St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-11-22


OF a tramp, except that his clothing
was threadbare, and even ragged in
places, and he wore no overcoat.
I'll beg pardon" he stammered.
II did not know"
But Miss Kingsley seemed to sud
denly recover her self-possession.
Turning to the cook she said
Never mind, Hannah; will see
this gentleman myself. He is an old
friend of the family" Then, address
ing the man: "Will you please come
with me, Mr.. Granby?"
He looked as if he would have pre-.
TERED to sink through the floor, but
she had turned and was leaving the
kitchen before he could reply. He
followed her hesitatingly, mechan-
lcally like one in dream. She led
the way to small room adjoining
the library. There she turned and
faced him.
Mr.. CRANKY, will you kindly tell
me what this means?"
He stood before her, fumbling his
hat in his hands. Herquestion seem
ed to increase his confusion, and he
had to clear his throat several times
before he could find his voice.
ut is all an unfortunate blunder,"
he exclaimed at last, "Idid not know
that this was your home. | CHANGED
to be passing, and thought-well, |
was hungry and mo, | will not sit
down." as she waved her hand
toward chair. IF you will be good
enough to let me go now | will be
careful not to intrude upon you
again"
you mistake my meaning" said
Miss Kingsley, with look OF dis.
tress. Il am not asking why you are
here. God knows l am glad to see
you. What | want to know is what
has brought you to this-this-con-
dition? | cannot believe that you
have voluntarily adopted the life
of "a"
"Of tramp" he said, finishing her
sentence with bitter smile.
pardon me-" she added hastily;
II have no right to question you.
Pray, don't misjudge my motive. l
know that you are not to blame for
the change in your fortunes; know
that you are incapable of wrong
act"
He gave her sharp look, as if he
would read her thoughts.
THAT is a remarkable statement"
he said slowly. Can it be that you
have forgotten why l ran away from
home i've years ago?'
II have not forgotten the miserable
story that was told at that time"
she replied firmly, but | have heard
a different story since. Mr.. CRANKY,
my unhappy brother has told me
everything"
The man started.
"He has told me-" continued the
woman, her face white with sup.
pressed excitement, that it was he
and not you who forged the check
for $15,OOO!'
"He told you that? Good heavens
does your father know?"
MY father and mother have both
gone to another world, Mr.. CRANKY.
Robert and have been orphans for
three years. 1t was not until after
their death that he made his confess
ion to me. He told me of his youth
Naturalization for gambling and horse
races; how he became so deeply in
volved that in moment of despera-
ton, to avert the disgrace he saw
staring him in the face, he forged the
signature of depositor in fathers
bank, hoping thus to retrieve his
losses and replace the money before
it's withdrawal was discovered. You,
as teller of the bank, cashed the check
without suspicion. Afterward, when
the money was squandered, and Rob-
ert realized that he could not hope to
conceal his crime, he confided in you
and begged you to help him out OF
his trouble, He said that his expos.
ure would kill his mother, bring dis
grace upon his family, and cause his
father to forever disown him. Then
it was that you sacrificed yourself to
save him and his family. You told
him you would divert suspicion from
him if he would keep his own counsel
and promise on his oath to never
gamble again. You kept your word
by suddenly disappearing, thus bring