The state herald., 1893-03-17

"Ycs, Van3wtller has made he
will" replied I, ignoring his last
question. "Will you please give this
document TO Mr.. Brunson in the-er
that Is, when find it. Why!
surely put it in with these papers.
Where in the deuce can it be? Let
me see, now. I'll go over the pack
age again. No! My heavens, nun,
the will is not thero!"
!, 1t was even So Twiee went over
that packet Of locuments, and twice
failed to find the object OF my
search. My heart seemed to give
great drop, and violent th;obbing
began in my throat. knew l must
have turned pale, for Rollins came
forward and exclaimed
What are yon going to do about
itP" asked Rollins in very cold,
businesslike tone which went straight
through me.
-I-don't--know. Why
man do you realize what has happened
to mep"
II think do, fhurston," this with
sick.y smile. lyon have lost one
of Vantwillcr's IMPORTANT documents;
probably his one most So" He hesi-
tated u moment, looking steadily at
his finger nails. 'Of course he will
have to be notified of this, Thurston
at once. must send message TO
him."
ma, don't! Not yeti" interrupted,
speaking quickly and excitedly.
"Givc me one chance at least Brun-
son will be away until morning, and
Vantwiller Is out Of town. Give me
this afternoon nnd evening 10 hunt 1t
up Perhaps infer iii didn't put 1t
IN my pocket. but left 1t on the desk
II l don't find it--why then-well--I
suppose must take the consequences.
Say! old man. you'll grant me this,
won't you? 1t may save my rciuta-
ton"
"Well, will do as you say, but Ats
only for you that would do it. Go
back to your office, do what you can,
and report to me nv, Tonight |
viii be, whiting htrS Tor you After
that, II You cannot find it, of course
you know what must be done"
Somehow or other, got down into
the street, and back to my Office. As
i ran upstairs my manner must have
alarmed the office boy, for he followed
int into the room.
"Is anything the matter with Mr..
Ynn'wi,ler. sir?" he asked, advanc-
ing to my desk.
mo, nothing" answered, good
deal more sharply than was ncccs-
sary. At the same time showed hjro
out rathor unccremohiously, and
locked the door after him.
For two hours ! made most vigor-
Gus search for that missing document.
| ransacked tho closet, overturned
and pried into every nUok mid corner
Of my desk ana examined the top OF
my employers. The inside could
not see. it being locked In mo-
ment of Impotence and despair even
tipped up the waste basket and looked
through its contents. Failure met me
wherever | turned. Al 4 o'clock |
gave up the search. Going over to
the front window | sat down, or
rather dropped into chair NY
face was streaming with sweat, due
to my constant search and the situa-
tion in which was plated. was
completely "rattlcd." tried to
Think. but could not. Everything
went round and round. II was neccs-
sary for me to resort TO glass OF
brandy from the bankers cabinet.
After that | felt better. My mind
became calmer. and could face the
situation with "a little more equanim-
NY. ] glanced ut the clock. In u
very short time ! would have to re-
turn to Rollins, confess my defeat
and meet the punishment due me.
Thus ! sat. staring down into the
street, with my mind In no pleasant
mood can assure you. Suddenly |
saw n carriage coming down town.
| sprang up and locked more care
fully. Good Heavens. II was Want
willor's. II stopped ut Our door. the
banker descended. and entered the
building. My breath actually seemed
to leave my body. understood 1.
perfectly. Rollins, rcpen,ing OF his
action in allowing me moment In
which to discover the will. had mott
fled Vantwillcr Of It's loss. And here
the banker WIS now. on his way up
stairs. In one minute he would enter
the room, see me before him, and
knowing all. would either send me
out like dog, or have me arrested.
For an instant wild desire to bolt
came over me. But only for an In
slant. heard his slow step sound
Ing In the corridor outside. In ten
seconds the blow came. braccd
myself against my desk. drew four
deep broaths. and stood ready for
the vollcy. The door opened. Want
willcr came In. gazcd at me very
pleasantly, and said;
Why You here, Thurston;
thought YOU were going to larry
town this afternoon"
| felt as though some one had
struck me. My surprise was so great,
and the rovulslon Of feeling no ter.
riblc, that ! fairly staggered, Want
willcr saw II.
"Arc you III. sir'n said he. What's
tho matter with youp
mir. Nantwillcr," ! bluricd out,
II have lost your will"
Lost my VIII What do you mean.
sir9n
"Ycs. have lost IL, This morn.
Ing when you gave II 10 me. swcar
to you pu, 1t In my pocket with my
private papers When was abou,
TO give II To Brun-on's clerk. the"
A very queer look came Into Vnnt.
willcr's face. a- though he suddenly
comprehendod the situation. That
Will, sir. IL locked up In my desk.
That's Just what came back hero
for. to deliver II to Brunson mysclt'
''ln your dcrkPn ! mumblod. And
then the room grew dark. The
wlndnN. h.uuu IA Jun,, mud IA.