is
dated six hours ago - shouted Mr.. Riv-
ers.


81 was paid to deliver it at O'Clock,
and not minute beforel" said the man,
sententiously, as he turned and left the
house.


GA thousand curses on the ungrateful
girl - cried Mr.. Rivers, as he communi-
Gated the facts to his friends. @sFergiye
her I'll see her rot first He-the
beggarly upstart-asked me for her and
I refused him, and now he has stolen
her ~


"Bad Endorsement! My cake is all
dough-" muttered Prendegast, as he put
on his yellow kids, and babe his friends
goodnight.


Other friends, particularly several
young men who had been on Annie's
track, sympathized with him, and left J;
and soon he was left alone in his wrath.
Left alone to fume and to fret, to curse
and to writhe; for he was not one of that
sort to take ''the ills the gods sent, and
be thankful that they were no worse.


At that same hour the postmaster Of
the place was closeted with the great
United States secret postofice detective
in his line the Fouche of America, and
terror to all delinGuents who dare to
lay their unwashed fingers on Uncle
Sans mails, or the contents thereof.


Recent heavy robberies had been trac-
ed to that Office, and now they were, in
the night, when all the clerks were away
engaged in comparing notes and looking
for evidence whereby they might find
out the guilty one. And though he would
be the last one of all whom Mr.. Bas-
comb, the P. NJ, would have suspected,
yet in the private desk of Charles Albro,
the lock of which they picked, was found
such proofs as left no doubt of his guilt.
Envelopes of letters which had been de-
scribed to the agent as containing mon
ey drafts which, without Endorsement,
he dared not try to get cashed for
Charles had not got quite SO bold in
crime as to add forgery to his other
faults.


This came crushingly upon Mr.. Bas-
comb, for he had not only been Charles
warmest friend, but he knew his amiable
mother we'll; had known his father in
life, and he knew how fearfully this blow
would come On her.


"Where is this young man ?" asked
the detective, who, in the stern discharge
of his duty, knows no sympathy with
the criminal ; nor were he fit for his Of
fee if he did.


81 do not know" replied the post
master. ''He applied yesterday for q
few days leave of absence but he was
in town to day. L saw him this morn
ing"


''His arrest must be effected as quick
ly as possible, and then perhaps we can
recover some of the money he has taken.
The hope of escape often makes my
most hardened case disgoree; whereas,
if act roughly they keep all to fee law
yers and bribe juries with"