Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-04-25
With that exception he never lost

j sight of it.
The porter returned to say that Mr..
Seeiey was not expected home until
MONDAY morning; and the man ex.
planned that the cashier called thai
evening for something he forgot in his
desk, and sent him on an errand which
occupied perhaps ten minutes
| There hardly remained a doubt thai
the two clerks were the culprits; and
Mr.. Grubb at once placed the matter
in the hands of the police.
| Frank jackson long lay awake thai
| night, wondering whether the events
of the past few hours would bring him
promotions; and, if so, what effect il
would have on certain cherished
scheme of his.
Six or eight months before he had
met. at picnic. Mary Grubb. the
junior partners daughter, fair, win
some little thing, with dimpled cheeks
and eyes soft as those of fawn. She
had just returned from school; and
before Frank knew who she was. he ad-
mired her. Upon learning that she
was Mr.. Ebenezer's only child. he was
keenly disappointed, for the daughter
of the wealthy banker was, he feared,
beyond his reach. In spite of this, his
attentions were not diminished; and,
before the day was at an end, he
adored her. She received his little
services with marked favor, he
thought; and even sober reflection
could not prevent him from entertain
ing hopes which any one but a lover
would have considered wild. His
thoughts few from her to the robbery
and back again. until sleep deserted
him and his brain grew dizzy. - s.
Suddenly a thought flashed through
his mind, and, in the midst of the dark
room, on the walls. on the ceiling,
there appeared before him, as in let
tiers of fire, a remark of Seeley's, ut
tered months before.
Some of the clerks were discussing
the arrest, of a dishonest bank clerk,
and Seeley said, laughingly: eff fell
lows will do that kind of thing they
ought at least to show some common
sense in their method of escape. If
he had gone to some quiet seaport,
hired or. bought yacht. and sailed
quietly of, he would now be enjoying
himself in safety
2 The tone, the cynical laugh, rang in
Franks ears, and it occurred to him
that Seeley would probably adopt
some such course. Twenty miles
away, on branch line, stood North
port, yachting center, and Williams
might easily, on the previous day, have
arranged for their flight.
Early on Sunday morning he called
on Mr.. Grubb to inform him of this
idea, which, by being dwelt upon, had
become a conviction. As Frank en-
tered the bankers study Mary left it,
her face pale and her eyes red, and
Mr.. Ebenezer himself sat hstlessly in
an easy chair, looking haggard.
"Above ALL" said the latter, when
jackson had finished what he went
there to say, ''silence about this
wretched affair is necessary for the
present. I do not mind telling you
that it has occurred at a rather unfort-
innate moment, as we shall be obliged
heavy price for it; and if the story of
the robbery leaks out prematurely we
may be ruined.'' =
After q short silence, Mr.. Grub
Perhaps you would not mind rum
ming over to Northport yourself and
making inquiries. I have faith in
your shrewdness. and shall give you
letter to an old friend of ours, a magis-
trate there, who will help you if neces-
sary. Here is some money. and re-
member, my lad, that time is of vital
Importance"
The trust made Frank color with
pride. His first hope was that fortune
might make him instrumental in saw
ing his employers, from disaster; but
he may be pardoned if there also en-
tered into his mind a wish to earn a
smile from Mary, as well as her ia
Tiers gratitude.
A few inquiries among the North
port police and the loungers on the
beach satisfied him that his surmises
were correct. Some days before two
gentlemen. whose description Tailed
with that of the runaways, bought a
small schooner-yacht from local
builder. The crew were ordered to
hold them selves in readiness. stores
were shipped and the new owners ar
rived by the last train on the previous
night. They met the seller on board,
paid the purchase money and at once
sailed-for a months cruise, they said.
II have an urgent message for
them" said Frank to an old salt.
''Would it be possible to get a fast
steamer here and overtake them ?"
"Well. sir, eff ZEE could borry that
thur craft" point ting to a small, rah-
ish-looking steamer. whose brass fit
tings cleaned in the morning sun,
yes They must "a gone south;
and her'll go nigh on to twenty knots
an hour"
Frank looked longingly at the YES
sci; and upon hearing the name of the
owner, his heart bounded. It was the
person to whom Mr.. Grubb's letter was
addressed.
II fear yours is a wild-goose chase, !"
said that gentleman, when the young
clerk had told his story and explained
his wishes However, the Grubbs
orc door old frionds and the sT.Orna,