The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-31
said, 'and now I will 60 and get some

said, and now l Will 60 ana get some
thing to eat"
Stop! stop, Eugene, called Raymond,
as his friend was hurylng away; you
must breakfast here; if you don't, Meta
and will never forgive you. Besides, 1
want to ask you a question. What makes
you look SO deathly pale?"
No matter" said Eugene, hastily;
| then, in another tone: -.
See here, Rsy, III eat with you II
you'll only hurry through your meal and
| let me alone. What I want, above all
things now, is to see you straight with
the bank. Do you understand"
"Of course, OF course; but tell me-
Not word until lunch time, then I'll
tell you everything" ..
Well, you hard-hearted wretch, II
that's your ultimatum, come along" and
he led the way up to the sitting-room,
| where his sister soon joined them.
Meta Fielding was sweet, innocent
little thing, of but o tliae more than
eighteen years-a girl that any man
might be proud to call wife or sister.
From the first time her brother had
brought Eugene to their home he had in
terested her greatly. and. truth to say. the
young man felt warm regard for her; In
so much, indeed, that he had fallen into
the habit of spending at least half his
evenings in the apartments of his friend.
Breakfast did not detsin them long this
morning, and after it was over, they bid
the sweet little housekeeper i-by, and
hastened down town.
Eugene did not accompany his friend
when he went to carry out the mission
intrusted to him BY the president the day
before; but he knew he had succeeded
when he saw his cheerful face as he en-
tered the bank, and went to his desk
about half On hour after the president ar
rived.
That morning Raymond Fielding work
ed with happy heart; but, from time to
time, az he glanced toward the assistant
book-keePer, he was troubled to see
settled look Of gloom upon his brow.
~What can possibly be the matter with
himp" he asked of himself for the hun
dredth time. We'll. shall find out at
one o'clock. He Will tell me everything
then, so I must have patience and wait.
But he was to know something about
it even before that hour.
1t was little past twelve. when. on
casually looking up, he saw Mr. Elllston,
Eueene's uncle, enter the bank. It was
not board day, and he was therefore
somewhat surprised to see him there.
The great man did not stop 10 the bank,
ing room, but passed through to the
Presidents private apartment, where
qualter Of an hour later, Eugene was re-
quested to present himself.
He obeyed d the summons at once, but
was scarcely absent ten minutes. When
be reappeared his face was deathly pale,
and there was stern, set expression
about his features they had never worn
before.
Raymond was greatly alarmed, and
would have sprung to his side, but
Eugene made hurried gesture to deter
him, and passing close by his desk, he
rapidly whispered:
Don't look up; don't move. It's best
you shouldn't appear over-friendly with
me. I've been discharged, and am going
at once. Come to Gibbs lunch-room at
one o'clock. I'll be there, and tell you
all about it. God bless you, old fellow!"
And he passed on to his desk.
Briefly he explained to the head book
keeper, giving him no idea, however, OF
the actual facts; and before one o'clock
he had turned over his books, received
what WAS due him. and had left the bank.
He went directly to the lunch-room,
where he knew the other employees of the
bank were hardly likely to come; and
having selected table in remote cor
ner prepared to wait for his friend.
Raymond did not keep him long wait
inq. Soon he entered the spacious
room, and catching glimpse of him in
the far corner hastened to b side.
sit down" said the discharged book
keeper; and as the other took his seat,
what will you have?"
oh, anything, exclaimed Ray, impa-
tiently; 1T doesn't matter. But, I say, be
quick, and tell me all about it.
Having given his order to the waiter,
Eug. ce did tell him all; in fact, omittine
very little indeed.
When he had fin shed, Raymonds face
was almost as pale as his had been when
he came from the Presidents room less
than an hour before.
And all this has been brought about
through my consummate carelsssneSs,"
muttered Raymon ], regretf9'ly.
NO, no, my dear fellow" exclaimed
Eugene, hastily: you shall not take
blame upon yourself that Goes not be-
long to you. tell you this would have
happened some time anyway; the thing
had OF to come. 1t was inevitable"
You are going to be at home tonight
asked Ray, abruptly, after long pause.
YES"
iii call on You then"
WHAT Shant see you before-that
is, directly after banking hours?"
mo; shall be engaged then"
"Oh, very we'll; and as I see your times
up, aa6 as I have little matter Of my
own en- hand, I'll leave you for the pres
ent:" ana SO they parted.