The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1893-03-10

/
may save my reputation"
lie looked az me fully a minute after
had finished knew that ] was
trembling aud that anxiety and fear
were stamped ON my face. Ned Rollins
and had always been great friends.
We had long ago promised 10 aid each
other in times OF trouble. Perhaps IL
was the helpless way looked at him
which made him remember that
promise.
"Well, I'll do rs you say, but IT'S
only for you that | would do It. Go
back TO your office, do what you can,
and report to me by seven tonight. |
will be- waiting here for you. After
that. IL you cannot find il, of course you
know what must be done"
Somehow or other, | got down into
the street, and back 20 my Office. AS |
ran upstairs my manner must have
alarmed the office boy, for he followed
me into the room.
as anything the matter with Mr..
Vantwiller, sir?" he asked, advancing
to my desk
mo, nothing" | answered, n good
y
At the same time | showed him out
rather unceremoniously, and locked
the door after him.
For two hours | made most vigor-
Gus search for that missing document.
l ransaclled the closet, overturned and
pried into every nook and corner of my
desk and examined the top of my en-
ployer's. The inside | could not see, 10
being locked. In moment of impa-
thence and despair, even tipped up the
waste basket and looked through its
contents. Failure met me wherever
turned. At four o'clock / gave up the
search. Going over To the front win
dow, sat down, or rather dropped
into q chair. My face was streaming
with sweat, due to my constant search
and the situation in which | was
placed. was completely ratified"
tried 10 think, but could not Every
thing went round and round. Ii was
necessary for me TO resort to glass of
brandy from the bankers cabinet
After that felt better. My mind be-
came calmer. and could face the stu
alton with IA little more equanimity.
glanced at the clock. In very short
time / would have to return To Rollins,
confess my defeat, and meet the pun
ishment due me.
Thus | sat, staring down into the
street with my mind in no pleasant
mood, ! can assure you. Suddenly
saw carriage coming down town.
sprang up and looked more carefully.
Good Heavens! II was Vantwiller's,
1t stopped at our door, the banker de-
seconded and entered the building. My
breath actually seemed TO leave my
body. understood il perfectly. Roll
Inns, repenting of his action in allowing
me a moment in which to discover the
will, had notified Vantwiller of its
loss. And here the banker was now,
on his way upstairs. In one minute he
would enter the room, see me before
him, and, knowing all, would either
send me out like a dog or have me ar
rested For an instant wild desire &c
bolt came over me. But only for an in.
slant. | heard his slow step sounding
on the corridor outside. In ten seconds
the blow came. braced myself against
my desk, drew four deep breaths, and
stood ready for the volley. The door
opened. Nantwiller came in. gazed az
me very pleasantly, and said:
"Why! You here, Thurston; thought
you were going to Tarrytown this af-
ternoon.'
felt as though some one had struck
me. My surprise was so great, and the
revulsion of feeling SO terrible, that
fairly staggered. Vantwillcr saw it.
"Arc you ill., sir?" said he. Whats
the matter with you|
"Mr. Vantwillcr," blurted out, 81
have lost your will"
Lost my will What do you mean,
sir?"
Yes, have lost it. This morning,
when You gave IL TO me, | swear TO you
put it in my pocket with my private
papers. When ] was about to give il
to Brunson's clerk, the -"
A very queer look came into Want.
willer's face, as though he suddenly
comprehended the situation. THAT
will, sir, is locked up in my desk.
That's just what | came back here for,
to deliver it to Bruuson myself"
"ln your desk?" mumbled. And then
the room grew dark. The windows
began To dance, and the floor to rock
knew that was falling, and then
oblivion. had tainted
awoke in my own room with Want
willer himself at my side Very soon
it was explained TO me. When had
gone downstairs on the errand, after
having placed the win in the pocket of
my street coat, Vantwiller remembered
something he wished to see in the docu.
ment. He went to my pocket, took
the will out and returned To his desk
While he was looking il over, the two