Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-08-07


"Ha, ha, don't worry about that.
Anl they separated; but the next
morning, no sooner did Jones reach
the store than Walter called him aside
for O private consultation.
Whatever was it's nature. even the
countenance of Walter Sterne was IN
able to conceal an expression OF as
tonishment and CONSERVATION.
"But why did you not tell me at
once2" he asked.
81 knew your cast-iron ways, and 1
was afraid you would tell the old gen.
tlcman, and that wouldn't do, you
know"
sTell him? Never! we must
keep him ignorant at any cost"
"But how will we do it?"
ooh, leave that to me. I'll go over
the books at once. There won't be
the slightest danger.
Walter Sterne was unusually busy
with his accounts that day, and in the
afternoon, late, Abel Leonard came
down in carriage. He tumbled the
books over, as usual, but had little to
say, and he really looked sick when he
started for home.
The ride was not long one, but it
seemed to have shaken all the pride
ont of the fat little merchant. AS he
entered tue hall he was met by Belle.
"Father?"
"The very worst, Belle !"
"How do you mean?"
s.The footings and entries arc cor
rccted, and the cash is all straight
again"
"But how is that the worst?"
"The corrections are all in Walter
Sterne's own hand"
''Oh, father, isn't it terrible !"
"Indeel it is. And I loved that
young man almost like son. I'd have
trusted him with all I was worth.
"And, to tell the truth, both father
and daughter were thoroughly miser-
able. Belle especially looked forward
with a nervous horror to the fast ap-
proachlug hour for Walters call.
At last the expected feet were on
the doorstap, and never had lie looked
so near the ideal of "6ne young
man." There was even O look OF
pride and elation on his face as he
entered the parlor, but his counte-
nance fell as he cast his eyes on the
face that came forward to meet him.
"Miss Leonardo"
"Mr. Sterne-"
And for few moments neither OF
them could sey more. Their embar-
rassment was, to say the least, changed
in nature by the sudden entry OF Abel
Leonard.
"Walter Sterne, I will save Belle
the trouble of giving you her answer.
Does not your own conscience tell you
what it ought to be?"
"My conscience? Icannot compre-
bend you"
"rhen I will aay that I have ex-
amined the books. saw them before
you made the corrections. Imay also
add that I have extorted m unwilling
confession from Jones-not that he
has dono wrong in anything but his
desire to shield you. 1t will not be
necessary for you to come to the Office
tomorrow.
While the old gentleman had been
speaking Walter had been thinking,
and he replied in q husky voice:
"Mr. Leonard, I see into what
snare I have fallen, but see also that
cannot at once lift myself ont of it.
will only sav now that 1 have been
honest with you, and more than hon
est. There is not one stain on my
conduct" And so saying, he strobe
ont OF the room. leaving deeper inn
preston behind him than he was
aware OF. AS for Belle, she throw
herself upon sofa IN the back par.
lor, and oil but sobbed herself to
sleep.
Perhaps an hour, perhaps moro,
passed by, when she was awakened by
voices couversing near her in low
tones in the darkness.
"No, you can't, Charley; that was
the very money I let you have. I told
him you helped yourself to it, and he
made it good to straighten the books
and clear you. It was only by bad
luck that the old gentleman pried it
out, and it's too late to help it. He'll
forgive Walter in day or so. Then,
You know, it fixes the other thing"
Thus far Charley had said very lit
tie that Belle could hear, but now his
voice was raised little.
STONES. do You think I'll shield
myself, or you either, at the expense
of a man that would do SO generous a
thing us that? No, not by"
"Hurrah for you, Churley!" almost
screamed Belle,as she sprang from the
sofa and threw her arms around his
neck. "[ knew that Walter was not
dishonest Go and bring him back
here. Never mind how late it is. Go!'
BY the time she ceased speaking
there came loud bang from the front
door MS it shut behind the rctreatins
form Of Evan Jones.
Charley went, MS he was bidden;
and if Abel Leonard never again
boasted of his "three fine young men"
he had, in after years, much to say
about "my son-in-law. Mr.. Sterne." )"