St. Landry democrat., 1878-07-27
A $4,000 CHEQUE.

The hour grew late and Mr.. Brand
paced his chamber in moody silence.
The train had come in, but his messenger
had not returned, and the merchant was
troubled. Troubled by vague sort of
doubt which haunted him in spite of
his faith in Lake. A merry, sober old
trader Of long experience had said that
Lake was too young to ell the important
position which he held, but Mr.. Brand
had never found his trust in Tom mis-
placed.
Having heard rumors concerning a
house with which be had extensive deal
ipgs, the merchant had dispatched Lake
to London, telling him to make inqui-
ries, and in any case, to get the partners
of the firm in question to settle their &C.
count.
So Lake had gone from Liverpool to
London. The time appointed Tor his re-
turn passed, and still he did not come.
A lady entered, and stole to the mer-
cbant'sside her own sweet face was aux
ious, and there was tremor in the
music in her voice, as she said:
"Do you think he will be here to-
night, dear papa9'
II hope so, Mary; but it is very
late"
Ia there no other train"
"Only the night express, and that
does not stop, except at the central sta
tiens."
"Perhaps he will come papa; he
would not mind coming ten miles, even
il he had to walk"
"He should not have missed the
train," said Mr.. Brand, steraly; "punc-
tuality is an imperative duty with men
of business"
But, papa, something may have &C.
CURED to detain him.
Nothing should detain q man who
has given his word"
The fair pleader was silenced.-her
father was angry, and knowing his
strictness of principle, and how inveter.
ate was his dislike to any breach of dis
cipliue or duty, she did not venture TO
speak again.
The time dragged slowly on Mr..
Brand continued his restless walk, and
Mary sat subdued and qaiet, watching
him. She saw that he was listening as
the night express went viii ling by, and
from the depths of her heart there went
prayer that Lake would come safely
home. The girl loved him, would have
staked her lif, on his truth, and knew
that be was not beyond his time through
any weakness or wrong. Two slow,
| weary hours passed. Mr.. Brand was
reading the commercial news but for
the first time in his life it did not inter
est 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 countenance, felt
chilled and panied by the slur cast on
her lovers honesty by bis suspicious;
her every thought was a denial to his
doubts, and as the rapid clatter of
horses feet rang out, she ran to the
window.
Look she said, dssning the
curtains aside with eager hands, "lo1k,
papa, ] said he would COME knew he
would
The merchants stern features relaxed
with a smile of pleasure; he was not
emotional or demonstrative, but his
daughters gladness pleased him.
There were only few moments OF
expectancy, when Tom Lake came in.
He went straight to Mr.. Brand, only
noticing with low the lovely face
whose glance thrilled his soul.
"TheY have paid" he said quietly, as
he placed thick pocket book in the
merchants hand, but l think we were
only just in time" s.E.-aa
Indeed I" ..
There was consultation at the
bankers before could get cash for the
check"
do you think they will break?"
" Hopelessly. They have given me an
immense order, but it would not be wise
to forward the goods"
You did not hint that we had the
slightest iear?"
"No, but was glad to get the money.
Twelve thousand rounds would have
been heavy loss.''
It would have done me serious ins
jury just now"
And yet" said Tom gravely "this
morning the odds were considerably
against it's ever reaching you.o
How ~
Tom took two chairs, placed them side
BY side near the ere, led MARY to one
and seated himself on the other. He had
lone his duty a. thu merchants cIerk
md nov vas Mr.. Brands prospective
,on-in law and partner. |