Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-09-02
THE NEW CASHIER.

"Well, my dear, what is this dread
full affair about poor Williams2"
"What AFFAIR."" repeated her spouse,
who, seated in most delightfully."- com
Portable chair, was solacing himself with
new review. "What affair I" he re-
peated, looking at her from under his
spectacles, in great astonishment.
"Why, you know as well as do, re-
turned the lady, pettishly; "what you
were talking to Mr.. Day about, this
afternoon"
The bank director gazed in still in
ereasing wonder.
. "When Maggie was on the steps,"
added his wife.
. "Oh !" said he, returning, with low
laugh, to his book, sit was nothing"
"Now you need not tell me so" an
swered his wife; sit was something,
aud insist upon knowing what"
Mrs. Lindsey's INSISTS" were by no
means terrifying. He replied, there
fore, quietly: my dear, it is impos-
sible for me to tell you; it was secret
confded to me-"
Then there is something, thought she,
triumphantly, although silent at the
last speech. Mrs. Lindsey walked about
the next day with the important air of
person who had made discovery,
She looked preternaturally wise and
fearfully solemn, even while washing
the breakfast cups, and expiring with
impatience for the arrival of the after
noon. She went over as soon after
dinner as it was decent, to pass it with
her friend and neighbor, Mrs. Vernon.
This lady had not been her friend and
neighbor for so many years without dis
covering the infallible signs and symp-
toms of secret; so sat determined not
to take the slightest hint, or betray the
least curiosity, being q very sure way,
she very well knew, of nipping the in
tended disclosure in the bud. She per-
mitted Mrs. Lindsey to run on till she
had exhausted herself, in such like
truisms "How distressing it is to be
deceived in any one you have respected
and liked )" Well, truth is stranger
than fiction ;" "What world we live
in )" Certainly one learns new things
every day )" 81 never was more sur
prised in my life than was yesterday. !"
This looked like coming to the point, SO
Mrs. Vernon raised her eyes and began
to appear interested. "But, said Mrs.
Lindsey, drawing back her head Gas she
perceived the movement) with no little
dignity, "one must keep some things
to ones self" Mrs. Vernon looked
down on her knitting, and began talking
of indifferent matters. Nothing could
be more becoming. Pigued at her
affectt lack of curiosity, Mrs. Lindsey,
in q sort of spite, made the disclosure.
can never look at him again with
out horror and disgust" exclaimed
Mrs. Vernon, after a moment of breath
less astonishment. "Who could believe
it9 Such an agreeable, handsome young
man, but Satan knows well enough where
to choose his servants.
&c l really thought it was my duty to
tell you," continued Mrs. Lindsey,
gratifed beyond measure at the effect
she had produced, "for he has been
so very polite, you know, to your daugh,
ter Gertrude, and now, of course -
"Of course, interrupted her friend
she shall have nothing more to say to
him."
81 would not cut him dead, my
dear" exclaimed Mrs. Lindsey, in some
alarm, &C for nothing more of this is tc
come out, you understand. Ny hus
band, DR.. Day, and all of them, it ap.
pears, have determined to conceal it, and
as the young man has behaved very vel
since his arrival here, we must on nc
account rake up this old matter"
ooh certainly; 1 shall say nothing
you may depend upon it, answered hel
companion, except to warn Gertrude
and insist upon her discouraging his
attentions and treating him with great
coolness. What can he have done 2
she exclaimed, after o moments pause
"That is more than 1 can tell" an.
swered Mrs. Lindsey. The words
certainly give ones imagination free
scope. l have thought of everything
and really could not sleep last night foI
distress and fear. L imagined hin
gliding into the bank with false key
and shaded lantern, and perhaps setting
fire to it afterward for the purpose o
concealing his depredations; which, o.
we live SO near, you know, would b,
anything but pleasant. Sometimes
think there were defalcations in th,
accounts, and he threatened to kill Mr.
Bennett, who perhaps discovered it, i
he betrayed him. Then again, do no
know but he has killed somebody"
Mrs. Vernon's face reflected ever,
variety of horror"
"There he is" sho almost sbrieked
looking out of the window; "he is com
ing here"
Both ladies rose hurriedly, the frs
impulse being to run and lock the door
but as Mr.. Williams did not display an
belligerent intention, but walked with
very quiet and composed air up th
steps and rang, Mrs. Vernon contente
herself with ordering the servant 10 an
that " Niles Gertrude wss sngaged."