"The girl shall be mine," he said, "and the Senator's money will chip in nicely to keep me afloat. But if he only knew I wanted his cash, even more than his pretty daughter, he would shut down on me. Chicken-hearted as a child, I am afraid he will repent, and try to undo the little game. I always took him for a man of pluck; but we will arrange this business, though. My eyes! how he will shake in his boots when Sargent and I get through with our part of this affair--and won't all Cleverdale be excited? Whew! There'll be a first-class rumpus!" The following day Mrs. Hamblin and Belle arrived at the Hamblin mansion; the husband and father was not there to receive them. Relieving themselves of wraps, etc., they took their supper. Belle with great impatience momentarily expected the arrival of George Alden. Eight, half-past eight, nine o'clock came, still the young husband failed to appear. "It is strange, mamma," said she. "I wrote him I would be here this evening. Can he be sick? I will send Jane to his house--possibly he is there." Seating herself, she hastily wrote: "DEAR GEORGE: "I am home. Come at once. "BELLE." Summoning Jane, instructions concerning the note were given; in twenty minutes the faithful nurse returned and exclaimed: "The house is dark, and no person there." "No one there!" said Belle, in a trembling voice. "It is singular enough. He came home three days since. Where is Papa?--he can tell us whether George has been at the bank. There must be something wrong." "Be calm, my child," said her mother; "he will come soon--there is some good reason for his absence. Perhaps he is at the bank with your father." "True; I never thought of that. It is getting late, and we had better send James to the bank and ascertain. I must know his whereabouts before I can sleep." She immediately rang the bell, and Jane appeared. "Tell James to go to the bank, and see if Papa is there. Also tell him to inquire if Mr. Alden is there. If Papa is alone, ask him if he will please come home at once." Half an hour later, James returned with the information that Mr. Hamblin was alone at his office, and would be up soon. Belle was much agitated; her mother tried to quiet her, but without success. Shortly after, Senator Hamblin entered the house; Belle ran to meet him, but by his manner she was conscious that something terrible had happened. After embracing his wife and daughter, the latter asked: "Papa, where--is--is--George?" Slow to answer, his hesitation only added to her agitation, for she continued: "Oh, speak! What has happened?" "My daughter, he is unworthy of you, he has proven himself a villain." "Proven himself a villain! why, what do you mean? Answer me!" Her face became deathly pale, and she tottered as if about to fall.