The record-union., 1893-05-20


II am sure L couldn't be in better
hands, Joseph" said Binks, with fiabby
humility.
ITS just as well that you at last recog-
nize that, Binks," | said severely; ''some
men might have taken the past into ac-
count. and left you to get yourself out of
the scrape as best you could. However
Oriental Bank ?''
The suddenness of this question nearly
threw Binks off his mental and physical
balance.
why, yes," he responded, "but what
has that got to do with it? 1t has gone to
smash, and l have lost sixty pounds"
l smiled grimIy as 1 seated myself at
Blnks' writing-desk. and wrote a short
letter which [ sealed and put in my
breast-pocket.
1t was addressed To the editor of the
local paper.
We'll, good-by, Binks, 1 said cheer
fully, and thank the stars that you
possess friend who has head on his
shoulders, and generous and forgiving
disposition"
Blnks wanted to hear great deal more
ABOUT what L intended to do, but / de-
parted with a sphinX-like air, and leIt
him, though still sitting on the edge of a
porGmanteau, with a gleam of hope in
ms beady eyes which had not been there
when l first entered the room.
dropped the letter into the nearest
plAar-boXr and went home serenely,
chuckIing q little to myself.
Inc next morning this paragraph ap-
peared in the North Barton Courier:
We regret to learn that our esteemed and
respected toWnSman. Timothy Binks OF Old-
Held House, has been Il heavy loser by the fail
ure OF the Oriental Bank. Runor says that
The unfortunate gentleman mad deposited
nearly the whole of his fortune in it Il few
days before the crash came. 1t is to be feared
That ne is not the only loser here.
read this account of my friends ruin
with a cheerful and unmoved counte-
nance, and in the afternoon l took my
hat and stick and went over to Shaw
Lodge in time for cup of afternoon tea
! saw from the moment l entered the
drawing-roOm that the family seemed
in depressed frame of mind. Casting
my eyes furtiyely round | saw the
North Barton Courier lying open on the
table.
After the first greetings had been inter
changed, and Gertrude had supplied me
with tea and mullins with her own fair
hands, Mrs. Huckweu took up the paper
and mournfully asked me, as Mr.. Binks'
Oldest friend and adviser, whether there
were any truth in the sad statement she
had just read.
For" she remarked, these newspa-
pers do get hold of things and exaggerate
them in a most extraordinary fashion.
and l should not like to write and con-
dole with poor dear Mr.. Binks if he has
only lost few pounds"
Mrs. Huckwell," l said solemnly.
putting down my cup, and neglecting the
mullins, ''Our poor friend Binks is in a
state bordering on distraction. | have
just come from him. A sadder sight
never saw. He was already packing to
a broad hnt hn daSiGtaI Il
from deciding anything hastily, and will,
1 hope, be induced 10 stop on i'll the old
familiar place where we all love and
respect him. l dare say" l added, with
sigh, that some Of US might club to-
gether and provide a small cottage to
shelter his old age.
Dear me, is it as bad as that?" said
Mrs. Huckwell uneasily. II should have
thought Mr.. Binks would have done bet
ter abroad
You don't understand Timothy Binks
if you say that, Tna'am. He is of a pecu-
liarly sensitive disposition. Transplant
him and he would diet Besides. to tell
you the TRUTH" and 1 bent a little for
ward and fixed my eyes on hers. che
seems to have particular reason for
wishing to stay i'll \ orth Barton. I fancy
it is sentimental one, and | cannot vio-
late the poor fellows confidence by tell
ing you any more"
Then you don't know the Iady's
name?' asked Mrs. Huckwell, with an
uneasy laugh"
Il haven't the least idea" I answered
unblushingly. "Biuks is a verv reserved
man. But l feel sure that if he loves it
will be for ever. | hope the lady TO whom
he Is attached Will not throw the worthy
fellow overheard. He is man in a thou
sand"
All, you are young, and can take ro-
mantle view Of things" said Mrs. Huck-
well, signing. 1--WE old folks know that
a household is not carried on by kisses.
If knew the lady of whom you speak,
Mr.. Slater, should recommend her to
break Oft the match at once"
She slipped her tea with pensive air
and relapsed into silence, now and then
casting look at the paper and murmur-
ing; p.,u
When l left Gertrude followed me m
the door. There were actually tears in
the poor girls beautiful eyes, and I felt a
perfect brute.
please give my love to Mr.. Binks. -
she said, in whisper, 'and tell him how
very, very sorry am. He is always so
good to me-"
l gave Binks part of the message. bnt
the ''Iove" I kept myself. | thonGht if
might have an intoxicating effect upon
him, and lead him to seek Gertrude ont
on the spot, reveal the fraud-of which at
present he was blissfully unaware-and
offer to make her his wife at once, with or
without the tormality of Mrs. HuckwelPs
assent.
l strolled into Oldfield House that nipht
to see how affairs were progressing With
Binks. 1 found him sitting with his ell
bows on the table and his head in his
hands, reading much-pertumed missiye
with an air OF the most complete amaze
ment. He had run his fingers throuoh
the fringe of hair that adorned his head
until it stood up like the aureole of some
martyred saint Only it revealed the fact
that while the top layer OF the aureole
was almost black the underneath part
was nearly white. But Binks lost sight
of personal appearance for the time be-
ing.
Twill you tell me what this meaus?,,
he cried i'll excitement the moment he
saw me, happing the note wildly to and
fro. This is some of your doing. sup
pose"
| sat down i'll leisurely manner and
stretched out my hand for the scented
paper.
My dear Binks," L said, "don't get ex-
cited. That fatal habit of hurrying is
growing upon you"
Too crushed to retaliate Binks relapsed
into silence while l read the noto aloud.
1t ran thus:
SHAW LODGE, July 10.
MY DEAR Mr.. BINKS: In view of the sad
news that l read in to-day's Courier I am
sure you will agree with me that it is best To
terminate our shOrt-llved engagement at once.
This decision may seem harsh and I know
how deeply you will feel tiny heart aches