The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-11-21

mediately examined the girls throat.
and shook his head: then he muttered q
fatal word-diphheria.
They had wasted four days squirting
petty remedies at symptoms, instead Of
finding the cause and attacking it, and
now he told them plainly he feared it
was too late-the fatal membrane was
forming, and, indeed, had half closed
the air-passages.
BARLEY in his rage and despair would
have driven the local doctor out of the
house, but thist the London doctor would
not allow. He even consulted him on
the situation, now it was declared, and,
rs often happens, they went in for
heroic remedies since il was too late.
But neither powerful stimulants nor
biting draughts nor caustic applications
could hinder the deadly parchment from
growing and growing.
The breath reduced to a thread, no
nOurishment possible except by baths
of beef-tea, and similar enemas. Ex-
haustion inevitable. Death certain.
Such was the hopeless condition of
the rich mans child, surrounded by
nurses and physicians. when the father
of the poor mans child applied to the
clerk Bolton for that employment which
meant bread for his child, and perhaps
life for her.
William Hope returned to his little
Grace with loaf of bread he bought on
the road with Bottoms shilling, and
fresh milk in Il soda-water bottle.
He found her crying. She had con-
trived, after the manner of children, to
have an accident. The room was al
most bare of furniture. but my lady had
found wooden stool that could be
mounted upon and tumbled off, and she
had done both, her parent being away.
She had bruised and sprained her little
wrist, and was in the depths of despair.
"Ah," said poor Hope, Il was afraid
something or other would happen if 1
left YOU"
He took her to the window, and set
her on his knee, and cOmfOrted her. He
cut narrow slip off his handkerchief.
wetted it, and bound it tightly and deft-
ly round her wrist, and poured consola-
ton into her ear.
Then her father fed her with bread
and milk, and afterward laid her on the
bed, and asked her whether she loved
him.
Dearly. dearly" said she.
Then if you do" said he, you will
go to sleep like good girl. and not stir
off that bed till / come back"
mo more WILL" said she.
However, he waited until she was in
an excellent condition for keeping her
promise, being fast as church.
Then he looked long at her beautiful
face, waX-like and even-tinted, but full
of life after her meal, and prayed to
Him who loved little children, and went
with beating heart to Mr. Bartley's
office.
But in the short time, little more than
an hour and half, which elasped be-
tween Hopes first and second visit
some most unexpected and remarkable
events took place.
BARLEY came in from his child's dying
bed, distracted with grief; but business
to him was the air he breathed. and he
went to work as usual, only in Il hurried
and bitter way unusual to him. lie sent
ont his clerk Bolton with some bills and
told him sharply not to return without
the money: and whilst Bolton .Sp-called
was making his toilet in the lobby his
eye fell on his other clerk, MOnckton.
MOnckton was porting over the ledger
with his head down, the very picture of
a faithful servant absorbed in his mas
ter'S work.
But appearances are deceitful. He
had a small book of his own nestled be-
tween the ledger and his stomach. 1t
was filled with hieroglyphics, and was
his own betting book. AS for his brown
study. that was caused by his owing
GOO in the ring, and not knowing how
to get it. To be sure, he could rob Mr..
BARLEY. lie had done it again and again
by false accounts, and even by abstrac-
ton Of coin, for he had false keyst to his
employers safe, cash-bOX, drawers, and
lnf in, In, hn nj
ed this game often enough, and was
afraid to venture it again so soon and
on so large scale.
He was so absorbed in these thoughts
that he did not hear Mr.. BARLEY come
to him; to be sure, he came softly, be-
cause of the other clerk, who was wash
ing his hands and brushing his lair in
the lobby.
SO Bartley's hand fell gently, but all
in a moment. on MoncktOns shoulder,
and they say the shoulder is a sensitive
part III conscious rogues. Anyway
Monckton started violently, and turned
from pale to white, and instinctively
clapped both hands over Sis betting
book.
"Monckton," said his employer, grave
~, II have made Il very ugly discovery.
Periodical errors in the balances, and
tlit tlIOIS AWAY - dStlllSu ne.
Monckton began to perspire. Not
knowing what TO say, he faltered, and
at last stammered out, "Are you sure,
sir?n
"Quite sure. have long seen reason
TO suspect it, so last night / went
through all the books, and now | am
sure Whoever the villain is will send
him to prison il | can only catch him.
And YOU must help me-"
Then Monckton' eyes turned this way
and that iii manner that is common
among thieves. and sardonic smile
curled his pale thin lip, and said, at is
my duty. But how"
"Why. suspect everybody. and watch
them. Now there's this clerk Bolton:
know nothing about him; YVES taken
by his looks. Have your eye on him"
II will, sir said Monckton. eagerly.
He drew Il long breath of relief. For all
that, he was glad when a voice in the
little Office announced a visitor.
A tall. stiff military figure literally
marched into the middle of the office,
and there stood like a sentinel
Mr.. BARLEY could hardly believe his
senses.
Colonel Cliffordw said he, roughly.