Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-02-10
4 CALCULATED REVENGE.


CHAPTER |.
twas 10 O'Clock on Tuesday morn
inc, had already been at the Office a
rogple of hours. hard at work over
IsdGers and day books. They had been
INV constant companions for many days
Dast. was beginning 20 tire Of their
conuanv, But at last | had discover
ed that of which | was in search.
IwhIstled down my speaking-t ube
for Mr. Jsnkin, the head clerk of the
firm.
as Mr.. Macfarlane come yet?"
'.No. sir" was the reply,
Ifelt annoyed. He ought TO have
arrived half an hour ago, Was it pos
sIble be had taken fright?
Igave orders that he should be sent to
NE directly when he came.
Ihad been engaged on an important
affair but l believed l had carried it
through successfully. So far as | knew
nv examination of the books had been
made without exciting suspicion, but
it was difficult to be quite sure.
Half an hour passed before Macfar-
lane made his appearance. When he
entered the room it was evident that
he thought he was about 10 be repri-
manded for his tardy arrival, for he be-
gan 10 apologize.
listened to his excuses which i
happened to know were pure inveu-
tons, and then turned 10 the matter in
hand.
''Can you explain these figures?" l
asked him quietly, opening the ledger
at "a certain page.
He gave 4 slight start and then NOV
ed Slowly forward TO inspect the entry.
"What is It that requires explana-
tiOn:" be asked
According to the returns which |
have received from Frodsham and
Walker" l replied, ''the amount of
allow in their last consignment does not
tally with that stated in your entry.
Moreover, they do not seem to have been
allowed the usual discount, though
you have deducted it from the sums
which you have accounted"
The evidence was as clear rs day. He
could give 10 explanation.
at must have been mistake" he
said, I'VE used not 10 allow the
discount, and suppose I must have
overlooked the recent change il my
instructiOns.n
"It's a curious iniStlken l observed,
Il has occurred IL tie only case in
which, in the ordinary course of husi-
ness, we should have no check or your
Transactions. Pure accident rendered
ne suspicious, and l resolved TO see if
there was any ground for my suspi-
CONS"
He madeno reply.
Have you anything to say?" l
demanded.
Only that ii WAS mistake" he re-
iterated.
~ am afraid that excuse will scarce
ly be sufficient. y mistake which re-
suits in loss Of I7J pounds is not one
That can be passed over"
What DO you mean 10 do?" he
asked.
Naturally. shall put the whole
affair before my partne 5. In the meau-
TINE you viii remain here till they de-
eide That steps 20 take. =
lie moved a step toward the door,
uut had my hand on the bell, and lie
stopped.
Il have told YOU it was a mistake" "
be erepeated; but | am ready TO suffer
The consequences oft. II will ruin me
10 replace the money, bat / can give
you half Of it, and you can retain the
balance by degrees from my salary"
"Tha. IS not the usual method in
which embezzlement is treated" l re-
pied coidly.
'DO yOu mean that you will prose-
cute me?n
Il have no doubt Whatever that the
frn will.''
Its no good putting it on the firm,';
DC SAID angrily. 1T is you who have
discovered It all. No one will know a
word Of II if you do not speak,"
You confess t, then?" ! asked.
1 confess tC nothing except a mis-
iake. It is for you to undertake the
IeSpoaslbility OF treating it as anything
moTe. Are you going to ruin me?
Don't you know that if l am arrested
ny life is wrecked?"
L hesitated. 1t is 4 serious thing to
olaSt a mans prospect forever, how
ever he may deserve punishment. He
fit,
-, Why do you want TO injure ne?
Ehat good will it do you? You know
am The best man il the whole place
= !. wise 10 lose me? 1 Will work as
lsro as 4 dozen of them if you will let
ae OH. You will always have hold
over me in the future, and if you see
me Sinking. you will always be able 20
Keep me up to my work. If only you
VIII Keep sllentl No one else knows?"
his argument was the worst he could
lave used; il determined me finally.
saW that If consented 20 hold my
.ohgue | should be as muck at his
uercy as be is at nine-we should Se
aeeomplices.
1T stoo late - SAID. "You should
nave thought Of al this before. l have
on viii send me 10 prison. then?"
shall report what | have discoy-
very well, then" he said in a whis-
per, IF you 10. swear II! have my
iIeSensel Another couple Of years and
: SHOULD make my fortune, now You are
NestToylng everything. Take care"
am not to be hindered from do
%s ~ Giy duty by idle threats" rctort-
-. lou will find tkey are not idle" f" he
S.,c Se.Iiheq. III make you repent this
!. sa5' = Il i have to wait half my life for