Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-30
A $4,000 CHEQUE.

Inc nOur grew late and Dlr. Brand
paced his, chamber in moody silence.
The train had come in, but his messcn-
ger had not returned and the merchant
was troubled. Troubled by vague srt
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 fill the important
position which he held. But Mr.. Brand
had never found his trust in Tom dis
placed.
Having heard rumors concerning a
house with which he had extensive deal
ings, the merchant had dispatched Lake
to London, telling him to make inquiries,
and in any case, to get the partners of the
firm in question to settle their account. s
So Lake had gone from Liverpool to
London. The time appointed for his
return 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 tremor in the
music of her voice, as she said:
"Do you think he will be here tonight
dear papa2'' t&5FI = 81 T
II hope SO, Mary; but it is very late"
Ills there no other train?"
''Only the night express, and that 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,' y
said Mr.. Brand, sternly; "punctuality is
an imperative duty with men OF business
'But, papa, something may have oc-
Cured to detain him.
Nothing should detain man who has
given his word"
The fair pleader was silenced- her
father was angry, and knowing his strict
ness Of principle, and how inveterate
was his dislike to any breach of disci.
pline Of duty, she did not venture to
speak again.
The time dragged slowly on; Mr..
Brand continued his restless walk, and
Mary sat subdued and quiet, Watching
him. She saw that he was listening
when the night express went whirling by /;
and from the deapths of her heart there
went a prayer that Lake would come
safely home. The girl loved him, would
have staked her life on his truth, and
knew that he was not beyond his time
through any weakness or wrong. Two
was reading the commercial news, but
forthe first time in his life it did not in
terest him; he was thinking Of the young
clerk, and the heavy sum of n oney that
would be in his possession should the
LondeD firm have paid him. And Mary,
reading her fathers countenance, felt
chilled and panied by the slur, cast on
her lovers honesty by his [suspicions-
her very thoughwas denial to his
doubts, and as the rapid clatter of a
horses feet rang out, she ran to the
window. .esa 81.
"Look!" she said, dashing the curtains
aside with eager hands; "look, papa, /
said he would come-I knew he would. !"
The merchants stern features relaxed.
With q smile of pleasure; he was not
emotional or demonstrative, but his
daughters gladness pleased him.
There were q few moments of expect
ancy, and then Tom Lake came in. He
went straight to Mr.. Brand. only noticing
with bow the lovely face whose glance
thrilled his soul.
''They have paid" he said quietly, as
he placed a thick pocket-book in the
merchants hand, but think we were
only just in time"
1Indeedv'
''There was consultation at the bank
er's before ! could get cash for the
check
ssDo you think they will break?r
'Hopelessly. They have given me an
immense order, but it would not be wise
to forward the goods"
tsYou did not hint that we had the
! slightest fear?'
mo, but I was glad to get the money
$4,000 would have been a heavy loss.'
and YETI said Tom grayeiy, .sthis
morning the odds were considerable
against i ever reaching you.''
.sHow?"
Tom took two chairs, placed them side
by side near the fire, led Mary to one and
seated himself in the other Heh had done
his duty as themerchant's clerk, and now