Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-09-07

relevedly and went to the counter
That afternoon he did what all thu
other years of his Lille he had deemed
impossible for him to do. He made 0
neat alteration in his books 80 that the
G5 in question would not be missed
Tomorrow, he resolved, he would TAXI
G5 of his own, and would pay it into
the account of the firm. The little
duchess would be his debtor. and ruI
no more risks. But, alas for the NOR
row!
Ere he had fairly taken his seat il
the morning, before Nellie had fin
ished fastening in her neck the violeti
he had brought her, some words were
said at his elbow, and he slowly be-
came aware that he-surely it was 0
dream was being arrested for de-
falcations in his accounts. He learned
that for some time past the firm had
been aware of considerable discrepan.
cies in the books, and had placed a
detective accountant in the Office.
Last night, for the first time, the man
had discovered, as he thought, clue,
and had convinced the firm that in
Walters he had found the offender.
The lad was ashen pale, horror.
stricken, as he realized how these
things must 60 against him. He could
not drag. in the name of the little
duchess even if he did it would not
avail him much; he certainly had al.
tered his book, and to mention the
girls share would only be to have two
| of them brought to trial and perhaps
! to Jail. The little duchess in Jail
That hair catching the prison-yarl
sunshine! That slender form clad in
the garments of shame! The boy
drew a deep breath, waved one very
wistful glance at the silk counter, and
then walked straight to the manager
room followed by the policeman. 81
took the f5 yesterday and brought it
back to-day. On my oath, before
God, sir, l have never misapplied one
farthing of my moneys" his voice
trembled in its eagerness, the deep
set eyes cleaned and the white lips
worked.
"Yonr purpose, Walters?"
The manager looked hard, disbe-
lieving.
"Direst need. Oh, believe me, sir,
l have served you three years honest
ly as man can yesterday |
borrowed this money and brought it
back this morning-don't ruin my
whole life for this one act. )"
; Your pressing need yesterday"
John drew deep breath again.
w-can't well tell you"
Then the heads of the firm came in
indignant at their misused trust, and
they scorned his story. The defalca-
ton amounted to almost ESQ in all,
and he had confessed to G5, which
had been found upon him. or course,
he and no other was the offender, and
they must teach their employees a
lesson. So John walked down that
long shop by the side of the official,
his head very erect, his face pale and
his knees shaking; all his life he
would remember the glances of pity,
curiosity and disdain that he met on
every side. AS he passed the silk
counter the little duchess was meas
uring a great piece of rose-red, sheeny
satin, that cleaned warm and beauti-
full beneath her hands. She was very
white, and in her eyes was look of alb
ject horror and entreaty; his eyes re-
assured her, and passed on and out Of
the door. Yes, all his life he would
remember that that rose.red satin and
its brilliant, glancing light.
After the trial everyone thought
him fortunate to get only two years,
and the little duchess. who had gro wn
thin and ancient-looking, breathed
freely as she read the account in the
papers, and saw that her name was
not even mentioned in connection
with the matter. He wrote to her a
loving, boyish letter, and told her she
must be true to him till he came out
and they would be married and go
away where this could never be heard
of.
1t was no small thing he had done
for her, he knew, and as he was moi
more than human he expected his re-
ward. And the little duchess had
cried quietly over the letter, and fol
several days cut off silk and satin with
a pensive, unhappy look that quite
touched her customers those few
among them who realized that it was
human flesh and blood at the other
side OF the yard measure.
Twenty months after the little Ouch.
ess was Mt the same counter measuring
silk and satin for the stock taking,
when note was brought to her in 4
writing she remembered too we'll.
81 got out to-day, Nellie-come
down to the Gardens in the lunch
time.
She hesitated when the time came
but, you see, he might come to the
shop, and that would never do. Sc
she put on her hat thoughtfully and
set out for the Domain.
He was awaiting her on the sea-
where nearly two years ago the gar
dener had smiled at them. He stood
up as she came slowly towards him,
and for minute they gazed at each
other without speaking.
She was in black of course, but
fresh and dainty.loolsing, with {
bunch of white chiffon at he's throat,
with her little tan shoes, and her hail
showing golden against the black Of
her lace hat.
For him, his face had hardened
the once thick, curly hair was horri
bly, shorter, his hands were rough
aud unsightly, his clothes hung awk
wsrdly upon him and his linen wa
doubtful.
"The little duchess !" he said, duly
then he put out his hand, took he
small gloved one and looked at it Gu
riously.
T-I am glad you're out" sh
said, carefully looking away from
him.
"Yes-we must be married now
| Al