Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-07-12
CHAPTER VIII.


As may be supposed, there was a good deal
of excitement over the discovery of this
fact regarding the stolen money, and the bold
use TO which it had been put; and, strangely
enough, one person who took a great inter-
est in the matter was Althea Everleigh.
She had reason for so doing, since two of
her friends We're connected with that rob-
berry in different ways.
Miss Everleigh read the papers, and
knew what all the world knew of Lyman
Childer's loss, and the lowering cloud which
threatened Norris Bergman's fair fame
for the papers had not been slow to intimate
that there had been reasons beyond those
given for his discharge by the express
company.
The interest which she had always felt in
that friend of her childhood revived after
her party night, and when she saw him on
the sidewalk one day as she was taking her
afternoon drive, a week or so later, she
spoke to the eoachman, who drew up close
to the curb, while she leaned out and beck
oned TO him.
s'You have been very rerliss, sir, in neg
iecting to pay me party call, but it seems
that may as well get into the habit of for
giving you. If you are not busy. let me
give you turn on the avenue. Now, don't
refuse, Norris, for really want to talk to
YOU
To refuse after that would have been I'M
gracious; and besides, Norris felt that the
diversion of a drive in that pleasant COM
pany would really do him good.
For the last week he had been worried,
nettled aid thoroughly perplexed. To have
one of those ro5.ers safely caught, and
then to ies hiDa 50 again. was in itself
enough to yex hin, and he was less clear in
his mind after that circumstance about
some things which he had settled for him
self before.
He had convinced himself that Hiram
1ngot was the purloiner of Lyman Childer' 3
package-a package which the latter now
declared of comparatively no accountant
here was one of the other party attempting
to commit second robbery in Lyman
Childer's house. Had the first attempt,
then, fallen short of it's objecta Was there
an understanding between the thieves
whose projects had seemed separate and
distinct!
In addition to the mental disquiet and the
bruises he carried, he had taken a cold
which confined him for several days to his
lodgings, and he had grown morbid and
low spirited to degree quite unknown to
him usually.
Miss Everlelgh's quick eyes noticed the
difference, though she did not openly re-
mark it.
ssPapa is much better, thank you,n she
answered his question. 81 think now that
it was more mental than physical trouble
with him. He is not so fit for the worries
of business as he once was, therefore / Am
glad to tell you that he is about taking liz >
younger partner. He has a great deal o.
confidence in Mr.. Childer's abilities, and
says that young blood will put new energy
into the business, (which has been tagging of
late.''
Lyman Childer, do you nean."
ayes, the present cashier. He has come
into money lately, which he is putting in.
Norris, do you know, 1 have just learned
that the money was dreddJuliy needed Pa
pa has confessed to me that he is very much
embarrassed, but this will make him all
right never could have forgiven myself
tiff he had failed or any thing of that
sort"
There is nothing to blame yourself for,
Althea You did not suspect"
ssNo, but have been very cxtravagant
and very thoughtless. intend to mend my
WAYS from this time out. / have set about
learning housekeeping already. Come and
take dinner with us tomorrow, and tell me
what you think of my progress. Mr.. Chill
der and his sister are to be there"
There was both bitter and sweet in her
information for Norris. The barrier was
there between Carol and himself; here was