The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-02-14

failed TO find the object of my search.
My heart seemed to give great drop,
and violent throbbing began in my
throat. know must have turned
pale. for Rollins came forward and ex-
claimed:
"Why, Thurs'l What's the trouble?
You are as white as ghost Haven't
you got the willP"
For Heavens sake, don't talk so
loudr' hoarsely whispered to him
SCOT it9-Nol But had it when left
the oface-at least these papers were
in my pocket, and the will with them,
for put 1t there not half an hour be-
fore came here
crossed over the room and leaned
against the window casing. Moment
by moment the realization OF what had
happened became more vivid.
''What are you going to do about it?"
asked Rollins. in very cold, business
like tone which went straight through
me.
..Do-Dol Il l. don't-know. Why,
man, do you realize what has happened
to me2''
II think do, Thurston," this with a
sickly smile. ''You have lost one of
vantwiller's important documents;
probably his one most So" He hesi-
tated moment, looking steadily at his
finger nails. "Of course he will have
to be notified of this, Thurston-a
once. must send message to him. :"
mo, DON'T Not YETI interrupted.
speaking quickly and excitedly. 'Give
me one chance at least. Brunson will
be away until morning, and Vantwiller
is out of town. Give me this afternoon
and evening to hunt it up Perhaps
after all didn't put it in my pocket.
but left it on the desk. If don't find
it-why then-well--I suppose must
take the consequences. Sayl old man,
you'll grant me this, won't you? 1t
may save my reputation"
He looked at me fully minute after
had finished knew that / was
trembling, and that anxiety and fear
were stamped on my face. Ned Rollins
and had always been great friends.
We had long ago promised to aid each
other in times of trouble. Perhaps it
was the helpless way looked at him
which made him remember that
promise.
"Well, I'll do as 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, if 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
ran upstairs my manner must have
alarmed the Office boy, for he followed
me into the room.
''ls anything the matter with Mr..
vantwiller, sir?" he asked, advancing
to my desk
mo, nothing" answered. good
deal more sharply than was necessary.
At the same time | showed him ont
rather unceremoniously, and locked
the door after him.
For two hours made most vigor-
GUS search for that missing document.
l ransacled the closet, overturne and
pried into every nook and corner Of my
desk, and examined the top of my en-
ployer's The inside could not see, 1t
being locked. In a oment of impa-
tience 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, l sat down, or rather dropped
into chair. My face was streaming
with sweat, due to my constant search
and the situation in which I was
placed. was completely ratified"
tried to think, but could not. Every
thing went round and round. 1t 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 situ-
alton with little moro equanimity.
glanced at the clock. Ia very short
time / would have to return TO Rollins,
confess my defeat, and meet the pun
ishment due me.
Thus 1 sat, staring down into the
street, with my mind in no pleasant
mood, / can assure you. Suddenly |
saw carriage coming down town. l
sprang up and looked more carefully.
Good Heavensi 1t was Vantwiller's.
1t stopped at our door, the banker de-
seconded and entered tho building. Ny
breath actually seemed to leave my
body. / understood 1t perfectly. Rol-
lina, 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 q dog or have me ar
rested. For an instant wild desire to
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. Vantwiller came In, gazed at
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
TcVukhlOu OA IccA1uB 81 tCftAOAcs sAHe
fairly staggered. vantwiller saw it.
..Are you i'll. sir2" said he. Whats
the matter with your
''Mr Vantwiller," blurted out, II
have lost your will"
Lost my will What do you mean,
STRIP"
Yes, have lost 1t. This morning,
when you gave 1t to me. swear TO you
I.put It in my pocket with my private
papcrs. When / was about to give 1t
to Brunson's clerk, the ~"
A very queer look came into Want
willer's face, as though he suddenly
comprehended tl-e situation. THAT
will. sir. is locked up In my desk.
That's just what ! came back here for,
to deliver II to Brunson myself"
I'm your deskf" mumbled. And then
the room grew dark The windows
began to dance, and the floor to rock.
knew that IswAs falling. and then
oblivion, had tainted.
awoke In my. own room with Vant-
willer himselt At my aide. Very soon
Il was explained to me. When | had
gone downstairs on the .errsnd, after
having placed the viii 10 the pocket Of
nav street cost VaptWilisx remembered
somsfhsns he wiahaA kRana ~ 49, 6essra-