Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-06-12
4 GI2,OOO CEEQUE.

The hour grew iate, anu MI Drau'
paced his chamber in moody silence
The train had come in, but his messen
ger had not returned, and the merchant
was troubled. Troubled by a vague sOr
of doubt, which haunted him IN spite o
his faith IN Lake. 4 merry, sober ole
trader of long experience had said thai
Lake was too young to ill the impor-
tant position which he held, but Mr.
Brand had never found his trust in Ton
displaced.
Having heard rumor. concerning
house with which he had extensive deal
lngs, the merchant had despatched Lake
to London, telling him 10 make inqui'
ries, and in any case, to get the part
ners OF the firm in question to settle
their account.
SO Lake had gone from Liverpool tc
London. The time appointed for his re-
turn passed, and still he did not come
A lady entered, and stole to the mer'
chants side her own sweet face was
anxious, and there was a tremor III the
music Of her voice, as she SAID
DO you think he will be here to-
night, dear papa: p
i hope Sc, Mary ; bat it is very late
is there no other train? p
Only the night express, and thai
does not stop, except at the central
stations
Perhaps he will 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, sternly; 'punc:ualitY
is an imperative duty with men Of busl-
ness
But, papa, something may have ec-
Cured to detain him.
Nothing should detain a man wht
has gwen his word
The fair pleader was silenced-hel
father was angry, and knowing his
strictness ofprinciple, and how inveter-
ate WAS his dislike to any breach Of dis
cipline or duty, she did not venture tc
speak again.
The time dragged slowly on ; Mr.
Brand continued his restless walk, anC
Mary sat subdued and quiet, watchin.
him. She saw that he was listening a:
the night express went whrling by ;
and from the depths Of her heart there
went a prayer that Lake would como
safely home. The girl loved him
would have staked her life on his truth
and knew that he was not beyond hi
time through any weakness or wrong
Two slow, weary hours passed. Mr
Brand was reading the commercla
news but for the first time in his lif'
it did net interest him he was thinking
of the young clerk, and the heavy sun
ofmoney that would be in his possession
should the London firm have paid nn.
And Mary. reading her fathers counte
nance, felt chilled and panied by th
slur cast on her lovers honesty by hi
sssplcions-her every thought was
denial to his doubts, and as the rapit
clatter ola horses feet ran out, sh
ran TO the window.
Look p she said, dashlng the curtain
aside with eager hands look, papa,
sad he would come-I knew he would.
come-I knew he would
The merchants stern features relax
cd With smile Of pleasure he wa
not emotional or demonstrative, but hi
daughters gladness pleased him.
There were a few moments Of eXpec
fancy, and then Tom Lake came in. II
went straight to Mr. Brand, only no
ticing with a bow the lovely face who's
glance thrilled his sOul.
They hava pald,' ne said quietly, a
he placed a thick pocket-book in thC
merchants hand, but | think we Ner
only just in time
'Indeedn
There was a consultation at th,
bankers before | could get cash for tn
check
DO you think they will break p
'Hopelessly. They have given mi
an immense order, but it would not b.
wise to forward the goods
You did not hint that We had tn
slightest fear? p
NO, but | was glad to get the money
twelve thousand pounds would hav
been heavy loss
And yct,' said Tom grayely, 'thi
morning the odds were considerabl.
against it everre reaching YOU
How p
Tom took two chairs, placed then
side by side near the fire, led Mary +
one, and seated himself in the other
He had done his duty as the merchant
clerk, aRd now was Mr.. Brands pros
pectiYe sen-in-law and partner.
Il had an adventure, he said +; Il wa