Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-02-21

One other person besides Hiram lngot
had taken note of young Berginan's pres
ence, and felt IN Il measure aggricvcd by
it. This was Lyman Childer. and it is safe
to say that jealousy WAS at the bottom OF
his sentiments, for Miss Eycrleigh had
given him only such smiles as she had for
all her guests, while thai upstart of an ex-
messenger had claimed her attention for a
full half hour, and left her brighter than he
had ever seen herewith that soft light on
her rather cold, rather naughty face.
He did not turn to her, however, when
his chance came. He got his eyes on the
disconSolate figure of the banker, and fol-
lowed him into L sid room which was not
open to the guests. Fancylng himself
alone, the elder man had dropped his mask.
He looked Old, and gray. and miserable,
shrinking as 1t seemed before that impend-
ing blow from cruel fortune: but a flush of
indignation mantled his cheek as he faced
about when his name was spoken.
"Oh, you, Childer! You made a mistake
in the room, l suppose. All old fellow like
me wants to get out of that crowd for a
little quiet
sPardon me, Mr.. Everleigh, saw you
come in here and followed 10 S peak 10 your
"You-you haven't any bad news:1
'Nothing of the kind, unless it is bad news
u say tItj L hllON sSliltLLllbS VI GLlS NAEIEul-
ties whish are around you"
He broke off, hesitating. as if in search
for words with which to express himself.
The banker leaned toward him, in the hun-
griness for sympathy which u man feels
who has held himself forcibly aloof from it.
1sDo you know that those people are blam-
ing me for this affair tonight? They say l
am cheating my creditors by Just SO much.
Isuppose it is the truth, but l was deter
mined she should have this last birthday,
unclouded, to remember, after"
SIS it really so bad as all that, Mr. Ever
leigh?'
T-he.gray-haired man struggled with the
emotion which was choking him.
siUnless some miracle ~interveueS, l shall
60 to the wall within u week. EdsOn's en-
bezzIement of a year ago was what shook
me first, and there has been a terrible
~shrinkage in value since If l had been an
INSCRIPTIONS man 1 might have recovered
part, hut''-here his head lifted-'though /
am ruined myself, no other man shall be
wronged by me"
sin that case, it would not require 4 very
largo sum to tide you over, would it!"
"Less than that thieying cashier took
with him when he a~bsconded- I've hoped
to the last that he might be discovered, and
compelled to disgorgc vain hope. Ifeel
like eursing him and my blindness; but that
don't help matters"
AZ have a hope that fmay. My sister and
Ihave lately fallen heir to quite a little fort
une, left to us by an unale IN the far West.
Il is in available form. and Carols share is
placed unreservedly in my trust pending
her majority. can place a hundred thou
sand dollars In your hands in Il few days
time, If that will De sufficient to carry you
over"
'It IL more than enough,' cried Mr..
Everleigh, in a quick reVulsi0n from despair
70 happiness, seIzing and wringing the
hands of his cashier till the latter WINGED.
"Beieve me, Childer, | would never take
advantage of your most generous offer if
bad any doubt of the result, and / will sec
that you arc secured before | make use of u
dollar. What a fortunate legacy! How
grateful I am-to you and to Heaven.''
Those guests who were supposed to be
knowing ones looked at each other in aston,
ishment when Mr.. Everleigh appeared
among them again after a short interval
BE had got rid of his harassed looks; he
was quite the genial, watchful host-a roll
which he had not performed to perfection
In the earlier part of the evening.
But for a man who had just o an IN
cailed-for, generous act, Lyman Childer die
not seem to nave derived the spiritual COM
fort which might have been expected from
it. He took an early opportunity to with
draw his sister from the gay scene, after
acknowledging the pleasure which tht
evening had given him to Miss Everlelgh.