Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-05-19

hand. Only he knew that-he and one
other
"Ah yes my memory must be fail
iugu little. YES, OF course. Mr.
Leonard forced "a short, harsh laugh.
II recall II now-yes, yes-periectiy.
1t is all right, good day, good day.
perfectly indeed.
4 Young clerk, with his slim legs
twisted among the rounds of high
stool, watched the stately old man, Us
he made his way out When the heavy
door swung together, he dipped his
pen in the ink again but paused before
he used it, to say with II shrewd,
malicious grin:
Guess Beau Brummel lie Roy
might help him to remember 1t bet
ter
$50 on with Your books, sir?"
The cashier spoke in quick, stern
voice, which admitted of no rctort or
disobedicnce Silence ensucd, except
for the scratching OF the pens.
Mr.. Leonnrd's faltcring steps carried
him homeward unwittingly and he
sank into his deep chair before the
library fire, conscious of II desire to
think il all over and corresponding
dread of the same Perhaps 1T might
not be long before he ceased thinking
altogether He felt that he had grown
to he an old, old man in the lust few
hours.
How brightly the fire was burning.
The great library looked unusually
neat and wen appointed. He re-
mrmbcrcd that 1t had lately
been cleaned and renovated. He
hoped TINT Harry had ml-lnid none
OF his books or papers. All. papers
tie must begin to think no" about that
paper he had seen ut the bank. When
lie had warmed his hloodless hands
wei. then he would think about 1t.
Since lie Roy had entered upon his
professional career, rather and son had
rarely met during the day, but they
/ had by mutual, though tacit, agree
ment taken up the old habit Of dining
together almost regularly; notwith-
standing the demands Of society upon
the time of each Tonight, Mr..
Leonard reasoned, /" Roy would
probably not come home Or perhaps
he was not aware OF the fact that the
check had been shown to his father. 1t
would be better to Wait III that case
until he did know. It would also
afford Mr. Leonard NOR, time to think
the matter over.
he stepped To- II window to lower a
shade, whore the sun hlulcd III too
gnrlngly III it, red setting light
Down the avenue he saw lie Roy com
Ing home
The father stood there watching his
son, rs he had done Il thousand times
before. lie Roy hai grown into tn.
hahit Of expecting HIM th"rc, and now
mst H. he had always done, Ii"
,nntchrd off his hat and waved 1t boy
l,hly over his head The Hon Amos
Leonard nodded hi, white head AMI
then laughed nloud at the mockcry @!
It. He does not know YETI he
udspd. 81 shall have more time TO
think.
He was waiting in the library when
lie Roy came down stars dressed for
dinner. He sat down 10y his father
and read the evening papers until III,
meal was announced.
Then he arose, and just rs h. had
done ever since he grew To- his father :
height, offered his strong young arm
and led his fnther to ms place at the
head Of the table.
The evening dinner had always been
n happy one TO those two old friends
when they diucd alone together. So
il was Tonight There were no guests
lie Roy's bright talk cherred the lonely
home and his father joined iii 1t with
more than usual viyacity. 1t was 70
time to think while "thc boy was
present.
After dinner came game of chess,
and thnt finished, lie Roy got ont his
guitar and accompanied his rich, sweet
baritone III the ballads his father loved
to hear
Usually after this, lie Roy went ont
some where. Occasionally the Hon.
Amos Leonard went with him, but to-
night neither seemed inclined to leave
the luxury of home. Not until til,
great hall clock chimed the hour OF
midnight did lie Roy rise and bid
goodnight to his father in the old,
boyish and unusual, perhaps, but in,
tinitely sweet to the old nun, who Ind
no one else to bid him goodnight in
any way.
After that it was too late to think.
'ro-morrow, said Amos Leonard to
himself, che will know and he will not
come.