The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-05-21

corners, a check for one thousand pounds,
payable to ''self' or ''beafer and signed
beatrice Clauson," was handed across
the broad mahogany coun er to the spruce
cashier. To him. not being in county
society, Beatrice Clauson was hut name,
and aw0ke no emotions She might be
young or old, beautiful or ugly, so long as
her balance covered the amount OF the
check. But all the same, being young
man who could think, 1t struck him that
1t was very unusual for a lady to send a
thOusand-pound check to be simply cash
ed across the counter o before uttering
the usual compound word query Howl
you-hav'-it ?" or cash. gave the
presenter Of the check a comprehensive
but inoiensive glance All he learned
was that che was tall woman Of I'M
certain age, and was dressed in black.
There was nothing to tell him whether
she was self" or merely ''bearer."
He leaned across the counter and asked
her in the politest manner If she was Miss
| Clauson.
mo, sir, " replied the woman.
Asking her to wait one minute he left
his po and telling the clerk next to him
to keep his eye on the woman dived
through the glazed door at the back of
the bank through which such of the part
ners as chose could see that their money
making machine was going properly. He
showed the check and told his tale.
The Signature OH the check was COM
pared with Miss Clauson's standard
| signature, and of course, now that alarm
was raised, did not seem quite right. The
cashiers breast swelled. The partners
were smiling approvingly.
The ynun0 ratnrnaH n hto
ut is rule of the bank, - he said, 'when
cashing check like this for stranger,
to ask for reference. As he spoke he
fixed his eagle eye upon the woman.
III did not understand that" she said.
perhaps you had better step out and
speak to Miss Clauson."
This was a terrible shock: but there
was yet hope. The Miss Clauson out
side might be a confederate. AS Beatrice
had never been inside the bank, the
cashier could not be expected to identify
her. He reported progress to his chiefs
and was vexed to see the approving smile
fade from their faces.
Thereupon Mr. 5 step ems gray-haired
old gentleman of fine banking presence;
courteous; typical of the old school, Tory
to the backbone. as all bankers ought to
be, put on his hat and sauntered out Of
the bank door. Sure enough In four
wheeled cab sat Beatrice and her golden
haired boy. Mr.. Stephens with the deceit
sanctioned by commerce, If not by Chris
tlanlty. seemed surprised and overjoyed
to see Miss Clauson, and sauntere back
into the bank. He did not speak to the
cashier. but no doubt sign or token
passed between them, for without more
ado the young man asked Mrs. Miller
How l-y0u-hav' it,"
Mrs. Miller would have five hundred In
gold, and fl bank of England notes for
one hundred pounds ca Ii. The money
was counted I, but the operation lacked
lie cashiers usual spring and vivacity.
Mrs. M Her buttoned the notes inside her
dress. Then sic rejoined her mistress.
and the cab carried them t, Breakdown
railway stitlon, an | they booked to Pad
dingt H.
The train started. For a while Bea-
frice sat as one in reverie. Mrs. Miller
who held the boy watched her face. Bea-
trlce sig ed, looked up and met her COM
panlon S gaze.
HE will follow u.s. she said. She
trembled as she spoke.
"Yes, II he can find us. Poor dear If
he can do so he'll hunt you to DEATH
w a. ~ NutiC llO tdi Hllu us. 1neTH
we'll wait until he can trouble you nc
more, my sweet"
"Ah, when will that be?" sighed Bea-
trIce.
when he Is struck down. When my
prayers are answered. When you look
on hi, dc ad face, and know that you are
Free
'Hush. hush How can YOU dare to
pray for mans death? Even |, whom
he has so wronged. could not force my
lips to form that prayer"
ION, my dear. my dear, that Is differ
ent. \ on would be PRAYING for yourself.
GOD would not listen; ut pray only for
you. and he will"
ga an, be SILENT said Beatrice She
had always set her face sternly against
her ma DIS religious I'll ,hts. But Mrs.
Miller element had now reached a
pitch which resisted even Beatrice com |
mands.
See she said In thrilling tones,
winch MADE even the child open his eyes
In wonderment, last II ght a sign came
TO me, dream. l looked down from
somewhere and saw myself as | must be,
rs 1t was fixed | should he before the
world begin, where the worm dieth not
my poor Sarah, lie calm"
Where the fire is not quenched. | |
saw myself, and saw him. He was
lose at han oh, God means to strike,
and soon, very SON."
Her voice had such Intensity. her eyes
such Wild look in them, that little Harry,
who had wat he'd her in that spell-bound |
manner common to reflective children.
came to the conclusion that som, tn ng
was wrong, and set up lu,ty roar.
see, said Eeatrice, repr achfully, |
you have frightened the chill"
The woman grew calm at once. The |
Dla'e OF fanatcism faded from her face,
ana she was once more the attentive
nurse and faithful servant The train |
hurr ed Them onward on their fight.
Flight. Yes, 1t was flight. Hervey's |
threat had strick home. 1t had carried |
Reatrice never doubted his |
assertion that although 1t might be i'm
possible for him to force her to come to |
his side, he could legally take the bow !
rom her. She determined to fly, leave |
no trace, hide for while, and let the |
nan In her absence do his worst. If he
old her friends the tale of the marriage |
{ would a least save her the pain of SO !
10 ng. She had not yet settled whittier
o go, but she meant tonight to be out of
England.
The little boy. as was usual when he
appeared In public, had attracted much
Ittention whilst they waited on the Black
own platform. Pleasing as such admi.
alton must have been to Beatrice. 1t
cemcd to trouble Mrs. Miller. As the
rain resumed its course she turned TO
'eatrice II: must be done, my dear 1t
must be done"
Beatrice who now had the boy, Rugged
I'm tightly. "a won tt can't do it."
lie said.
I'VE Shall be traced all over the world