Evening journal., 1892-11-03

idiots in matters of business. ITO
night? Why, Mrs. Bartels, it would be
a pleasure to oblige you, but you know
that banking hours ended at three
o'clock, and the cash was in the safe and
the time lock on before five."
"Of course l knew that this was not
the proper time for business" 4" sweetly
apologetic, her smile seductively win
ming; "but thought perhaps you might
manage it for me some way, and felt
sure you would if you could"
"Why, certainly, of course" cried the
little man, with an eagerness that sur
prised himself. While beautiful eyes
were beaming with such tender conf
dence upon him, it was not in human ma
ture to willfully spoil a good impression
And if fifteen or twenty dollars will do
you any good never carry much
money about me; pay all my bills with
cheeks; most sensible way in the world,
for then you always have your voucher
for a receipt if you happen to lose the
other-but if so much will answer your
purpose l can let you have it with pleas
ure. Otherwise | am afraid you will
have to wait until the bank opens in the
morning"
"But l wanted to take the early
train, dejectedly turning away.
"And twenty dollars won't do?"
al am afraid nOt-thanks. You will
excuse my troubling you, Mr.. Ingalls,;
and-good night" Her great disap-
pointment was very evident.
why, now think of it," exclaimed
the other, OBTAINING her, "a man just
down from the mountains came into tho
bank with deposit after we were about
closed up tonight, and
And banking hours only end at three
for those who would take money away,
and not for those who have it to leave"
playfully interrupting, her smile daz-
zling, her eyes Frightening again. Mr.. In
gals keeneyed wife would have detect
ed at a glance that all Mrs. Bartel's un-
usual sprightliness and charm of manner
was but acting Historically strained and
overdone; but Mr.. Ingalls, had never as
sumed to understand women since he
was married.
Precisely" accepting her little rail
that order of mind that generally works
at cross purposes i'll matters of humor.
He habitually missed the point of other
peoples Jokes, and when he essayed to
be funny himself it was like a small boy
struggling to whistle-nobody could ever
comprehend that the result attained was
at all commensurate to the effort in
volved. "And that money is lying loose
in the vault-something like $500, be-
lieve wonder l did not think Of it be-
fore. But now, if you would not mind
walking down to the bank, could cash
your check with pleasure, provided you
did not want more than that amount"
"Ah. how delightfully."- kind of youl"
with a hysterical little laugh, like a
child overexcited. do you know" &"
with a charming air Of confidence, as she
turned back with him down the street,
"you could hardly have imagined that
had left my fate in your hands, rs it
were. l came to you just as small boys
toss up pennies to decide what they
shall do. | said to myself, If / get the
money will go; if not, l will stay. Mr.
ingalls, shall decide it for me-.
"And / am very glad to settle it to
! please you" pausing abstractedly. But
if you will excuse me for a moment,
Mrs. Bartels, l think will just run
back and leave my gum shoes"
"Why, certainly, Mr.. Ingalls,. There
is plenty of time before the morning
train goes. Leave them sub hosa, by all
means with another mirthless laugh
that left ranking suspicion in Mr. In
gals mind, as he searched out a cache
for his property under the rose bushes
| Mrs Bartels was a charming woman
surprisingly jolly; but if she were dis
posed to poke fun at his gum shoes, he
must regard such levity as bad taste. to
say the least
There was close, stutfy smell about
the large, shadowy banking room. as the
heavy door was opened.
Darkness there, and nothing more, '"
quoted Anita, who, it seemed, must con-
tinually be talking 1T seems like a
church on a week day; does it noty
Yes; do you think so? Well, you
shall pass contribution plate, and make
It seem more like Sunday" beaming
with consciousness of his wit. How
much will You have? think if you will
sit at this desk by the window you will
have light enough to FL ont your check, -
methodically dating the paper for her
with rubber stamp, and pushing for
ward pens. ink and blotter.
Did you say that could have three
hundred dollars: would like about
that, please.
What the whole Of IT," with ami
able facetiousness, as he lighted a lamp.
Il 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 now 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, fidget-
ing in the large. leather covered chair
impatiently oppressed with the stiffness
which seemed an Inherent quality OF the
, heavy. vitiated atmosphere. A fly that