Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-29

Can you speak Of this before you'
father and-and savannah asked
Mary.
you must not stay in the night air
lass; you'll get chilled. Oh! yes; I can
say anything beforc-them." Mary
guessed what he had meant 10 say
even before he added, M II to explain
away her thoughts: Savannah knowh
everything already"
They went in, and Mary was relieved
to see he was brighter than she had
thought.
She half hoped that matters were not
SO bad as she had feared. but the first
words he spoke killed her hope. They
were addressed 20 Savannah In answer
to the searching, anxious look that hhr
directed upon him with TIA onc-wOrd
question: "Well?'
mo, It Is not we'll" he answered.
playing on the word. at Is not SO bad
ns IL might be. lIut-," and lac looked
across to where his father lay.
lie Il asleep" said savannah, inter.
prcting the look.
Then Tom drew the two girls aero 80
the room, and In low voice told them
the result Of the journey to ptcsburh.
They had not found the man whom
they had gone over 20 see.
AZ soon as Tom began 10 speak "
the matter, Mary read in mis- eye, aud
voice and manner how real and terri
bic was the trouble, and how deeply lac
was suffering, and shn longcd in her
heart 70 have the task Of comforting
him. hut Suyannah's presence checked
her.
What Is II they say against you,
TOM she asked. II mcVn, what In
the actual charge they malc?"
"ThBt hive stolen the money OF the
fund, Mary. Tint I am thief You
know have to collect certain sub.
Scriptions, and thcy-well, 1t is Mur
stone who IL doing lt-sccm To haze
got hold OF the idea that I huyc been
making the accounts oil wrong, and
that haven't accounted for some OF
tue money"
What u disgrnccful shanc!" she
cried, angry and indignant at the mere
accusation against him. GLOW much |
money Is II that"
THAT have stolcn?" he said, when |
she hcsitntcd for n moment TO find n |
word TO use.
Tom! How can you even Joke about
such thing2" she exclaimed. II |
mean, how much do they say Is |
missing9'
THE amount they speak OF now Is |
about twelve or thirteen pounds; but |
but that IL not all" lie stopped and |
sighed heasily.
ssNhnt I'll Ia tInsa0u ugly,J NTur,s
laying her hand gently on his arm,
while her heart BLEED at the sight Of his
troubled eyes.
They dare TO suggest that the books
have been wrong for long time, and
'hnt there is much more money than
that altogether"
We'll, you can put The books into
somebody's hands tomorrow, and
show thats q lie" said Mary.
They've taken them tonight"
Tom, you surely never let them do
thatl Why, that's like admitting that
things are wrong"
at was the only arrangement they'd
consent TO-" he answered, as II feebly
oxcusing his weakness.
But about the money" she said,
after q pause. ibid you give them
that ~ well?"
"Tlow could do that?" he exclaimed,
rather irritably Didn't Savannah
tell you that It had been stolen out Of
the cash-box2"
WAS II the fund money chat was
stolcn7"
"Yes, Mary; OF course IL was" he
answered, again speaking irritably
Don't you understand? You know ]
put the money always In that CASH
box just as | collected II, and .tept II
there until paid II over to Lee when
lie came from Presburn. When went
to get II this evening, 10 show that Il
Tailed with the accounts, il was gone.
That's the whole thing In nutshell"
The tone In which he spoke hurt the
girl. 1t seemed as II he resented her
questions.
"But II II was only twelve or thir.
teen pounds-you have more than that
In the savings bank, Tom; and you can
give them that, can't you? Surely
they cannot punish you because some
one has stolen the money from you.
That, at the worst, would be your
loss, not theirs. Had enough, of
course; but not nearly 30 bad asa
the other"
This seemed 10 discomfort him more |
than the former questions. lie turned |
away his head, and Mary fnncied she
detected n quick glance flashed be-
tween Savannah and him.
You don't understand Il, Mary"
His voice was trife moro unsteady |
than II had been before. II told them |
that the money was In the house and
In the cAsh-box."
But II you have the money 10 give
them, how can it be- serious? Money Is
money, aud twelve pounds taken out Of |
tho savings bank Is the came to them |
~ twelve pounds taken out OF cash.
box. Surely that's all they want"
Again there was an awkward silence.
Tom turned away and leaut his head
ON his hand Ia an attitude Of detection.
Suddenly lac faced round, looked at the
girl as II she were accusing him, and
said-trying again 20 assume anger In
order 10 cover his confusion:
"Yes; it's all very well TO talk like
that. II had the money; but what
II haven't the money! And | have
MT" lie looked at her INTELLECTUALLY /
and yet automatically.
For q moment Mary could not re-
ply. She glanced into his face, then .
into Sayannah's, and then dropped her |
eyes lest he should read the doubts and |
fears which his words had raised. /