The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1870-09-17


the money market had been worse than
useless.
The prospect before him was not a
cheering one. It is rather hard to begin
life over again ut thirty, especially when
one has reached that age after years of
poverty, toll and self-exertion. In his
younger days, Harry Tyndall had
known want in its cruelest, most savage
had battled its grim legions,
and risen to independence; and now, at
the threshold of higher life, he was
hurled back with just glimpse of the
enchanted grounds within.
AS he sat confronting the heap of pa
pers on his desk, the office door opened,
and lady entered. Mechanically Har-
ry rose and placed chair; but as the
lady threw back her vail, he exclaimed,
in surprise, "Niiss Be-wickp'
''Pardon my intrusion, Mr.. Tyndall,"
said the most musical of voices. 81 have
been on the upper floor, looking for the
offices OF Graves and Waldron, and was
told that they were ON this floor. 1 wish
to give MIR. Waldron this package. May
1 ask you to deliver itY l will remain
here. OF all things I dislike to see MY
self in these dark passages hunting for
Offices"
Harry took her package with alacrity
was gone but moment, and on his
return found Miss Berwick standing by
the window, idly looking down the
street. She turned at his entrance,
thanked him with smile and bow.
and then took her bright presence out Of
the room; and Harry was left to his
meditations.
II may as well give it up. have not
friend who could help me in this
strait" he mutterred, after hal hours
deep thought. 81 will make an assign
ment, or go into bankruptcy, and then
depart for America, where toll is better
requited."
And as he spoke, he rose to his feet,
his eyes falling on the floor. He was
vaguely conscious of some dark Object
at his feet, stopped carelessly to lift it,
and saw it was a pocket-book--le
and rather the worse for wear, but very
nleihoric. He sat down sr---i'. .,-.-i--T,-----
cd II. TSI1ro wosS surio1s compalt.
ments, but all of them empty save one.
That contained ten one hundred pound
notes.
Just then the sum that would save
him from ruin. Ifit were his. he could
pay that bill falling duo, sell off his stock
and seek a situation until the panic were
pastl
He looked the rcclSet book over again.
There was no clue to the owner; yet he
felt convinced that it must, ofcourse, be-
| long to cil;c.ifa Berwick. She was the o.
Iy person who had been in his Office that
morning. 1t was terrible temptation
to Harry. Had his visiter been any 9TH
er than Clara Berwick, it is hard to say
whetl. er conscience or inclination would
have prevailed; as it was, conscience
won TIE dAy, and he started out after
Miss Berwick.
She was not to be found, however; and
Harry concluded she had gone home.-
fSo thither he bent his steps. Clara was
an heiress, and something Of belle too
She was not classically beautiful, bu
she was young and had good figure
clear complexion, frank gray eyes, anf
very abundant hair; all of which goot
points she mado the most of, as every
daughter of Eve is bound to do. Sh'
came down in responce to Harry's dou
BILE knock, and looked quite surprised
though sho endeavored to conceal it.
When Harry showed her the pocket
book, she looked at it attentively, anC
laughed merry peal cflaughter.
"Why Mr.. Tyndall, she cried, "yo'
must think have poor taste to own
, such purse as that. See, that ia mr.
pock et- book" and she drew out dain
ty purple-velvet purse, to which was ap
pended gold chain.
"But no one has been TO my Office to
, day save you.'
"Indeedl The pocket-book is certain
ly not mine,' she responded, very earn
estly.
a "What shall do with it?" said Harry
in perplexity.
! "Why, keep it, of course" respone
Miss Berwick, with fright smile; an
she seated herself upon the sofa, an
: began to discourse of something else.
She and Harry had often met in socic
e ty; but he had never called upon her be
fore, and when he rose from his chair
=, 90 she said, "Really, Mr.. Tyndall,
c ought to lie grateful to the owner of ths
!, pocket book, since it gained me pleas
ure of call. May / hope that you wi
c repeat it sometime when you have n
stray articles to dispose Off"
Harry blushed, murmured somethin
: about the pleasure being on his side, an
hurried away.
80, dear" he said TO himself, ''she az
: tually believes that l trumped up tn;
story OF the pocket book for an excuse
call on her. Wealth privileges her 10
impertinent. But oh, if only dared I
/, use it'll And just the amount, tool BI
II must advertise it,"
harry lynuall uiu hot auNertlSe u
% lost pocket book, and when three day
|. later, his bill fell due, he paid it and WI
g free man.
q 1t is not necessary to recount the su
Ie cessive steps in temptation which fina
n ly led to the first dishonest act of hit
d erto spotless life. How the pocket boo
d came there be could not even guess.
IS But it was there; it just supplied h
ID needs, he appropriated it, and W,
a henceforth branded theft in his op
1t eyes.