Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-22


mounted upon and tumbled off, and she
had done both, her parent being away.
She had bruised and sprained her little
wrist, and was in the depths of despair.
"Ah," said poor Hope, Il was afraid
something or other would happen if /
left you"
He took her TO the window, and set
her on his knee. and comforted her. He
cut a narrow slip off his handkerchief,
wetted it, and bound it tightly and deft-
ly round her wrist, and poured consOla-
ton into her ear.
Then her father fed her with bread
and milk, and afterward laid her on the
bed, and asked her whether she loved
him.
Dearly, dearly" said she.
''Then If you do" said he, you will
go to sleep like a good girl, and not stir
off that bed till | come back"
mo more l will" said she.
However, he waited until she was in
an excellent condition for keeping her
promise, being fast as church.
Then he looked long at her beautiful
face. waX-like and even-tinted, but full
of life after her meal. and prayed to
Him who loved little children, and went
with beaCing heart to Mr.. Bartley's
Office.
But in the short time, little more than
an hour and half, which elaSped be-
tween Hopes first and second visit.
some most unexpected and remarkable
events took place.
BARLEY came in from his child's dying
bed, distracted with grief; but business
to him was the air he breathed, and he
went to work as usual, only in hurried
and bitter way unusual to him. He sent
out his clerk Bolton with some bills. and
told him sharply not to return without
the money; and whilst Bolton ,so-called,
war making his toilet in thelobby, his
eye fell on his other clerk, M0nckton.
MoncktOn was porting over the ledger
with his head down, the very picture OF
a faithful servant absorbed in his mas
ter'S work.
But appearances are deceitful. He
had a small book of his own nestled be-
tween the ledger and his stomach. 1t
was filled with hieroglyphics, and was
his own betting book. AS for his brown
study, that was caused by his owing
e100 in the ring, and not knowing how
to get it. To be sure, he could rob Mr..
Barley. He addone it again and again
by false accounts, and even by abStrac-
ton of coin, for he had false keystO his
employers safe, cash-bOX, drawers, and
U0oh. DuV III ilio oP1llIou Ho HdO play
ed this game often enough, and was
afraid to venture it again so soon and
on so large a scale.
He was SO absorbed in these thoughts
that he did not hear Mr.. BARLEY come
to him; to be sure, he came softly, be-
cause of the other clerk. who was wash
ing his hands anu brushing MS nar III
the lobby.
So Bartley's hand fell gently, but all
in moment, on Monckton's shoulder,
and they say the shoulder is a sensitive
part in conscious rogues. Anyway
Monckton started violently, and turned
from pale to white, and instinctively
clapped both hands over his betting
book.
''Monckton," said his employer, grave
ly, Il have made very ugly discovery
Periodical errors in the balances, and
the errors always against me-"
Moncl1ton began to perspire. Not
at last stammered out, Are you sure,
sir?"
quite sure. have long seen reason
to suspect it, so last night I went
through all the books, and now / am
sure. Whoever the villain is Twill send
him to prison if [ can only catch him.
And you must help me-"
Then Monckton's eyes turned this way
and that in manner that is common
among thieves, and a sardonic smile
curled his pale thin lip, and said, at is
my duty. But how?"
why, suspect everybody, and watch
them. Now there's this clerk Bolton: |
know nothing about him; | was taken
II will, sir" said MOncktOn, eagerly.
He drew long breath of relief. For all
that, he was glad when voice in the
little office announced visitor.
A tall, stiff military figure literally
marched into the middle of the office,
and there stood like q sentinel.
Mr.. BARLEY could hardly believe his
senses.
Colonel Clifford" said he, roughly.
you are surprised to see me here?"
"Of course l am. May / ask what
brings your"
"That which composes all quarrels
and squares all accounts-Death."
Colonel Clifford said this solemnly,
and with less asperlty. He added, with
glance at Monckton, "this is very
private matter"
BARLEY took the hint, and asked
MoncktOn to retire into the inner Office
AS soon as he and Colonel Clifford
were alone, that warrior, still standing
straight as dart, delivered himself of
certain short sentences, each of which
seemed to be propelled, or indeed jerked
out of him, by some foreign power seat
ed in his breast.
"My sister, your injured wife, is no
more"
"Deadl This is very sudden. 1 am
very, very SOrry. /"
"She leaves you 100000 in trust for
the benefit of her child and yours Mary
Barley"
Poor, dear Eliza"
The Colonel looked as less high-bred
people do when they say Cannon"
but proceeded civilly though brusquelY.
"In dealing with the funds you have
large discretion. Should the girl die
before you, or unmarried, the money
lapses to your nephew, my son, Walter,
Clifford. He is a Scapegrace, and has
run away from me, but l must protect
his just interests. SO as a mere matter
Of form / will ask you whether Mary
BARLEY is alive"
BARLEY bowed his head.
Colonel Clifford had not heard she was
i'll, SO he continued: I'm that case"-and
then, interrupting himself for moment,
turned away to Bartley's private table,
and there emptied his pockets of GER
tain documents, one of which he want
ed to select. He then turned and step
ped toward BARLEY with the document
he had selected at the table. BARLEY went
to meet him.
The,Colonel gave it to him and said it
was copy of the will.
BARLEY took it, and Colonel Clifford
expelled his last sentences.
ave have shaken hands. Let us for
get our past quarrels, and respect the
wishes Of the dead"
With that he turned sharply on both