The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-19


of eight hundred pounds in the cash
account, and it was well covered up,
too; false entries and false additions,
and what not; but they could not de-
ceive old Abel. wonder how long
this thing has been going on 70
And then, as if something whispered
to him, there came the thought of Wal
ter Sterne's comfortable account, so
very large for young man With his
salary and expenses. s.
al hope mott hope not" said Abel.
ri wonder what Belle thinks of him
Anyhow l must warn her."
And SO, after dinner that evening,
Abel called his daughter fnto the lib
rary, and unfolded his terrible budget
of news. So absorbed was he, that he
hardly noticed Bellies sudden change
of color when he dimly limited his sus-
picions.
"But, papa, are You certain ? May
you not be mistaken ?"
"No, not about the deficit"
"But who could have taken the
money!"
"Any two of them could, if they
worked together, OF, may be, one of
them could have done it alone. They
have chances, every now and then, but
Walter has the most"
Belle could say little more, but the
whole thing seemed impossible.
"Walter will be back tonight" said
the old gentleman, "and | viii say
nothing about it, till he has had a look
at the books.n
ooh, dear!" said Belle. "It's too
bad, anyhow"
The next day, Abel Leonard sent
down word that he was i'll, and did not
make his appearance on that or the
day following, SO that the three young
men had it all their own way. The
second evening Walter Sterne came up
to the house to make one of his fire.
qucnt calls. He was received as usual,
made good report of the business,
but he seemed to have something heavy
ON his mind. What it was he did not
mention in his brief interview with his
employer; nor did the latter, muffied
up in somewhat theatrical flannels,
make any illusion to his own porten-
tous discovery. After the talk with
the old gentleman, there followed a
very interesting call in tie parlor, and
never before had Belle Leonard SEEM
ed so subdued in her manner or so
sweetly engaging. To such an extent
did her manner and the half-pleading
expression of her face work upon the
already pretty well formed determine
ton of her young friend, that the Sc
cret, which for long time had been
only half a secret, forced its way to his
lips in rush of earnest and eloquent
avowas. Belle bowed her face upon
her hands for moment, and then
raised it, pale as marble, but as firm.
'Mr. Sterne will give time for con-
sideration. If he will call again to-
morrow evening I will give him his
answer"
Walters fellow clerk was destined to
receive a very similar reply to a very
similar question, only that Evan was
put off somewhat indefinitely.
Still later that same evening, two
very fine Soung men were walking
down Regent street arm in arm, when
one said to the other, "Evan, CAM
go to the old gentleman for more mon.
ey just now-have you any to- spare9'
| "Not a penny. You know how un.
lucky wo've been Of late"
"Can't you raise some9 2"
"Don't think can. You know Tvt
done a good deal for. you already,
said Evan.
]; eyes; bnt that will be all righ
when you ystrry Belle"
!; eyes; yen must help me, .then," re
piled Eva't.
"Wby don't you propose 2"
81 did that very thing this evening"
!, seYou don't say so! What luck 2"
;. "Good, | should think only sh'
, has put me off for week." added
Evan.
ssOh, hats nothing. You couldn't
{ have c. pected an answer off-hand.'
ssNot from SO proud girl as Bell
Leonard. Still, you can help me-"
III will. Don't be afraid; I'm no
anxious for Walter Sterne as a brother
4 in-law | assure you."
"IIa ha! don't worry yourself abou
that
f An6 SO they separated; but tn
next orning, no sooner did Eval
/, Jones each the warehouse, than Wal
ter q ed him aside for private con
!. sulta on. Whatever was it's nature
even he countenanee of Walter Stern
was lnable to conceal an expression
astc ishment and CONSERVATION.
g ut why did you not tell me q