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

tween him and the recreations OF his
leisure hours. IT confronted him from
the face Of his ledger at the bank. It
walked the streets with him and sat
down to dinner with him. It whisper
cd to him in his dreams. Every MORN
ing he awoke with the inquiry: What
ought to do about itv' and every
night no went to bod with the ques-
ton still unanswered. ~
And the cashier knew-how could
he help knowing-that lie was not
himself of late; that he was growing
moody and preoccupicd in company.
He could not help noticing the sur
prised looks of his friends at his
changed deme amor Still. he re-
strained himself He recognized that
fate had commissioned him an ennis
sary of justice. In his fingers he held
the fatal moose which, some day,
would drop over the head of his victim.
He could afford to bide his time.
Bur, whatever his duty to the COM
munity at large. he owed it to Alice
Wilson'S happiness to protect her
from this imposter. And 80 it came
to pass that he found himself one
evening pulling the Wilson's front
door bell, with fixed resolve to warn
Alice before he left the house. ort-
une favored him; she was alone; and
intent upon his purpose. he soon drew
Mr. Hammond's name into the con-
versati0n. .s
Hes peculiar man, isn't hep
said Mr. Street.
:Tm sure he's very nice man,"
responded Miss Wilson, warmly.
"Yes?" said MI: treet with an in
terrogation of dissent.
why, of course he is! don't see
what You can possibly have against
him." she added, reproachfully.
Il! Oh! nothing nothing" hastily
disclaimel the cashier
'Then. if you have nothing against
him what makes you insinuate things
against him?" urged the young lady,
logically.
This was not just the idea he wished
to convey. so he made another vent
ure.
Haven't you observed something
mysterious about Mr. Hammond" he
asked.
He does look like man who might
have history" admitted the young
lady.
Now she was helping him on.
Yes" he struck in eagerly; ''some
dark page in his life. some epoch of
trouble, Or-crime."
She caught at the last word.
What do you mean by that?'' she
demanded.
Now the time had come. the cashier
hardly dared divulge his secret He
coughed, hesitated, and finally stam-
mered:
'Why!--1-that is-Mr: Hammond
In fact-six years ago, I was
teller"
The parlor door opened. and who
should be ushered in but Mr. Ham,
mond!
The gentleman insisted on shaking
hands with MI. Street, although the
cashier frowned darkly upon him.
MI. Street, disregarding Miss Wilson'S
warning look, opened upon Mr. Ham,
mond with the remark:
I'VE were speaking Just now of
some one who had a mystery connect
ed with his life.''
':Indeed!' returned Mr. Hammond,
indifferently.
How is it, Mr. Hammond" asked
the cashier, do you think man
could successfully hide from the world
dark secret, some terrible crime he
had committed, for instance. and go
on living, just as if it had never been
done?''
MIR: Hammond shifted his dark
eyes uneasily from the fire to MI:
Street, and back again to the fire.
1T would depend great deal upon
the man." he said. briefly.
''Wel'. take any man, take yourself
for instance"
Mr. Street tried to speak in a care
less. theoretical tone.
''Since you insist on taking me as
an illustration" said MI. Ham mond.
with forced laugh, why should
think there was nothing else for
man TODD. If he hadn't nerve enough
to live it through, he'd better keep
out of it"
':But might not the memory of the
crime prey upon his mind till he felt
compelled to tell it to some one else."
persisted Mr. Street.
He'd be fool if he did," retorted
Mr.: Hammond.
And the cashier was stunned into
silence at the remorseless practically
of this bold adventurer.
A few minutes later Mr.: Street
took his leave, with a baffled sense
that Mr.. Hammond still had the
field.
But events were fastening to close,
independent of MI: Streets interven-
ton. One morning came the follow
ing dispatch: