The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-01

| clerk, with instructions to have IL de-
ivered to him as soon as possible"
He handed me the document, which
at once put among the other impor-
tant papers, in the pocket of my street
coat, hanging in the closet | went
back to nv desk to finish the mornings
business, intending to deliver the will
on my way UP town, that afternoon. l
had hardly resumed my work when
Mr.. Vantwiller requested me to go on
some errand for him. The nature of
it is immateriaL II was only down
stairs, but l was gone about half an
hour.
AS I returned, 1 heard laughter in
the Office. Upon entering / noticed
that the banker was entertaining
some friends. Two gentlemen were
there with him, and all were laugh
ing heartily. The old gentleman ap-
peared very Jolly. His mind was ev-
identity undergoing one of those nu-
nerous relaxations so frequent in him.
They were just preparing TO leave for
! luncheon; and while they were talking
and laughing l went over TO the closet
to change my duster for my sack coat.
As did SO felt for the papers in my
pocket. They were there ali right.
Before leaving l turned az the door
to bid the banker good day; but he was
! so eRgrossed in his attention to his
friends that did not feel it my place
to interrupt him. So | closed the door
after me and descended into the street
] stopped at a restaurant to get
/ luncheon, and then started for Mas
sau street, where Mr.. Brunson's of
! fee was. l was in no particular hurry,
/ having the entire afternoon in which to
! deliver the important document, and SO
I sauntered along slowly, making plans
for the rest of the day, and thinking
over the conversation | had had that
morning with Mr.. Vantwiller. l had
not far to go, however, and soon ar
! rived at the lawyers Office, | sent up
my card and awaited reply. Ii came,
saying that Mr.. Brunson was not in,
! but that the clerk would attend to
everything. The clerk happened to be
nay particular friend, Ned Rollins
How dye do, Thurs" he exclaimed
as 1 entered. so the old man has
!
about it this morning: Oh! Yes!
! That's all right I'll attend to every
! thing. Just hand it over TO me.
/ Brunson won't be back until to-mor-
row morning Unexpected business,
you know. How's your sister? Heard
from her lately?"
While he was saying this, I had taken
! the bundle of papers out of my pocket
/ I stood with them in my hand waiting
for him 30 finish.
Eyes, Yantwiller has made his will"
replied l, ignoring his last question.
will you please give this document
TO Mr.. Brunson in the-er-that is,
when I find it Whyi / surely put it
in with these papers Where in tho
deuce can it be7 Let me see. now. I'll
go over the package again Mol My
/ heavens, man, the will is not thereP'
1t wss even SO. Twice l went over
that packet of documents, and twice 1
failed 10 find the object of nay search.
My heart seemed to give great drop,
and a~violent thFobuing began in my
throat ! know | must have turned
pale. for Rollins came forward and ex-
claimed:
why, Thurs'i What's the troublee
You are as white as ghost Haven't
you got the will?"
"E0r Heavens sake. don't talk so
loudr' I hoarsely whispered to him.
"Got itq-Nu! But had it when left
the office-at least these papers were
In my pocket, and tho will with them.
for put it there not half an hour be-
fore / came here"
/ crossed over the room and leaned
against the window casing. Moment
by moment the realization OK what had
happened became more vivid
What are you going to do about it9''
asked Rollins, in very cold, business
like tone which went straight through
me.
"Do-DO! L don't-know. Why,
man, do you realize what has happened
to me?"
Il think do, Thurston, this with a
sicllly smile. You have lost one Of
Vantwil!er's important documents;
probably his one most So" He hest
tated a moment, looking steadily at his
finger nails. "Of course he will have
to be notified of this, Thurston-st
once. ] must send message to him. :"
NO, don't! Not yeti" I interrupted,
speaking quickly and excitedly. Give
me one chance at least. Brunson viii
be away until morning, and Vartwiller
Is ont OF town. Give me this afternoon
and evening to hunt it up. Perhaps
IL.
bat left il on the desk. II | don's find
it-why then-well-I suppose l must
take the consequences. Say! old man,
you'll grant me this, wont you? 1t
NAV save my reputation"
He looked at ME fully mi mute after
had finished I 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 l looked at him
which made him remember that
promise.
Wen, I'll do as you say, but It's
only for you that l would do it. Go
back to your Office, do what you can,
ard report to me by seven tonight
viii 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 mv manner must have
alarmed tae ONCE boy, for he followed
me into the room.
is ANYTHING the matter with Mr..