The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-07-16
THEMYsrERIoUS STRANGER.

L ut tIJtii itstu C''iiV sus 49,
ger had not returned, and the merchant
was troubled. Troubled by vague
sort of doubt, which haunted him in
snite of his faith in Lake. A merry
sober old trader of long experience had
s,;,l that Lake was too Young to fill
the important position which he held.
but Mr.. Brand had never found his
trust in Tom misplaced.
Having heard rumors concerning
house with which he had extensive
dealing, the merchant had-dispatched
Lake to London, telling him to make
enquiries, and in any case, TO get the
partners of the firm in question To
settle their account.
So Lake had gone from Liverpool
TO London. The time appointed for
his return passed. and still he did not
come.
\ lady entered and stole to the
merchants side. her own sweet face
was anxious, and there was Il tremor
in the music of her voice. rs she said:
"Do YOU think he will be here to-
night. dear papa"
81 hope 50 Mary, but it is very
late"
"Is there no other train?
''Only the night express. and that
does not stop, except at the central
stations"
..Perhaps he will not come. papa !:
he would not mind coming ten miles,
even if he had to walk.
"He should not have missed the
train" said Mr.. Brand, sternlv !;
punc,uality is an imperative duty with
men Of business"
But. papa, something may nave
occurred TO detain him"
Nothing should detain man who
has given his word.
The fair pleader was silenced-her
father WAS angry. and knowing his
strictness of principle. and how invete-
rate was his dislike to any breach OF
discipline or duty. she did not venture
to speak again.
The time dragged slowly on; MIR,
Brand continued his restless walk. and
Mary sat suhlued and quiet watching
him. She saw that he was listening
Is the night express Went whirlipg by.
and from the depth of her heart there
Went prayer that Lake would come
safely home. The girl loved him.
would have staked her lite on his
truth. and knew that he was not be.
yond his time through any weakness
or wrong. Two slow, weary hours
passed. Mr.. Brand was reading the
commercial news: but for the first
time ia his life it did not interest him ;
he 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 counte
name, felt chilled and panied by the
SUR cast on her lovers honesty by hi,
suspicions-her every thought was q
denial to his doubts. and as the rapid
clatter of horses feet rang out. she
ran to the window.
Look she said. da>hing the cur
tains aside with eager hands; look,
papa, | said he would come-l knew
! he would"
The merchants stern feathers relax
Ell with 4 smile OF pleasure he Va:
not emotional or administrative, bu
his daughters gladness pleased him.
There were il few moments Of eX
pectancy, and then Tom Lake came
in. lie went straight to Mr.. Brand
only noticing with bow the Lowell,
face whose glance thrilled his soul.
They have paid" he said quietly
as he placed thick pocket-book il
the merchants hand, "but think w
were only just in time"
Indeed ="
There was consultation at tn,
bankers before could get cash fo
the check"
"Do YOU think they will break"
"IIoPelessly. They have given M
an immense order, but il would not b.
wise to forward the goods"
"You did not hint that we had tn,
slightest fears"
"No. but | was glad to get tn
money; $4,000 would have been
heavy loss"
at would have done serious injur,
just now"
"And yet" said Tom gravelv
this morning the odds were consider
ably against its ever reaching you"
How"
| Tom took two chairs, placed then
side by side near the fire, led Mary &
one, and seated himself i'm the other
He had done his duty as the mel
chants clerk, and now was Mr.. Brann'
prospective sOn-in-law and partner.
81 had 10 adventure" he said. ("
was the hero of strange story in
ride by express"
Mary bent forward to listcn-Tou
claSped her hands in his own. Mr.
Brand sat opposite them, interested
by the speakers manners. As he be
gan:
When ! got the check had an ide;
that AL might not be well. 80 to max,
SIRE | presented it at the bankers
There was, as told you. a consllta
ton before they cashed it, and Will
the consultation Was going forward
noticed a stranger looking at me in
ien!ly. ! knew the man in nv younge
and wilder days. / had met hin
often at the race course. in billiar,
ROOMS, And in other places more %
less respectable. Now he was chang
ing check fer some petty amount
and WAS evidently astonished by til,
immen>iiy Of the order had present
ed. | left that bank with NV packet
book full Of notes. and found that
had lost the train The NEXT wonl,