St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-04-04
a Marrow Escape.

a Narrow Escape.
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 the important
position which he held, but Mr.. Brand
had never found his raith in Tom mis-
placed.
Having heard rumors concerning a
house with which he had extensive deal
ings, the merchant had despatched Lake
to London, telling him to make inguir-
les, and in any case to get the partners
of the firm in question to settle 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 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 n
81 hope so, Mary, but it is very late.'
''ls there no other train ~
"Only the night express, and that
does not stop only at the central sta
tions."
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 a man who
has given his word"
The fair pleader was silenced her
father was angry, and, knowing his
strictncss of principal, and how inveter-
ate was his dislike to- any breach of dis
cipline or duty, that she did not venture
to speak again.
The time dragged slowly on; Mr.
Brand continued his restless walk, and
Mary sat suhdued and quiet, watching
him. She saw that he was listening as
the night express went whirling by, and
from the depths of her heart there went
up Il prayer that Lake would come safe
ly 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 PISSED. Mr.. Brand
was reading the commercial news but
the first time in his life it did not in
terest 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. Aud Mary,
reading her fathers countenance, felt
chilled and panied by the slur cast on
her lovers honesty by his suspicious
her every thought was denial to his
doubts, and as the rapid clatter of Il
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 stearn face relaxed
with smile of pleasure: he was not
emotional or demonstrative, but his
daughters gladness pleased him.
There was a few moments of expect
ancy, and then Tom Lake came in. He
went straight to Brand, only noticing,
WIN bON- lONCiN lace WHOSE
glance thrilled his soul.
'They have paid" he said quickly,
as he placed Il thick pocket-book in the
merchants hand ''but think we were
only just in time"
''Indeed ~
"There was Il consultation at the
bankers before l could get cash for the
check"
''Do you think they will break q'
'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?"
''No; but l was very glad to get the
money; 10000 would have been a
heavy loss"
"It would have done me serious in
jury just nOw."
"And yet" said Tom, gravely, "this
morning the odds were considerably
against it ever reaching you"
"HOwq"
Tom took two chairs, placed them
side by side near the fire, led Mary to
one and seated himself in the other. He
had done his duty as merchants clerk.
and was now Mr.. Brands prospective
son-in-law and partner.
81 had an adventure" he said; was
the hero of Il strange strange story in a
ride by express.
Mary bent forward to listen Tom
clasped her hand in his own. Mr.. Brand
sat opposite them, interested by the
speakers manner as he began:
"When l got the check had an idea
that all might not be well, so to make
sure l presented it at the bankers.
There was, as | told you, consulta-
tion before they cashed it, and while the
consultation was going forward motto
ed stranger looking at me intentlv.
l knew the man in my younger and
wilder days. L had met him often at
race-course, in billiard rooms. and in
other places more or less respectable,
Now he was changing check for some
petty amount, and was evidently aston
ished by the immensity of the order I
had presented. 1 left tue bank with