Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-07

seems very much broken. Quite different man
"Now really, Rockman!" exclaimed Burton.
"you forget how precious my time is. Do go
on; there's good fellow"
ing as slowly as before, but 1t was done at last.
" Sign that, my boy" said he, pushing the doc
ument toward his visitor. "You win find that
Burton signed it instantly without reading
line, and tossed it back.
You always were cool hand" said the
abut 1 think should look at What I sighed.
when 1t concerned respectable number. OF
Burton Smiled feebly: the situation was too
painfully interesting for him to do more. The
manager carefully placed the receipt in q
drawer OF the table, opened the case, and taking
them. " You don't mind Jacobs and Levy's
draft on Rothschild for three thousand do you?'
he said "Hyou won't take that, 1 can't do it
.'Oh, never mind!" Interrupted Burton; "any-
thing Will do. Cut away; there's a good fell
"our gold and our own notes are locked ND
in the inner safe; but here is Colonial Bank
aper, Which may, perhaps, serve as well, un-
quite satisfactory, +" interrupted the relieved
mel chant, as he eyed the welcome notes; s'quite
good enough, Fred Pray proceed
Mr.. RCckman stared impressively at him for
though such haste over so solemn matter was
uIs eemly, IL not worse however he went on
without remark. "Five-five-two threes-
hack-AnglIce. a cab--dashed up to the door,
and laundering double-knock followed
"Hollo! What's up now?" exclaimed the
peosF N Re es eGan nd lie cried
Burton, hall rising from his seat. "Why don't
you go on?"
Don't be ridiculous, Burton" said the man
ager. "Any one would think you had been
drinking. Come In" These last words were
In answer to tap at the door: and the watch.
man presented himself. Gwen, what is it ?"
sc1ous that his visitor had gathered himself up
for dash at the notes the moment the man
spoke. "Who was there?"
alt was mistake, SIR replied the watch
man. 1.-THE hack-driver was q stranger, and
drove here instead of to the Royal Colonial
AN right" said the manager. "You may
go, Dennis Now then, Mfr. Burton, we will
five-two threes-one-one," &C.: and so on he
went until his bundle OF notes was exhausted.
Tie draft on Rothschild was duly Endorsed; the
whole were restored to the case, and the case
was handed to Mr. Burton after he had given
up his deposit note.
'sOf course" added the manager "theres
morrow we shall make out when you call, and
must be going
"You Won't stop then? You are quite sure?''
said tie manager, as his customer rose '.Well,
good night. Take care OF the wallet. AS your
hotel is so short distance from here, you may
De safe; but II you had to leave the lamps for
an instant, should say. Take hack Good
night"
They shook hands and parted Burton's first
act was to tnclose his precious case in small
locked satchel, which he then handed to The
landlord. and saw 1t securely deposited In the
great iron safe which all such places keep; then
he drank on at single gulp such draught of
ration OF two or three men who were lounging
at the saloon bar. Had it not been for this DO.
tent draught, he must have tainted; and as it
% In hnfr
worn out and exhausted by the events of the
day. In spite Of his excitement. he slept
soundly, so soundly and so long that the clang-
ing OF the breakfast bell reused him from sleep,
and hastily dressing himself, he went down to
the saloon. At the very first glance he could
see that something OF interest was under dis
cusSion, for instead OF sitting apart at separate
tables, the guests were all gathered in earnest
groups talking and gesticuIattng like so many
Frenchmen. AS ne made his way to vacant
aa Who IKE himself nad Just
this, Sir. What do you think Of the news?'
II really have not heard Of any news this
morning." returned Burton; Indeed, / have
but but just left my room, having oversight my
"Why, my dear sir" exclaimed the other, evil
IDENTITY ,gratified at finding some one to whom
.why, have you not heard? The great Gulf OF
Carpentaria and Northern Australia Bank-the
pest bank In the provtnce-has gone! Gone,
sir The mail CAME In last night with peremp,
tory orders TO close so our bank won't open this
morning; and 1t is said the depositors won't GET
half crown In the pound. Why" pursued his
new friend with sudden change of tone, "you
are not loser, hope"
II! o dear, no. Certainly not By no means"
iDcoherently replied Burton, who found great
difficulty in collecting himself sufficiently to say
anything.
Il was afraid you were HIT" said the other,
you turned SO pale. SO, as 1 was telling
Mr.. Burton had civility enough to pay an out.
ward show Of attention to what followed; but
the first great announcement had efTectuaIiy
discounted the interest Of the narrative.
Directly his breakfast was over, he set out fer
the Colonial Bank, where he exchanged his
notes for a draft payable to himself on his
London bankers. He then repaired to the
sailed for England, as he was now ready to re-
turn, aye, even at so short notice as that on
which he bad started; He had not gone fifty
YARDS from the bank before se came face to
face with MIR. Rockman. He felt, 1t must be
owned, q little sbeepish at this rencontre; but
no such sentiment appeared to influence tne
"Hello, old fellow" he exclaimed, as heartily
as he could, under the depressing circum-
stances. 'Ill be shot II you were not In luck
as well know you only left it in to oblige the
directors, and perhaps myself as an old friend
II you had left it in one day longer, you could
not have touched penny"
"You don't say sol" exclaimed Burton.
AL. "Bqt 90, though" returned his friend,
, 'and think, OLD fellow, as you have been so
bottle OF wine tonight at your expense. 1
think, friend Caleb, you may stand that
my dear fellow" exclaimed Burton. i'm.
mensely relieved to find how philosophicaily the
manager was treating what had been almost
life or death to him, .if there is good bottle of
port In Pelham yoa shall have 1t, or fifty such II
you Will drink them"
Come, that's handsome" returned the man.
ager good temperedly. 'tBut, what is your
hurry now? Where are you running to?'
+or am on 10 the shipping office" said Bur-
ton, Ito see when the next packet sails for
England"
1.-The next packet can make no difference 80
you," said Mr.. Rockman; ''you won't finish
your business In time for her; every one could
have told you that the Hercules sails to-mor.
row."
Tomorrow" echoed Burton; 'sGood. viii
send round the port wine tonight, Fred; but at
present you must excuse me-"
The tale need be no longer drawn out, as
nothing OF int rest remains to be told. The
Hercules did sail the next day, Mr.. Burton
being q passenger. His friend, the manager,
was intensely astonished to hear this at first;
but having received hint that MI. Burton had
only arrived by the Cerberus, his establishment
was changed to feeling of the deepest admtra-
ton; and narassed though he was, consequent
On the change in the fortunes Of the bank, he
G IN hfc Fritz pI afr ND