The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-10-17

E tAtAH ~ A&AANs - hAAfA - FFhtF WV 1855
u long experience bad said that Lake
was too young 10 fll The important posi-
llea which be beld, bot Mr.. Brand bad
never found his trust 10 Tom misplaced.
Having beard fumors concerning a
boase with which be bad extensive deal
I ings, The merchant bad dispatched Lake
to London, telling him TO make inquiries
add 10 any case, to get the partners 10
the hrm 10 question 10 settle their ac-
count
50 Lake hsd gone from Liverpool to
I>ondon. The time appointed for his re.
turn passed, and still be did not come.
A Mdy entered aud stole TO the mer-
chants side; ber own sweet face was
anxious, and there was lremor 10 the
music OF her voice, a. shc said
Do you think be will be here to night,
dear pApAl
hops 30, Mary; bat II is very late.
| Il there no other trainf
Ouiy the night express, sud that does
not stop, except at the central stations.
Perhaps be will come, papa; be would
no. mind coming ten miles. even If he
hAd TO walk.
| lie should not have missed the trsin,
said Mr., Brand, sternly; punctuality is
an imperative duty with nea OF business.
Bat, papa, something may have occur
red TO detain him.
Nothing should detain 3 man who has
given his word.
| The fair plcader was silenced = her
father was angry, aud knowing his strict
ness OF principle, and how inveterate was
HE dislike to any breach OF discipline or
duty, she did not venture TO speak again.
The time dragged slowly on; Mr..
Brand continued his restless walk, and
Mary sat down, subdued and quiet,
Watching him. She saw that he was lis
tening as the night express went whirling
by, aud from the depths of her heart
there went prayer that Lake would
come safely home. The girl loved him,
would have staked her lie on his truth
and knew that be was not beyond bis
time through weakness or wrong. Two
slow, weary hours passed. Mr.. Brand was
reading the commercial news; but toI
| the first lime IN his life ii did not Interest
him; be was thinking OF the young clerk
and the heavy sum of money that would
/ be in his possession should the London
firm have paid him. And Mary, reading
her fathers countenance, felt chilled and
panied by the slUr cast on her lovers
honesty by bis suspicious her every
thought was denial TO his doubts, and
as rapid clatter OF horses feet rang
out, abe ran TO the window.
Look! she said, dashiDg the curtains
aside with eager hands; look, papa,
said he wonld COME knew be would
The merchants stern features relaxed
with q smile of pleasure; he was no
emotional or demonstrative, but BIZ
daughters gadness pleased him.
There were few moments OF expect
ancy and then Tom Lake came in. Hi
went straight to Mr.. Brand, only noticin!
with bow the lovely face whose glance
thrilled his soul.
They have paid, he said, quietly, as h'
placed thick pocket-book In the mer
chants hand, but think we were onl!
just in time.
Indeed
There was a consultation al the banker
before could get cash for the check.
do you think they will break2
Hopelessiy. They have given me a
: immense order, bot il would not be wis
to forward the goods.
You did not hiut that we bad ih
slightest iearS
No; but was glad TO get the money
twelve thousand pounds would have bee
heavy loss.
Aud yet, said Tom, gravely, This moi
ming the odds were considerably sgains
my ever reaching you.
: Howl
Tom took two chsirs, placed them sid
by side near the fire, led Mary TO one AN
seated himself in the other. He ha
done his duty as the merchants clerk
aud was now Mr.. Brands prosperity
son.in-lAw aud partner.
bad an adventure, he said; was th
hero Of a strange story in ride by e,
press.
Mary bent forward to listen --Tor
clasped her baud in bis own. Mr.. Bran
sal opposite them. interested by Ii
speakers theme, as he began:
When | got the check bad Au ide
that all might not be well, so TO max
D sure. | presented It at the banker
There was, as ! told you, a consultaiio
before they csshed IT, aud while the coI
sultalion was going forward, I noticed
stranger looking at me intentiy. | kne'
the mAn In my younger and wilder day
had met him often al the race course, !
billiard rooms, and 10 other places moi
4 or less respectable. Now be was chani
ing 9 check for some petty amoant, an
was evidently astonisbed by the immel
sity OF the order bad presented. ! le
a the bank with my pocket-book fall {
d notes, and found that bad losi the trail
a The next would be the nigh, express, I
Z t,roiled into billiard room. A man
. just ss safe with q fortune 10 bis pock'
~ II penuiless, so that be Is wise enous
to bold bis tongue. There Was soH
clever playing golag on, aud ! s,oc
watching the players tlll some one cha
lengsd me 10 have game. II have ol