The Hickman courier., 1878-07-19

--Nr
-Iwide Awake.
A $4,000 GHEQUB.
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 a 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 the important
position which he held, but Mr. Brand
had never found his trust in Tom mis-
placed.
Having heard rumors concerning g
house with which he had extensive deal-
ings, 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 ac-
count.
So Lake had gone from Liverpool to
London. The tins appointed for his re-
turn passed, and still he did not come.
a lady entered, aud stole to the mer-
chant'sside; her own sweet face was anx-
ious, and there was a tremor in the
music in her voice, as she said
Do you think he viii be here to-
night, dear 2''
II 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 sta
tisns"
" Perhaps he viii come papa; he
would not mind coming ten miles, even
ii he had to walk"
"He shouId not have missed the
--za-.,''--aisi bF- R--..a- -t~-s,lv espune-
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 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 quiet, 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
a prayer that lake would come safely
home. The girl loved him, would have
staked her life 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 lie it did not inter
est him ne 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 his suspicious;
her every thought was a denial to his
doubts, and as the rapid clatter of a
horses feet rang out, she ran to the
window.
"Lookl she said, dsshing the
curtains aside with eager hands, look,
papa, ! said he would come-I knew he
would
The merchants stern features relaxed
with 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.
re went straight to Mr.. Brand, only
noticing with a bow the lovely face
whose glance thrilled his soul.
aThey have paid" he said quietly, as
he placed thick pocket book in the
merchants hand, but 1 think we were
only just in time"
"Indeed !"
"There was consultation at the
bankers beforeI could get cash for the
check"
"Do you think they will break T"
Hopelessly. They have given me an
immense order, but it would not be wise
to forward the goods"
ssYou did not hint that we had the
slightest iearY"
aNo, but 1 was glad to get the money.
Twelve thousand rounds would have
been heavy loss"
at would have done me serious in~
Jury just now"
aAnd yet" said Tom gravely "this
morning the odds were considerably
against its ever reaching YOU
eHow?"
Tom took two chairs, placed them side
NV side near the fire, led Mary to one,
and seated himselfon the other. He had
} dome his duty as the merchants clerk,
} and now was Mr. Brands prospective
so,n.inslsw and partner.
Il had an adyepture,p he said 81
wssthe, hero ofa strange story sin.a ride
bvexpressSss ss@s'z ~ ~ zts
Nary bent forward to IistenATon
c,Sped her hands in his own. Mr.. Brant
os-eppesite interested by tn.
} s,sakePs manner, as he began T.A
Il vuhay, II lornf the chent,esT 7 had or, IA q.