Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-03-02

would not take the check-bopks then,
but would think over the matter and
speak to me in The morning. Til
struck me AT the time as rather an Odd
proceedings, but nothing more. must
have been very stupid, in spite of all
knew frankly confess that MOI
until y do~n Gu my sof, 10 enjoy
nv fe dinner pipe di it really occur
to me That he was contemplating ars-
fisaI. The idea, ouce conceived, was
90 her iol, reasonable 10 be easily got
rid Of, and | spent a wax, fll and a
reicheG hi hit. La the morning my
y or-l fears were realized. When 1 saw
Mr.. Gibbs he said he had been thinking
the matter over aud had come 10 the
conclusion that il would moi be
dvisabe to give the signature OF the
firm. lreasoned, expostulated aud put
ntf re | i IL in the strongest words the
probeble conse quences, both TO Mr..
NJ rrlck and the company, tf"i, un-
reasonable r,fisal; but the loug- allied
{ chance hid cvme and ne was not
going to lie il slip. At last he he said,
We'll, fy9u won't do it, Mr.. Stuart
III ; shall ask him.
Ask him by all means, he said.
coolh turning to bis ne" spapcr; but
I, will lie of no use. l have been talk
ing 10 him about it and he quite agrees
\ ith me. He won't sim, you'll see.'
1t was now impossible not to per
ceive that It was concerted plot aud
hope nearly died within me; but L was
not goins to leave Merrick to the mercy
o these PhlIslines without making a
tight tor him. | TUNED on my heel
without word and walked into Mr..
Suarl's ofioe.
1t was. as Mr.. Gibbs had predicted
OF no use. Mr.. Stuart refused to sIg"
and declined 10 give any reason for his
refu,al. l ~as now non plussed. but
would not qnite abaudon hope. A
telegram from Mr.. Merrick might come
any moment, aud then could wire ia
him for instruction in this unexpected
crisis. Eleven struck, then twelve,
then one; and dared not wait any
logger. felt /. must now act upon
my own responsibility; so | locked ny
my books. pat on my hat ana hurried
to the bAuk TO lay the matter betor'
Mr. Grey. told him the story, ans
ne listened quietly.
After | had flushed he was silent for
8 me time, aud did nothing but tickle
his lip iu Il more than ususally irritating
m.nner. AT last he said
1T is very a~kwark, Mr Rtdford, very
awkward, Indeed. can'l advise yot
a, all | Am perfectly helpless in the
matter. Ol course the checks must be
couurerslgned-, on know that as well
IA do; aud If the firm won't sign we
must have the signature Of +. w. W.
Merrlck.'
| thought that he put the thing in
rttner curious language. and when
met his eye he Vas regarding me will
what may call an expresslonless ex
preston, MS if ne had purposely empti
ed his face Of all meaning aud we're lay
ing it before me as a problem 10 b.
solved.
What did you say' l inquired, sim
ply to give myself time 10 think.
Il SAID lie answered. speaking more
''N aud decisivel, than before. that
r ~ IS must have tie signature
: o. E. w. ", w., ,rrlck.'
. GUM
, OF course he is, and that q. ,~
= culty.' said Mr.. Grey, now re2a.
! ME with an odd look which seemed
Il inquire. Is this frllo~, who protesc'
To be friend OF Merick's, a tool or
= coward? IhOpe | am not quite eitbe
f and by A sudden fash of intuition | sa
y ,he nature OF the suggestion which hs
= so nngeniously been made to me-
sprang to my feet aud exclaimed;
= All right. Mr.. Grey; thank you vel
i. much; it will be managed, no doub
U Good day.
s .Y.un:e qmte welcome said h
'but. after all, have told you uothIr
o ,at you didn't know before. You
W. must have a signature OF sor
ones
- As our hands met eur eyes met ais
- III there was no doubt that We unde
Il stand each other.
went back 10 the Office in state
- unusual excitement, but got throu
,e fmv work as usual. and did not lea
:, tor home sntil the regular time. l I"
= with ne the two check books and aoc
half d,zB letters aud other do'
o nents. On each of which appeared
,e sicnarure Which Mr.. Grey had told
V 40 empliaticaly he must have-Ihe s
- uature OF +. W. W. MerricE.
Ia | rather alarmed NY wife by ea'l
l.. and drinking about half IN, usual qua
.n Inv. but | had business before
~ witch required that both head a
hand, should DC up 10 the mark, 9
NJ was not going TO run the risk OF p
il tno them out oil order. Dinner CO
i. cIuded. vent up stairs to my lit
~ hbrar,. hghted PIPE, opened
k, ,laced on lie table Que OF the iett
IF, ,rom the packet. aud alter studying
mr. .,ona,,.re for some time to familiar
n, nyselr with It's hoes and curves-~
what arl.crl les call the spirit oil
,ad handlug'-I took from drawer a 81