The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-03-18
~ A BOLD STROKE.

"Rehect a moment, Myrtle. beseech
you! You hold my life and happiness
in your handi," and the voiSe of Adel-
bert Tompkins trembled as he spoke the
words with an earnestness that fol bade,
even for single instant, any doubt as
to their being the outpourings OF his
heart
Myrtle Mihaffy was a beautiful girl,
just budding into sweet womauhood, and
Adelbert loved her dearly. They had
wandered together this summer afternoon
from the matinee to the street car, and
he had asked her to be his wife. 1t was
in answer to THIS qu=stion-the earnest
appeal of man whose whole nature vas
wrapped up in passion he could neith-
er control nor cast aside--that Myrtle
had spoken the words with which our
story opens. She had watched him
closely during an acquaintance of some
two years, and noticed with pain how he
sedulously avoided candy stores and ice
cream saloons. II can never marry a
man" she had said to lei. fmother one
day, "who SHES at the sight of candy
store like country horse at o fire-ep-
gine." aud when the expected avowal
came, she kept her word.
Adelbert turned round in dazed sort
of way after Myrtle had rejected him,
and walked swiftly toward the dry. goods
store which had been so fortunate as to
secure his services.
All theafternoon Adelbert stood moo l.
lily behind the ribbon counter, thinking
of how he could -revenge himself on the
nanghty girl who had wrecked his hap
piness. AT precisely AZ o'clock fierce
JOY lighted up his countenance, and putt
ting On bis lat, he left the store.
As the bell Of St. Agnes church were
striking ., a young ,mNu. .sprang lightly
up tie steps of magnificent residence,
and vas soon seated in,the. .sumplpously
furnished parlor. The proprietor of the
house, a benevolent looking old gentle
man, entered the room. do you wish
to tee me? he said TO Adelbert Tomp-
kins-lor it was he who had sprung up
the steps so lightly.
Yes" he replied, 'you are the person
l SEEK
"What would your" asked the old gen.
tleman.
"You are the cashier in the - bank,
l believer said the young man.
II am"
You have been stealing the concerns
money. d. not seek to deceive me -
You are cashier; 'tis enough. Give
me $40. 600 or 1 will expose you and ruin
your life. Having heard me twitter, you
can choose your own course"
For an instant the cashier did not
move, and then, going TO an elegant es-
criotoire which stood in corner of the
rom, he wrote checklfor $50 900, Ger
titled it, aud handed the piece of paper,
now fortune, TO the young msu,
Il have but one favor to ask" he said.
"and that is that you'll marry my daugh-
ter. wouldn't ike to letas sure thing
as you go out of the family. She has
500, 600 in her own right, and when I
am dead aud the bank directors are in
jail on account Of my book. keeping. it
will suffice to keep you in comfort"
Two months later Myrtle Mahsffy, the
cashiers only child, became Adlebert's
bonuy bride. One child, blue-eyed
boy with golden hair, has bl ssed the
union, aud as be sits on his grandfather'S
knee in front of the fire, and asks in his
innocent, childish way, if papa isn't
smart man." the old gentleman kisses him
fondly aud snys in soft, low tones:
You're singing on the right key now