Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-04-08


"That ward i'm chandlery of mine'-a ia
vorite name with him for O'Connor--
''wants to open bank account in his own
name. | suppose that girl is his new type
writer. Read that, handing me the let
ter the girl had brought. 1t was type
written throughout, signature and all, and
was characteristic
''Sr: l do be thinking would like to
have money in the bank. And if you
please which | mean no offence to you,
will you deposit same in the B. national
bank, South Boston, in the name of yours
with respect, NJ. OCONNOR"
As | finished reading the letter Mr. Cut
ter told the girl to tell Mr.. O'Connor that
the matter would be attended to. She
then went out, bushing slightly AS she
crossed the room Before long ] left
the office to make my deposits, not very
well pleased that | was obliged to take the
additional Journey to the bank in South
Boston
A / rode in the open horse-car a fresh
breeze was coming from the water and my
thin flannel coat was blown back, showing
the ends of O'Connor's bank-notes pro
truding from my breast-pocket. To avoid
any possibility of loss, | took them from
my coat and put them carefully in the in
ner pocket OF my waistcoat. l then be
came interested in a newspaper ! had
bought on the way, and before long was,
without knowing it, carried block or two
beyond my destination.
| was walking back when ! noticed a
man and girl standing near a doorway
ahead OF me, not far from the bank. The
girls figure seemed familiar, and as | drew
nearer | recognized her. She was O'Con-
nOrs typewriter
She and her companion were talking
earnestly while they anXously watched
the approach of the horse-car following
the one l had Just left. Every look, ev-
cry garment of the man bespoke the sharp
pr.
AS the car drew nearer he stepped back
into the doorway, and the girl after hur-
ried word of parting, walked quickly to
the entrance of the bank She stood
there. waiting, until the car had passed.
Meantime | had approached; when she
/ turned to 90 back to her companion she
/ came face to face with me.
She started violently and turned very
/ pale Her attempt to conceal her contus-
/ ion produced only a very forced smile,
which showed her a novice at dissimula-
| ton.
you? DO you remember me''
Yes. l replied; Il remember you per
fectly. on aie Mr.. O'Connor's type
writer With "A painfully strained little
laugh she said
''Yes-that is it-and Mr. O Common sent
me over here to meet YOU. He has changed
his mind about the money. He wants ii
to pay for some junk he has bought-and
and will you please give it to me?' She
held out her hand. and | saw that it was
trembling.
She had spoken breathlesSly, like q child
who has learned a message by heart. As
she finished ! instinctivey put my hand in
my breast-pOcket
While she was talking my mind had
been unConsciously recalling the appear
ance OF the man. their behavior, her evil
dent uneasiness at seeing me approach
from an unexpected direction. Now it oc
Cured to me that she could not have haC
time to 90 back to Q COnnor' since leayin-
our office But / asked no questions.
fumbied in one pocket after another, as
Stunning an expression OF great surprise
and finally said, with an ejaculation of eN
IRENE annoyance:
Il have come way over here for nothing
after all. You will have to 90 back witt
me. and | will give you the money at tn
Office
There was not trace of disbelief in he
face as she stared at me She was undo
cided. but not distrusttul. She locke,
anXiousy toward the doorway where sh
had left the man, glanced up and dow
the street, and after a moments hesitation
started with me toward passing car A
| followed her ] looked back over m
shoulder, but the man was not III sight
| said little TO her on our ride back t,
the city, and she seemed quite content q
be left to herself. Now and then | fel
that she was furtively CHANGING at my fac
while | pretended to read my paper
When We reached the office opened
the door and let her walk in ahead Of me
She crossed the room and took the sam
seat she had had, the one by the window
while ! went to Mr.. Cutter and quietly, il
few words, explained the situation
had barely finished speaking, when tn
door opened softly and O'Connor entered
He stood still and stared at the girl. Sh
paled III ans instant, and sat trembling, re
3 turning his stare
is your modther worse" asked O'Con
nor, after a moment, in hushed, kind
. voice. The girl shook her head, and nun
INJURED that she had not been TO see he
mother yet. She had rolled her handker
chief into ball, and was nervOusly pass
ing it from one hand TO the other
"O'ConnOr,' said Mr.. Cutter, ''have yol
decided whether you want that money de
posted or not?" O'Connor looked at hin
in mild surprise.
DO whatever you thinks the best wi,
it, Mr.. Cutter, he finally answered, sim
ply. Mr.. Cutter handed him the letter o
instructions about opening the bank &C
count
"Dd you write that letter, Michael9"
O'COnnor stared blankly at the letter