Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-08-26

| "Not unless You cross mine first,
never fear. Well, it's all right, sir
There is your receipt, that I've carried
in my pocket these three weeks. I'm
glad to give it to You at last.
Masbn moved toward the door with
a sneering laugh, and Mark, excited be-
yond control, advanced toward him
with uplifted hand, silent threat that
was not lost on its object, who quickly
vanished.
1t was not quite time to 60 10 the
bank, and Mark spent the interval in
walking up and down his room. AT
length he threw himself into q chair
and bent bus head upon bis hands.
Directly he looked up, with a brighter
glance in his eyes, a firlner expression
on his face.
81 will do It'll" he exclaimed. cir
resolution has been my bane through
life; but for that I should never have
fallen thus low. Oh, Jennie, my be-
loved. heaven grant that you care not
for me as had hoped and believed I
/ would fam that this sorrow should
fall upon me alone, who have deserved
it all"
He walked rapidly to the bank, and
entering Mr.. Morton's private office.
found that gentleman seated ct his
desk. Pressing his hand over his fast
throbbing heart, Mark advanced and
stood in silence until his employer
looked up.
"Why, Mark, you look I'LL" he ex-
claimed. "What is the matter7 Sit
down, sit down."
a am i'll sir, said the young man
slowly-''ill in mind. I have COM
mitted great sin, and have come to
you to confess it.
And then, in brief, clear words, he
told it all-Iis first false step and its
consequences, his temptation and his
fall
Mr.. Morton listened in silence. He
was kind-hearted, upright man; and
while his sense of honor was shocked
at the story of Marks wrong~doing, his
heart recognized the inherent noble-
ness in the young mans character
which had led him to confess his crime
He longed to speak to him words Of
comfort but nevertheless he deemed it
best that he should wait yet while
longer, in order that the rem entrance
of those dark hours of sorrow and
humiliation might never fade away.
"Mark," he said, 81 need not say
how shocked and grieved l am you
know all that. You have slnned, but
you have proved your repentance, for
you know as we'll as / that in all
probability should never have dis
covered the absence of the money
For thus reason 1 shall retain you in
your position here. trust you, still
you see. But, Mark, tell me on your
sacred honor and conscience, do you
think would do right to confde the
happiness of my child to one who has
sinned as you have' Are you worthy
Of her!
He waited for an answer, and it
came in low, gasping tones
mo, sir; 1 am all unworthy. You
would do wrong to give her to me
now. l will not seek het-you may
trust mo for that Tell her-yes, tell
her what l have done, and then she
will cease to love me, and not suffer as
I shall Would that l might die !;
but must live to work out my atone.
ment"
s'Be Il so, Mark, said Mr.. Morton
and then he hastily went out from the
Office that the young mani might not
see the tears in his eyes. But Mark
could not have seen them had he
stayed, because of the scalding drops
which blinded his own sight.
Time passed on. Two months had
gone by, and Mark, wiser and hobler
man, was steadily working out his
atonement. Not once had he looked
on her who had 80 nearly been his
bride, nor had her name once been
mentioned between him aud her
father.
The bank closed a. three o'clock its
officers and clerks having generally all
departed By four; and then from this
latter period till five oclock-the hour
of the night watchman's arrival-the
building was entirely deserted. Mark
had some extra work to do, and not
having completed it when his friends
left the bank, remained in Mr.. Morton's
Office for that purpose.
His pen ran over tho paper before
him, but suddenly lie laid is down, and
bent his head as If to listen. His
quick ear had caught the sound of
stealthy footsteps in the passage Lead
ing to the Office in which he sat A
moments attention The steps paused
at the door, and a mans voice
said-
"Come, hurry along, Bill; this jobs
got to be done quick. The watchman1l
be here before long, and we'll find our