The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-08-27
SAVED BY A DETECTIVE.

paced his room 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 the i'm
portant position which he held, but Mr..
Brand had never found his trust in Tom
misplaced.
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 up their
accounts.
So Lake had gone from Liverpool to
London. The time had passed for his
return, and still he did not come
A lady entered and stole by 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 to-
night, dear papa 2''
81 hope so, Mary, but it is very late"
els there no other train 2'
"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 in
veterate 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 silent, watching
him. She saw that he was listening, as
the night express went whirling 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 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 possession
should the London firm have paid him.
And Mary, reading her fathers counte-
nance, felt chilled and panied by the
slur cast over her lovers honesty by his
suspicions-her every thought was
denial of his and as the rapid clatter of
horses feet rang out, she ran to the
window.
"Look - she said, dashing the cur
tains 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 was a few moments of expec-
fancy, and then Tom Lake came in. He
went straight to Mr.. Brand, only notic-
ing 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.'
Indeed"
"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 fear Y'
No; but was glad to get the money;
twelve thousand would have been
heavy loss. And yet," continued Tom,
gravely, F" this morning the odds were
considerably against its ever reaching
you"
How?" bn
Tom took two chairs, placed them
side by side near the fire, led Mary to