The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-08-22

~" SA'' A]OoN' DCC tnCIu! i nave mGuc
quite a collection for you to choose
FROM"
She turned her head and gazcd in an
lnocscrlDaDic way upon heap of rich
garments which lay upon the floor.
felt a singular compassion for nv
customer, and indulged myself IN some
little speculation upon the probable
causes Of her misfortunes.
Perhaps l displayed this interest in
my lace in some way. At any rate she
suddenly altered her manner toward me
! and treated me as a contdant.
81 have a brother" she whispered
"Who has done wrong. He likes pleasure
and he has made us much trouble, but
yet we love him. He is the under. treas
urcr OF the Trust and Deposit Company
OF b. You know of it, for | learned
that you have a safe in their vaults
Well the President came here yesterday
and saw him. He told nc that it had
bccn discovered that Allan had convert
cd 1913, 900 to his own use, and that, as a
regular examination of the books and
funds of the institution was to bc made
tomorrow afternoon, it would he ncccs-
sary that the money be returned at once
it the disgrace which would accompany
o>l'"''uAN wac W ~ dFOllCN. 1lC Silitl
that he had known my father from child
hood, and that he felt it incumbent upon
| him to save him from such flood of
shame as would pour upon him should
the disclosure he made. Hc had white
hair, and he wcpt, and he kissed me when
he went away"
/, whose duty it is to know everything,
knew that the President of the Trust
Company was a man of iron probity-onc
who would cut his best friend to the
heart to punish an cvil-docr.
Are you positive that it was the Pres
idcnt?" asked
EYES," she replied, naivcly-" yes,
for remember that he told me that he
was"
And did he come in the daytime?"
"No; he came in the evening. and he
wore long coat and wide trimmed cloth
hat; he had white hair and IL broad fore
head"
"And you must provide $4,000 to
save your brother? That is Il very great
sum-"
"Ics, know it; but my brother is very
dear"
Her gentle face became convulscd with
a spasm of grief.
After it is paid, what thcn?".
"Thcn Allan will be secretly informed
that his Wickedncss has been detected,
and he will then be permitted to leave
the country. The matter can then be
hushcd-that is, if it IS managed wcll.u
But flS,000 that is fortune"
\ Ycs; but you forget that am fortu-
nate" She made a gesture Indicating
her rich surroundings, and she smiled
for an instant.
Can you get it in money!"
mo; but | can convert some stocks
and some bonds that l have and I can
draw 5000 from each of my two bank
accounts"
" What! you, yourself-can you do it
without the aid of an attorney or
lawycr?"
Yes: l am independent, and I am
of age"
"That is very lucky. am to under
stand, then, that you have already Sc
cured part of the amount?"
Yes; I want only $4,000 more"
l turned and looked at the dresses.
The young lady at once drew me toward
them, talking rapidly meanwhile of their
beauty and richness. She seized upon
the uppcrmost garment. 1t was an
opcra-cloak, or, rather, long pclissc of
a very heavy white fabric, heavily en-
brodercd and fringcd. It's original cost
must have been in the neighborhood of
$780,
She nervously passed her fair hands
over it's thick folds and begged ME to
tell her what would allow her for it. I
told her $3.50. She WAS evidently pleased
at the largcncSs of the sum and she hast
ily putt down upon an ivory tablet and
threw the cloak one side. She then took
up white ball-drcss and praised that,
pointing at the length of it's train and
the tincncss of it's finish. I offered her a
good sum for that also.
She then proceeded with great randi
ty, forgetting all her sorrow for the mo-
mcnt in the pleasures of bargaining.
Some of the dresses brought $50 and
some four times that sum- All of them
were of the best material and bore the
traces of superior workmanship.
When the pile was finally separated
into the sold and unstable there yet re-
maincd,.$600 to be gained from some
quarter.
II have already sold or pawncd my
jcwclry," said the poor girl, with faltcr-
ing voice, "and have nothing left but a
diamond cross. must not sell that, but
l can pledge it,
"Permit me to see it," I replied.
She produced it.
1t was very handsome The stones
were of good size and were we'll set.
~ will loan you the necessary sum for
this as security" said.
"Ah, madam" she cried, in trcm-
bling voice, how kind you are to me! I
was afraid of you. thought this would
be one of the hardest moments Of nv
life, but you have been 50 frank and SO
generous that | feel ashamed that ever
dreamed that was undertaking a sacri-
ticc Allan is safe. My father will be
left in peace. Madam, may I kiss you?"
She threw her arms about my neck and
pressed her soft lips several times to
mine, and the tears upon her checks left
moisture upon my face which seems to
be there even now.
l produced my wallet, and, conscious
that my beautiful girl was blushing red,
| counted out upon the little table the
exact amount that she required.
"When and where are you to deliver
this money!" inquired.
:" At noon tomorrow in one of the
parlors Of the Albion" "a private hotcD.
''To the Presidents"
ayes, to the President"
"And he, then, is to assure you that
proceedings against yorr brother will
not be taken, and to warn you that his
immediate fight to Canada will be nee
essary?"
"Yes, madam"
And have you any property left9"
"Very little-really very little that is,
none that I can convert"
"You have given, then, all that it is
possible for you to give?'