Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-04

IL
the dark wall guarded by gratings
which seemingly served a double pur
pose. The narrow passage way ended al
a number of doors, on one of which the
word president" was perfectly legible
Now the woman stopped and summon
ed up all her resolution. She could heal
her heart beating till the pain grew in
tolerable. Her cheeks burned. Her throat
felt dry and voiceless. While she stood
thus, the man who had started for the
street, retraced his steps, passed her anc
opened the door next to the one that was
demanding all her courage. The actor
made no impression upon her beyond
the fact that the doors were easily man
aged, and after moment of supreme
effort she turned the handle in front Of
her and stepped into little room con
tanning table, several chairs and a tall
elderly, gray looking man, who was
walking about the small floor as il
measuring it's square feet. He gave hel
a quick, sharp glance, which suddenly
grew fixed, and then drew forward 6
chair, which she eagerly accepted.
"Did you wish to see ne?"
Are you MI. McSSenger!
The man nodded, and observing he1
agitation spoke assuringly.
"What can do for you?"
"Oh, everything! You can do every
thing for u.s. Her eyes sought his. She
clasped her hands. 81 am Jasper Bar.
clay's sister"
''There, that will do 1t is useless tt
discuss his affairs. The police authorities
have the matter i'll charge, and'-
''But you could stop all these efforts
to arrest hin"-
''Do you know where he is conceal
ed?''
Miss Barclays flush deepened, but hel
eyes still held Mr.. Messengers prison
ers. He had read of such eyes, but this
was his first experience Of their power.
"No. I wish we did. His wife is i'll,
dying. am sure if Jasper knew it he
would risk everything to come back tc
her. If you will stop all these proceed
ings against him, we can advertise fol
him, and perhaps he will see the notice. y
Mr.. Messenger smiled sarcastically.
"You tell me that you have no meth
cd of communication with him.
ooh, no! He left the house one morn
ing as usual to come here. We have
never seen him nor heard from him
since. We only know the terrible things
that the papers are publishing about us
ALL"
''Truth is sometimes disagreeable. -
But it is not truth.
"Not truth! My dear young lady, dc
you know what he has been doing sys-
tematically for years"
''But his wife was not extravagant. y
"That is one Of tho evil effects OF
crime The innocent have to suffer, per
haps more than the guilty. 1 am very
sorry for you and your family, but the
law must take its course in this case.
am very busy this morning. Perhaps you
the cashier not only left matters i'll con,
fusion, but led to your brothers sudden
flight. You must excuse me.
Don't send me away until you have
heard all that Iwant to say. What good
can it do you to put him in prison? He
has no money. He can do nothing there
to repay you. We have nothing. We
have never earned dollar. "
Eyes, it is allvery sad, but it is about
time to make an example Of somebody.
This sort of thing is growing too rapid
ly in the community. The banks charge
their losses to the general account ano
make no effort to bring these offenders
to justice We have concluded to spare
no efforts in this case. I am glad t1
know that you arc ignorant Of youl
brothers whereabouts. 1t somewhat
simplifies the matter. Now, if you will
excuse me-
"Surely you cannot be so cruel, SC
heartless. Think Is there not something
that we can do? am willing to work
and try to return at least some of the
money"
zone hundred thousand dollars, with
the interest and the costs-you think
you could earn it! Miss Barclay, you1
brother has been cruel, heartless, COW
ardly, swindling his employers, who
trusted him, and keeping his family il
style wholly inconsistent with his sal
airy. You know I am right in what
say. Why, you must have been child
when your brother began clerking it for
U.S."
IT was. He has taken care of me for
years"
II see." Mr.. Messenger commenced
pacing the very limited space 1t was
annoying to have woman sobbing in
his private Office. She could be over
heard in the next one. He stopped quite
close to her, lowering his voice: eco
away now. I am really too busy to give
proper attention to you. Come again
Let me see-say, OH Saturday after
noon
"Then you will be merciful?'
Her sudden change Of expression star
tied him.
"You really overestimate my power.
I have not the control"
''But you have influence.
Influence is not always successful
Suppose you take a few days to think
over the banks side of this matter, and
in the meantime shall consider yours
This is all can promise you to do. "
Mr.. Messengers eyes were cold,
searching, judicial, and he glanced from
Miss Barclay to the door as if every mo-
ment were fraught with incalculable i'm
portance to him and his affairs.
She rose, making an effort to regain
her composure, and fingered at the door
to hear him repeat the Saturday arrange
ment. Evidently she and her misery
= IL Il.