Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-07-20
determined to sleep upon his faith in

--~"S-
.en to put it away, and it was too
much trouble to unlock the secretary
again. He hesitated moment where
10 secure it, but almost instantly Sc
ected a place he considered singular
y safe, deposited there, and then
went to bed and to sleep.
The next day he went to Newport,
and there waited impatiently the ar
rival of the Merritts. Before he got
any letter from Jonas, Josie herself
had satisfied him. They had charm
ing stroll together,in which everything
was talked over, and which left
Charles in what he considered a very
happy and enviable position.
Nothing marred their heaven of the
next two months. At the end of that
time the reckless lover began to be
in want of funds. AS he had heard
nothing from Jonas, he determined
to 60 to New York and collect his /.
O. U. He had not a care in his heart
about it until he had searched his
secretary again and again, and failed
to find the paper. He lit cigar and
sat down to think. Then he sudden
ly remembered that he had found the
paper after he had locked the secre-
tary, and that he had hid it. He even
remembered the little laugh of delight
with which he had put it in such
capital place. But what place? He
could not remember that.
The room, as said before, was the
library, and the walls were covered
to a considerable height with books,
the top of the shelves being orna-
mented with busts, Indian boxes,
and Chinese cabinets and jars. He
looked behind the books, opened
those within his reach, rifled the box
es and cabinets, and peeped into all
the vases. The search was continu-
ed half through the night, but the pa
per was not found.
He tried to think that it was of no
consequence, but somehow his heart
failed him. Early next day he went
to the office of Jonas Terry, and
found him there. Jonas was busy
writing, but he lifted his head with a
smile, and rose heartily to greet his
friend.
"Jonas," said Charles, with puz.
zled eager look, ''that 1. O. U. 1
have lost it. Searched everywhere
all night for it, and can't lay my
hands on it."
'sWhat I. o. U?"
"The one you gave me for the ten
thousand dollars lent you in June.
After you went / sat down to think
about Josie Merritt, and when I was
getting sleepy l found it on the table.
1 was too lazy to unlock my secretary
again, and / hid it somewhere OF
else l thought hid it, and left ii
about, and the servants have swept
it away. However, will give you
acknowledgment that will cover all
possible claim if ever it should turn
up. That will do, you know"
''You must be dreaming, Charles,
I know nothing of an 1. o. u, and
1 don't at all see what you are drift
ing at"
''Jonas! You could not be such 9
scoundrel You are joking, oi
course
''Mr. Day, I request you to leave
my office at once, sir. / am not tC
be bullied or blackmailed in this way
l assure you.
Then Charles struck the scoundrel
and there was such an uproar Of
words and blows that the police were
called in, and the affair became suf
ficiently public, and indeed went into
the courts. Of course Charles 90
the worst of it every way. He ha6
no particle of evidence to show fo
his claim; he was fast, fashionabl,
and extravagant, while Jonas wa.
universally spoken of as 'estimabl'
and reliable" Society turned thu
cold shoulder toward him and for
bade their daughters to ride in hi
company or accept him for partne
in the dance. 'sBut then,'' as Mrs
Merritt shrewdly said, ''his engage
ment to our Josie has become known.
II was remarkable that after thil
quarrel Jonas Terry's business grew
with an amazing rapidity. Perhaps
the saving of that ten thousand hat
been the turning point of his fortune
We all know how the want of a five
dollar bill can sometimes lose for u
an amount amazingly disproportion
ate. Socially, too, his success was
| very great. He married a beautiful
stylish woman, who fully shared hi
antipathy to the Days, and who new
er lost an opportunity of mortifyins
them, and social Sights are bite
enough to those whose life turns upol
social success. In fact Mr.. and Mrs
Jonas Terry, with their grand hous'
and exclusive entertainments and flint
turnout, were the Mordecai sitting il
the gate of all of Charles and josie
happiness.
Many time the two had gone to
| gether over everything In the room
taken every book from the shelves
and examined every crevice in th'
cases, but all in vain. The |. O. U
was evidently lost, and Charles said
after every search and disappoint