Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-05-16

MI. Street, holplcssly. what would
you do?" u g.. "a. .-
Mr. Lamoreaux gazed rehectively
out into the darkness. -.
'Tll tell you. Street, he said.
slowly. Il wouldn't do any thing. I'd
keep an eye on tho man. and say moth
ing. You see. he's so prominent here.
'twould make u terrible sensation.
And 1t you have no evidence but your
memory, you couldn' prove any thing.
anyhow 49, ...',
"Yes. and his accomplices might
assassinate ME. or something, too"
THAT'S So" promptly assented his
friend. Its clearly your duty to
keep STILL"
At that instant = light flashed across
the street. A man emerged from a
doorway opposite, stopped moment
to light a cigar, then walked rapidly
down the street. He was a little above
the medium height, and slender: A
heavy black mustache and square-cut
chin were all that was visible beneath
the soft cap he wore we'll over his eyes.
BE carried his head we'll forward and
walked rapidly, with light, noiseless
step.
The two men under the gaslight
calculated simultaneously:
':Hammond!'
There is some thing queer about
him. observed Mr. Lamoreaux.
Its the shadow of crime" said
Mr.. Street. solemnly.
The town clock struck eleven. Aud
the two friends, by common consent,
abandoned the lamp-post and turned
their faces homeward.
Mr.: Cleveland B. Street was con-
coded by every one to be most e.
Unable young man. The president of
the bank spoke highly Of him on all
occasions, and occasionally increased
his salary. The old ladies approved
OF him and the young ladies said he
was mice" He was q member of the
Shooting Stars Dramatic Club. the
East Fad Dancing Club and Musical
Union. He sang tenor in the Presby-
terrain Church. He led the uneventful
life of the average business man and
was reasonably contented and happy.
There was, beside ill this. another
circumstance which conspired to make
Mr.: Street, in anticipation. q most
enviab]e man. Miss Alice Wilson was
a handsome, vivacious brunette, who,
by her thousand winning ways. had
completely ensnared the heart of the
young cashier. OF late. she had been
perceptibly more encouraging, and he
felt serenely confident that when he
urged his suit she would not say him
nay.
Some such thoughts as these were
fitting through Mr.: Streets mind. rs
he stood behind the bank counter, a
few days after the disclosure beneath
the gaslight And now, as his
thoughts reverted to Mr.. Hammond,
he could not repress feeling Of pity
for that unhappy man-for he must
be unhappy carrying about with him
such memory of hidden crime. His
ill-gotten gains might bring him in
f1uence. but they could never purchase
him happiness. MI. Street thought of
Alice Wilson, and said to himself that
he was sorry for the poor fellow
One day dashing eq uipage drew up
in front of the bank, and a lady leaned
out to speak to another on the walk.
Mr.. Streets quickened sight at once
recognized, in the occupant of tho car
riage, Miss Alice Wilson. But who
was it sitting beside her and smiling
down upon her with such confident
gallantry? The cashiers eyes fol-
lowed them far up the street, but that
first look had been enough-it was
Walter Hammond!
1T S queer isn't itP'' said the teller.
at his elbow, chow that Hammond
got right into society here. He shot
right up like a rocket and nobody
knows any thing about him, either.
before he came here. Well, money'll
take a body anywhere nowadays"
But the cashier was not listenin Q.
He banged the door together and went
home to his tea, locking the door with
such a for bidding face that man who
met him said he shouldn wonder If
the First National had sustained loss;
he met c. B. Street coming away from
there with a face as long as your arm.
That was only the beginning Mr.
Hammond began to attend Miss Viii :
son like shadow: He escorted her
to parties, and theater and church.
Be he ever 80 assiduous, Mr.. Street
always found his attentions to the
young lady anticipated by Mr.: Ham,
mond. There was no pleasure in
calling there any more. Mr. Ham
mond was sure to be there. Did he
aspire to take her to a place of amuse-
ment. he only had the modification of
hearing that she was 80 sorry" but
had '1ust accepted an invitation. "
And he would see her there with Mr..
Hammond.
Meanwhile, the cashiers face grew
graver and still more grave. The
worried lines in his forehead settled
into an habitual frown. The one lit
flo o1o,1d which had salad CD ,,oov