Year: 1871

month. have not been idle during these
years, but have earnestly tried, though in
vain, to clear up the mystery of that rob-
berry. 1t was my fathers wish that if not
cleared up before that time, in that fifteen
years, the room in which that cabinet is
locked should be opened, and the cabinet
examined for further instructions. That
time has nearly arrived, and l desired Rolf
to be present on that occasion. Will you
now send for him and state the reason why
his presence is desired?"


81 will send for him." 1 replied, and
then I said, "have you not seen Rolf since
that evening ?'


"No, l have not"


wondered if during these years she had
kept in remembrance the answer she had
given him, 'I will wait" and whether she
had been waiting, hoping that her life of
happiness was yet to begin.


was in no amiable mood as | thought of
the reply my friend had given me regard
ing Rolf's marriage, for if his reply was cor
rect, her waiting had been in vain.


My letter to him was despatched the
next morning, to the address he had given
me, but when the nineteenth arrived no
message had been received in reply.


During the whole of that day Kate went
around, nervous and excited. Just before
dark, a message was received by me that
Rolf was at the hotel in the village, and
would be glad to see me.


told Miss Raleigh of the message, and
informed her of my intention of going to
him at once.


At her suggestion the opening of the
room and cabinet was delayed till the next
day, and was asked to request Rolf to
return with me.


found him waiting for me at the village.
He seemed perfectly calm, and as / con-
trasted his excited feelings on the occasion
of our last interview at the same place,
with the calmness shown now, could not
but think he had lost much of the inter
est he then had in the clearing up of his
good name. Had the Vanvort family any
thing to do with this state of feeling?


After a social chat, in which no reference
was made as to the cause of his visit, /
said: ....


"Miss Raleigh wishes the opening of the
room mentioned in my letter to you to take
place tomorrow morning, but / am request
ed TO invite you to return with me this
evening""


He declined the invitation, but said he
would be over early in the morning.


The next morning as Miss Kate and
were talking Rolls card was brought in.


"Send him in here" was her instruction
to the servant, and in few moments he
entered.


Their meeting was like the meeting of
two strangers, and Miss Raleigh at once
said


"We will now go and open the library,
and examine the cabinet" and she leading
the way, we at once went to the door, from
which removed the fastening, and mo-
toned Rolf to enter.


He bowed and said, "Miss Kate must &c
in alone, as said never would enter the
room again until all suspicion was taken
from my name"


She accordingly entered, and the door OF
the room closed after her. We shortly
heard the click of the cabinet lock, and
then the rustic of papers.


Five minutes passed, and my companion
began to grow nervous. Ten minutes
passed. and still she did not return. Roll
by this time could no longer restrain his
his feelings. He hastily paced the hall,
and wiped the cold sweat from his brow,
and as he saw that noticed his agitation,
said : a


1t has been long time TO bear the rep.
, utation of a thief, but think will lose II
now" Hh'uIH
AS he finished speaking, his cousin came
out, looking pale, and walking as one who
! had received terrible shock. She tried to
speak, but her tongue failed her, and hand
ing yellow dingy package of papers to
Rolf she passed over to her own room.
He took the package to the window, and
sat down to examine its contents. Very
soon heard the exclamation, "Thank
God ~ and as he looked up, could readily
see that his burden was removed. tsna
: He now said, "You are probably anxious
to know the contents of this paper. will
tell it in as few words as possible, though
to make you clearly understand it, must
tell You little about my uncle's chaIac-
ter" "n.i 3afi