The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-09-25


This then, was the person for whom the
note for five hundred pounds had been In.
tended, and who appeared In our books ns
having received Number 07,4S2. Tha, he
had never come in possession Of his due,
the obvious gin Of his father in.law, was
proved by the noto in my possession. The
mystery was not to be cleared up tina, night,
il was certain so determined to wait till
next day, and question old Graham.
II.
Oil Graham was clerk In the employ.
ment of Butler & Clark, a fellow. worker
Of mine, with whom we younger fellows
held little communion. He was shy, lit.
tie, broken.down, preina,urely old man,
whose retiring habits aud general timorous.
ness left nothing In common between him
and the rest, and who made few acquain.
tances. Tho younger men spoke Of old
Graham with Multiplying, half.con.emp.
tuous tone, as one whose why's Of life did
not consort with the ardent spirits who
enjoyed existence on eighty pounds year.
! believe ! understood the old man better
than any Of my colleagues. Wa were good
friends, for beneath that shy and shambllng
exterior no possessed kind heart, and he
had a treasure In his home, Of which tho
rollicking young bloods at Butler and
Ciark's never dreamt. alone could cs,i-
mate that treasure. ] alone was welcome
guest in the modest ground.foor at Ken
nington, and knew how much beauty and
gentle worth were represented in Kate Gn-
ham. My intimacy with her father had
taught me this, and the knowledge soon
brought warmer feeling. Seeing how
dear she was to him, ! had come TO hope
for a time when should supplant him In
her care and love. knew that I was wei.
como In the household (it consisted but OF
himself and hcr), and left the rest to time
and constancy. As matters stood, was
too poor to marry, until the discovery Of
the five hundred pound note wakened a
hope which I determined should only be
realized according to the dictates Of strict
honesty.
At nine o'clock on tho morning afler the
discovery, old Graham appeared at his desk,
punctual as Saint Paul's. entered into a
careless conversation, and at last broached
the subject Of the payment to Wylde.
"You have been in the Office long
time, Mr.. Graham" said "do you hap.
pen to remember man who used to como
about here named, if l remember right
wylde-WiIliam Wyldof"
He turned cadaverous color, aud lis
Fingers wandered aimlessly to his scuniy
gray hair.
"What what do you know about
Wyldc?" he said in his timid manner.
81? Oh, very little, know he Is an
actor, that's all. He used to get money
paid him on behalf Of one Of our clients,
did he not?" answered carelsssly.
ell dont know II is not my depart.
ment, don't pay money. lnever heard
of him." said Graham nervously.
"No, I suppose not. Perhaps Mr.. Muir.
don will know" I replied.
Mr.. Murdon was our cashier. The old
man grew more agitatod than before.
"You had better not ask him." he return.
ell hastily. "Mr. Murdon does not like to
bc troubled with such-wilh these aimlcss
questions. What business Is It Of yours 2"
"Oh, none merely asked. Then he
did &c, the money!" 1 pursued pointed
y.
ayes, yes Of course-at least l don't
know |; I never heard of him; it Is not my
department. Go to your desk
It was evident he did know, but would
not tell. Under his nervous shambling
manner that face was apparent. Equally
apparent was il that nothing could be got
Oh, Of him further than what he had I'M.
consci ously disclosed. bothered him no
more, but went on with my daily work, and
towards evening, when the Office was clos
ing, I approached him again. ,d ,T
"Ars you going strait home, Mr.. Ora.
ham? r. asked. lI1r .aEr ..y..,.. .
"Yes, George yes; I am going homo. I"
aIf you have no objection, ! will walk
that way with you" .'ae.s's -.s ..f.
"Certainly , IL shall bo glad. OF
course George. Come with me by all
means"
We walked towards old Gnhams = house
a. Remington, discousing on Indifferent
topics. Twas careful not to alarm him
with TOO has,y reference to tho subject Of
the morning, for ] knew his nature, and
how liable he was to take fright, and how
rc,iceu, hs could bc if sharply questioned.
Besides, ] did not care to offend him. Tho
regard Of his daughter was too valuable for
that. gl.-. r-.. .....5 :
She met us at the door, with kiss for
her father and q, warm smile for me. wha.
brightsyed, glad. hearted round li,le. di.
viniy abe WAS With such q ligh, in my
hons ! would not have envied old Butler
himself. with wife in May Fair of many
pounds sdvoirdupois, and three s,aisly
daughters who might have sat seniries st