Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-11-20

tOIle III stop pd9ihcht oi tHeH N--N-- 49,
see me. and, ii possible, detain the person
who presents them
Half an hour afterward the captain was
back in his office, and there, true to his APP
continent, was Lieut. Noel.
II have had a strange and unpleasant
experience, Noel" said Lane Most of my
naners have been faulty made out. My
clerk deserted last night and has turned
out TO be most expert forger- de has
stolen half a dozen checks from my book,
made them out 60 the order of various par
ties, forged the Endorsements himself, got
themoney yesterday afternoon, and cleared
out. no one knows where"
Great Scott old mani that is hard luckl
How much has he let you in fors" asked
Noel in the slang OF the period
"Only $l6O. fortunately: and have made
that good this morning-placed my own
check to the credit Of the recruiting fund
in the Frs National bank, so that in
turning over the funds to you there will be
no loss We have TO make new papers for
the clothing account; but as quickly as
possible will have them ready for your
signature and mine
"There is no hurry whatever, old fell
low answered Noel. cheerily. I've come
back from the regiment little short OF
money, and | want to have n nest egg in
the bank TO begin with. It's good thing
to have a fat cousin, isn't it, He has al
ways been very liberal and kind to me,
and. luckily. I've only drawn on him twice
SO I'll hurry along
Five minutes after Noel left district
messenger entered aiJh note for Capt
Lane. 1t was addressed 10 him in the
handwriting Of Mr.. Vincent. lie opened
it with trembling hand. IL contained
merely these words:
81 am Obliged to leave for New York this
afternoon Can YOU come to my Office at
o'clocl.y We can then talk without in
terruption. aud much desire to see you.
II l.. w
As the big bell on the city hall had struck
Capt. Lane appeared at the Office Of Vim
cent, Clark &; Co., and was shown without
delay into the private room Of the senior
partner Mr. Vincent. looking even older
and grayer in the wan light at the rear OF
the massive building, was seated at his
desk and busily occupied with book Of
memoranda and figures. He pushed back
his chair and came forward at once at sight
of Lane, and motioned to the clerk to re-
tire. The cavalryman's heart was beating
harder than he had any recollection Of its
ever doing before. except in her presence,
and he felt that his knees were trembling.
But the old gentleman's greeting gave him
instant hope.
II am glad you have come, my dear sir.
am glad to know a man who was taught
as was taught. Young people nowadays
seem to rush into matrimony without the
4. - fbair NIL
your letter was a surprise to ne--a sur
prise that Is in the fact that you should
have sought my permission Gt all
take this chair, captain, he continued
as he returned to his desk Il have much
10 say to you, he added. with a sigh.
~ ct me say at once that from what
know and have heard of you there is no
man of my acquaintance TO whom could
intrust my daughters future with more
implicit confidence. It is true that both
her mother and had at one time other
hopes and views for her, and that we wish
your profession was not that Of arms.
Aud now beg you 20 be patient with me.
and pardon my abiding 20 matters which
YOU yourself breach in ths-tlis most
manful letter You tell me that yoa are
not dependent on your pay alone, but that
from investments in real estate IN grow
ing cities 10 :he west and in mines in New
Mexico your present income is some $1,000 |
AS understand you. the property is stead
lily increasing in valae."
at has steadily increased tlius far, sir |
and Think il viii continueto doso FOR sev
eral years TO come--in real estate invest
ments at lcest
Il am glad 81 this, on yonr account as
we'll as hers. for Mabel has been reared in
luxury She has never known !
what It was to want anything very much |
or very long She he's been educated on
the supposition taat her whole life would
be equally free from care or stint; and II !
were to lie tomorrow. sir, She would be a |
beggar"
And here. in great agitation, the old /
gentleman rose from his chair and began |
nervously pacing up and down the little |
room, wrinying his white, tremulous hands |
and turning bis face away from the silent |
soldier that lie aig.t not see the tears
that hung 70 the lishes or the piteous |
Quiyering OF the sensitive lips For mo
ment or two nothing more was said. Then, !
as though in surprise, Mr.. Vincent stopped |
short
did You understand me, Capt. Lane, | |
do not cxagyerate the situation ia the least |
| do not know how soon the AK will fall |
We are safe for today, but know not what |
the morrow may bring forth. | may be |
met en- route by kilograms saying that the |
Journey is useless-that we are fuined-and |
the money hope to get in New York to
tide us over would only come too late. |
Next month at this time the home in which |
Mabel was born and reared may he sold |
over her head, with every scrap and atom |
Of its furniture, and we be driven into |
exile Do you realize this, sirs Do you |
I'm erstand that if you win her affection |
and she becomes your wife l have not one
penny with which to bless herr"
"Mr Vincent" answered Lane, 81 !
would hold myself richer than any man in |
this world if | could know that your |
daughter cared for me and would be my |
wife. Do not think that fail 10 sympa- |
thize and feel for YOU and all who are dear |
to you in your distress and anxiety. but ! |
am almost glad To hear that she is not the /
heiress people said she was 1t is Mabel ] |
want'-and here his voice trembled almost |
as much as the old mans, and his honest |
gray eyes iilled UP with tears he could not |
down-'and with her for my own could |