The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-22
A $4,000 CHEQUE.

The hour grew late, and Mr.. Brand
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 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 fill tne
important position which he held, but
Mr.. Brand had never found his trust in
Tom displaced.
Having heard rumors concerning a
house with which he had extensive
dealings, the merchant had despatched
Lake to London, telling him to make
inquiries, and in any case, to get the
partners of the firm in question to set
tie their account.
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
merchant sside; 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 to-
night, dear papa?'
81 hope so, Mary; but it is very
late"
SIS there no other tramp
"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" said Mr.. Brand, sternly;" punc-
tuality 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
strictness of principle, and how invet-
crate was his 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 subdued and quiet, watching
him. She saw that he was listening
when the night express went whirling
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 life on his truth,
and knew that he 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 interest him; he was thinking
of the young clerk, and the heavy sum
of money that would be in his posses
sion should the London firm have paid
him. And Mary, reading her father S
countenance, felt chilled and panied by
the slur cast on her lovers honesty by
his suspicions-her very thought was a
denial to his doubts, and as the rapid
CHATTER of a horse S feet rang out, she ran
to the window.
"Lookn she said, dashing the cur
tains aside with eager hands; "look,
papa, said he would come-I knew he
would"
The merchants stern features re-
Taxed. With a smile of pleasure; he
was not emotional or demonstrative,
but his daughters gladness pleased
him.
There were a few moments of eX-
pectancy. 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 thick pocket-book in the
merchants hand, "but think we were
only just in time"
Indeedr'
"There was consultation at the
bankers before / could get cash for the
check"
"Do you think they will breakp"
"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 fearP''
"No, but was gladto get the money
E12,000 would have been heavy loss. ,
"And yet" said Tom gravely, "thi
morning the odds were considerabl,
against it ever reaching you"
"HowP"