Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-23
AN ODD STORY OF JUSTICE.
CHAPTER I

4
Amer lean war who had something to say
| against the firm of Parkman, Bubb & Parkman,
| of II Change Alley. They could not deny that
| it was an old-established concern, for Park
| mans had been trading between London and
| Calcutta in almost the early days Of John Com
| pany Bahadur. And they could not say that 1t
| was not prosperous, for its name stood high in
| its own branch of business; and 1t had never
been known to go in for rash speculations or
| risky profits. But what people did say, and
| there old fogies Change never
I tired of repeating it, was that there was
| too much young blood in Parkmans'.
| "Go into Parkmans'." these would say, land
you'll have yong man to deal with, unless you
| have the luck to do with old Parkmanv' treat
ment which they seemed to think most Often
sive. And of course when old Parkman died
rather suddenly, these carpers were still more
triumphant. There was no saving clause now
when they stated the treatment you might ex-
| pect at Parkmans'. For the second partner was
| only sleeping Notwithstanding it was cur
| rently reported, on fine estate in Ross-shire-
and young Parkman-well. he was young Park
| man. Then Critchlow, the cashier was young
head clerk, was very young, being something
| over thirty. And altogether Parkmans' might
expect, for some time to come, to hear a good
| deal about its young blood.
III was O'Clock on saturday some three
! weeks after old Mr.. Parkman's death. In the
| large office the clerks We're putting away their
books, and getting down their hats There was
a murmur of talk about the river, or Wimble-
| donor whatever amusement they severaly had
| IN view for the afternoon, VIXEN a tall man,
| dressed in dark mourning, and wearing his hat,
| entered from an inner room. The noise sank to
! respectful hum. He was handsome man,
with q short fair mOustache and light blue eyes.
He nodded pleasantly to one or two of the clerks
and walked through az, to where glass case in a
| Crisp, n small, slender, dark-comple xioned
man, looked up peevishly as the chief entered,
| but seeing Who 1T was would have get down
/ from his stool.
"Sit STILL" the merchant said laying his hand
| lightly on the others shoulder to stay him. 81
| am only waiting for the carriage. 1t is more
pleasant here than in the outer office. You are
not going about your usual business to-day, 1
| think, Crisp, eh?''
The clerks face flushed.
| 'NO, Mr.. James," he said, ~ am not
What. haven't you made it up with her yet?'
The young man shook his head, and then
! broke out suddenly with:
and what is more, sir, my temper has been
| so bad ever since Crtchlow found out this def
| cheney that should be afraid of making mat
| tiers worse. don't wonder she could not stand
b. If no g04d my er ip to make it up With tn
myself again, and can look her in the face. AS
told you, sir, shall come back at four, and go
never forget your kindness, sir never! But
that Critchlow is so trying,-theres not clerk
| In the office does not know now that there is
something the matter with my accounts
Crisp spoke with deep feeling and it was evil
dent that the other believed him.
Don't think too much of it, he said kindly
'If it cannot be explained, l shall still trust
YOU 1t is buta small amount. Try to hit upon
Try cried the head clerk; "Ive tried again
and again."
He passed his hands through his hair until it
stood on end. and with his bright, black eyes
gave him a very wild look.
We'll, do your best the merchant answered,
drawing ifher G,3 on his gloves; You know my poor
in your father-and have the same. Crisp"
And then he went, the young man looking
after him with grateful, almost worshipping
at his age so invariably kind and considerate
TO their interiors as was James Parkman. Old
Parkman had been the same, and father and
son enjoyed rare popularity in the office. It
was whispered. but probably there was no truth
in the malicious rumor, that they never QUAR-
relied save with one another.
:, Crlsp sat for some minutes pondering and If
ms face Was any imaex TO ms thoughts upon
taking his hat went into the outer office There
were still two or three clerks there detained by
some small matters, and talking to them in a
sharp, rasping voice was stout, black whisk-
cred. short faced man.
'.Not found it out YETI" he said to Crisp. in a
sneering tone. He was Crtchlow the cashier
NO. retOrted the head clerk. ''nor likely to
while there is SO much noise in the Officer
-" ell, II were you. I'd stay and find it out,
if L stayed until tomorrow But it is fine to be
YOU I've got 10 stay until four or thereabouts,
error or no error
II think" said Crisp wrathfully, seeing the
clerks upon the broad grin, THAT l should make
it hot for You if l stayed long with you any
where,'
And without waiting to hear the cashiers re-
tort. or the burst of laughter which his own ex-
cited answer evoked from the youngsters, he
passed out and ran down the stairs and through
the quiet alley into the street.
CHAPTER III.
1t was halfpast four when Crisp after thread
ing divers of the city ways, in which the crowds
were now rapidly lessening, turned again into
Change Alley. y look of depressiOn-a haggard,
careworn look-was upon the young man face
as ne crossed 1t, his flead bent down. Suddenly
a sweet, glad cry-Oh. so out OF place there
struck upon his ear, and he stopped and looked
round with a start, to meet the next instant
two little glOved hands thrust into his two
brown eyes swimming with tears looking into
his black ones. "Oh, Ernestr' the girl cried
she was young and pretty, but dressed very
plainly in black, and until this moment had
worn her veil down aren't you glad to
see me?"
"Glad. my darlingc" he cried, all the care gone
out OF his face; Eyes, very glad. You know /
am glad
and you do love me as much as ever she
on his
YES" he said simply. Nor did she doubt
arrangement following that wretched petty
quarrel sine had fancied all sorts Of dreadful
things, "More and more every day, dearest. It
was all my fault, Ethel. had been worried
and ,vexed by business, and visited it upon
The girl looked up at him with clngine ewes.
as II 1t had been a privilege he had granted her.
Then she said. but not reprOachfully, 81 have
Ibid your he answered. ut was so good OF
you to be here, generous of you, like yourself!
But You must come in for a minute with me-
Ethel The house is quite empty. The care
taker L know has leave to be away this after
noon; and Critchlow, our cashier, will have left
by now"
II don't think ought" she said smiling
nonsense: he replied gayly. ~ must put
my books away now, and come back after tea
And see, If you are thinking of the proprieties
there Is a policeman watching US with the most
uniiattering interest,""
He opened the door with his key and she
came shyly in. once inside, however and the
door smut upon the inquisiIive pOliceman-weil
III Is no matter TO us how Crisp welcomed her
But this satisfactorily performed, they went IN
stairs, his arm round her waist-a strange sight
IN that dusty piace-their steps echoing in the
empty house. At the top of the stairs the door
into The large clerks room was aiar Crisp
pushed it open and led her in. "And this is
where you do your work. she asked, deyour-
ing with wide open eyes the long bare room
with It's four windows its row of desks and
stools along one side, and the glass box in the
far corner.
NO, he answered, laughing, 81 am supposed
10 be a cut above this, darling Only am
oD1gedt 10 be very careful not TO throw stones"
lie ied her up the room, and unlocking the door
of his glass house took herin. How delightful il
was To help her up on his high stool, and hold
IT, she might have become giddy: And see her
NJ her little boots 10 the rail of the desk and I'M
lock the latter and come at once face to face
with her own photograph. And then to see her
biusf all pleasure at this proof his fideltyi IT
was all so delightful that he wondered Whv
urday afternoons before, he had never brought
her 10 see his office.
And where do those doors lead to- Don't
Ernest; please leave my hair alone. How do you
Know. sir, that there is no one there?'
He stopped at Once-whateyerh no was doino
f.ark fail 1t.