Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-08-03
A TERRIBLE MISTAKE


How mauy times John Jones had
read this note he could hardly have
told. "Reasons with which l trust
you are acquainted" He, the cash
ier of the DrOver's Bank, dismissed
for reasons with which he was ac-
Qualnted. What did he mean
What were the reasons, and why
1 was he supposed to be acquainted
with themi These we're some OF
the questions which he was putting
TO hlmselt as he sat IN his room al
most stnpeded.
He did not fear inability to pro-
cure another situation. John Jones
was too well known and had been
too faithful in his services at his
bank to fear that; but why was he
dismissed ?
Well, he couldn't find out until
the next day, unless, to be sure, he
called upon Mr.. Knicker at his
home, and that John couldn't do
in the state OF mind he was in just
then.
The feeling of injured innocence
is not altogether unpleasant after
all, and john finally dispersed the
constantly recurring questions, and
prepared to 60 and see Beth, his
Beth, and together they wonld talk
over the matter, and he would de-
eide what to do.
John Jones had been sick all
day. A blind headache had begun
to bother him before he had left the
bank the day before, and had grown
constantly worse all that night un-
til when morning came he was una
BILE to 60 to his business. The head
ache was forgotten now; occasion
ally a throb of pain would make
him vince physically, but his
thoughts were too thoroughly oc-
cupied with that unaccountable
note to realize the pain.
He soon left the house and de-
cided to walk up Chestnut street
and thence to see Beth. lie saw
no one, did not even feel the exer-
ton of walking until he brought
up with a bang against q gentle
men who was going in the opposite
direction. He mechanically apollo
4 gized and started on, but soon did
the same thing again, and saw be
was unable to think about the pres
ent even enough to dodge his tel-
low pedestrians. He called cab
and gave the driver orders to take
him to Beth's home. Before he re
allied that theyhad started he was
aroused by the sudden pulling up
of the vehicle, and the man clam
ering down from his seat, opened
the door and stood waiting for him
to get ont. He did so and started
up to ring the bill, when the driver
called after him. He had forgot
ten the mans fee. He paid him
and thehipnlled, the bell. rgf
The door opened and he passed
in, not speaking to the servants
who admitted him. He seated him
self and didn't move for three OF
four minutes. This time it was the
servant who aroused him.
!, "Who do you wish to see, sir Y
John then noticed for the first
time that he had never seen the
man before. He turned on him,
and the man started back and
asked him if he we're i'll, John
paid no attention to his question,
but told him to tell Miss Hughes
that Mr.. Jones was in the psrlor.
Then he settled into his position
and did not move again until Mr..
Hughes entered and SAID:
"Well, sir 7"
John looked up and asked for
Beth.
"My daughter is engaged at pres
ent," said Mr.. Hughes.
Beth engaged when he, her be-
trothed husband, was waiting to
see herr That was strange he
couldn't understand it. But he
said: every well, / will wait"
"Miss Hughes viii be unable to
see you this evening and requested
me to give you this package. lam
sorry, Mr.. Jones, but | must beg
you to discontinue your calls"
Great Godl What did it mean
John was thoroughly, painfully
wide awake now, and sprang tc
his feet.
"Bertha can't see me, and yOu
ask me to discontinue my visits
Please tell me why.p
He was now standing perfectly
straight and gazing composedly 5u'
intentIy at Mr.. Hughes.
81 trust that you understand thu
reasons, Mr.. Jones, as well as | do,
said Mr.. Hughes with a peculiar
look.
Almost the identical word
Knicker had used in his note.--
John turned without a word anC
left tae house. He did not put OF
hio ovarooaf olfhouOb tho ni0h