Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-08-27

posed to poke fun at his gum shoes, be
must regard such levity as bad taste. tc
say the least.
There was a close, stuffy smell about
the large, shadowy banking room, as the
heavy door was opened.
DARKNESS there, and nothing more.,r
quoted Anita, who, it seemed, must con
t~inually be talking. st seems like a
church on a week day; does it not?"
"Yes? do you think so? Well, YOU
shall pass a contribution plate, and make
it seem more like a Sunday beaming
with consciousness of his wit. How
much will You have? | think if you will
sit at this desk by the window you viii
have light enough to fill out your check, .
m~ethodically dating the paper for her
with a rubber stamp, and pushing for
ward pens, ink and a blotter.
did you say that could have three
hundred dollars? | would like about
that, please
"Wnati the whole of it," with ami
able righteousness. as he lighted a lamp.
q think you must be going into real
estate. Mrs. Bartels."
Il might, perhaps, to the extent of a
few feet, laughing at the grim humor
of her thought.
Perhaps you had better not put in the
figure until | see how much we have"
His lamp held in one hand, the cashier
slowly worked the combination of the
vault door in the far corner. Anita
~nervously thrummed on the desk, idget-
ing in the large, leather covered chair,
impatiently oppressed with the stiffness
which seemed an inherent quality of the
heavy, Initiated atmosphere. A fly that
had been languidly rubbing its hind legs
together on the window reused itself to
come buzzing teasingly around her
head; and a man who was passing in the
street slackened his pace to peer Curl
ously at her through the window. She
felt an insane longing to scream and bid
the man, now inside the vault, to hasten.
And when are you expecting your
husband backgr he carelessly asked,
when presently he emerged. a bunch of
bills in his hand.
Il don't know" listlessly watching
while he stood counting the bills at p
high desk.
Eyes, | think we a make it three
hundred, Mrs. Bartels," finishing his
count and beginning anew.
THANK you
Il presume he is having a large time.
but all the same | would hurry him
home were | you" with the comfortably
complacent air he wore when feeling
that he was about to get off a good
thing. There is nothing more democrat
izing than a trout stream, Mrs. Bartels.
1t seems as if a mar could not go fishing
and practice prohibition or tell the
truth. Oh, the Lorelei was nowhere
compared with the sirens that haunt our
Rocky mountain trout streams, to lure
mems moral natures to wreck and ruinl
Indeed | would hurry him away from
such dangerous environment, Mrs. Bar
tells"
Anita's face flushed scarlet. her biased
perception comprehending deeper mean
ing behind the carelessly uttered words,
while she burned with indignation. Even
a comparative stranger like this might
feel free to cast his stone Of advice at
her in her humiliation. And yet, soften
ing, no doubt he meant his hint kindly.
Il think | shall leave him to work out
his W salvation" with a sort Of sullen
constraint that struck the unconscious
Ingalls, with establishment and discom-
future. His complimentary opinion was
modified with the proviso that a joke
was wasted upon her.
"Well, perhaps he may save his soul
alive, but | wouldn't be too sure OF 1t,
laughingly letting himself down to bust
ness again. 81 think you will find this
all right, Mrs. Bartels." He briskly
stamped the check with a sharp click OF
the little instrument, pushed the heavy
vault door shut and blew out the light.
Il believe hat is all" he added as he
Joined her at the door.
"Yes, that is all" drearily. She had
a feeling that this was the last page OF
her life at Orodelphia, as If she were bid
ding it an eternal farewell. and she felt
a childish longing to take some hand IN
friendly clasp and say goodby. =" want
to thank you" she said gently. 1t wa
more than kind to give yourself so much
trouble, and the favor to me was greater
than you could readily understand
Thanks, and-adios!'
The bewildered banker. who had scarce
before met the lady with greeting more
familiar than the lifting Of his hat, was
fairly overcome with embarrassment at
the warmth of her hand clasp. the IN
scrutable expression Of her lingering
glance. He had never been known as a
ladies' man, ever at the apex OF ms
youthful gallantries. That IS a role
liable to prove expensive, at the ruling
rates Of flowers and bonbons, and the
thrifty man had been ever minded TO IN
vest his courtesies as well as capital
where most tangible returns might De
expected, He was not to be tempted
into foolishness by the wiles OF any
woman. but none the less. while MS
pulses pleasantly quickened, he was re-
minded that be had once been rather a !
taking fellow. he wondered if it would