Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-08-12

Danls, named Horace Jackson. He was
one OF the bookkeepers, man about
40 years old. and quiet. reserved fell
low. He never mingled in any dispute
or controversy among tho clerks, was o
competent accountant, and lived So
eluded life outside OF the bank. He
was a bachelor, and did not seem 90
have any special friends. II was GER
tain he never chummed or cronied with
any OF his associates In the. bank.
Mr. Jackson, will you do me a IA
vorP" asked, as he paused in his walk,
Most willingly, Mr.. Conway. You
have but to state IT," he answered, af-
fably.
stated the circumstances concern
ing the lock. ut is possible that I viii
be unable to BIO on hand at halt-past
eight" I added. j.
"And you wish me to be at the bank
In your placer" he said.
Eyes, II 1t would not inconvenience
you"
mot at all. I will be there, SO the
rule will be complied with, Oh, stay q
moment. There is an old aunt Of mine
over In Camden who is Ill, and might
possibly be summoned to her bedside"
"Well, then, let 1t go. I'll stay at
home, and go to the bank, as intended,
myself" ] said, feeling quite disap-
pointed.
"But II I soy will be ut the bank
you may depend ON me, Mr.. Conway,
sick aunt or not" Jackson went on.
He really seemed 30 willing to do me
the favor that / could only reply:
"Thank you very much. I'll depend on
you. It will be doing mo q great favor
indeed. I'll reciprocate soma day."
mot another word, Mr.. Conway, on
the subject. Go and enjoy yourself"
Then he regarded me with a smile as he
continuedI IL suppose Ii is Miss Nor
ley that you intend to visit Now, I
am Just on my way to see her father
at his Office"
"oh, you are acquainted with the
Morleys, then2" remarked, somewhat
coldly, for did not relish his bringing
Florence Morley's name into the con-
yersatlon.
"only slightly acquainted. am In.
terested In few business ventures
with Mr.. Morley. My acquaintance ex-
tends no further" Jackson said.
1returned to my lodgings llght-heart-
ed and happy Mt the prospect Of again
seeing the sweet girl whom / had loved
and worshiped for some time In secret.
So then Horace Jackson was ac-
quainted with Mr.. Morley. I could not
but feel a greater respect for Jackson.
For Mr.. Morley was one of the most In
Auential and highly-thought-of men IN
Philadelphia, and, besides, wus one of
the trustees of the bank. jackson had
never boosted Of his relations with
such an influential mani indeed, had
never even heard him mention tho fact
before this.
I had felt all along that IL would be
presumptuous for me TO aspire to be
Florence MoEley's husband. But this
evening she was so gracious, so sweet
and lovable, that II was impossible for
me to resist the impulse 70 tell her Of
my love. To my intense happiness
discovered that my humble self was by
no means an object Of Indifference to |
her.
Mr.. Morley was Of a digniAed, com.
handing presence, and HRther overawed |
me. 1t would be no easy matter to ask |
his consent to marry his daughter.
Florence was his only child, and all the |
purposes Of the fathers life seemed to
center In his motherless daughter. Still |
l knew must approach him some day, |
and there was comfort In the faot that
he had always met me In a kindly. II
dignified and reserved manner. He
had never given me any cause to think
that my attentions to his daughter
were obnoxious to himI but then those
attentions had been extended out Of
friendship only. How he would be az
fected by the knowledge that was,
from this evening, the accepted lover Of
bis daughter, ! could not sur1pise.
could only hope that Flerence's inAu-
ence, which ! was well aware was pow
erful with her father, might prevail.
The dear girls heart was mine at any
rate, for she had told me so, and be-
lleyed her words.
After the evenings enjoyment with
drew to the hotel near the depot, where
I passed the rest OF the night IN happy |
anticipations OF the future,
The train which took me back to the
city was o few minutes late, and when |
arrived at the bank IL lacked but ten
minutes of opening time.
Had / been late, either the president
or the treasurer would have had to be
called upon to open the vault, and It is
doubtful II either Of them remem-
bered the combination. The bond teller
and the head receiving teller shared I
with me the knowledge OF the combine
ton, but, as those two gentlemen were
away on their vacations at this time, |
was the only one besides the officials
who could unlock the vault.
The heavy outside doors were soon
opened, and, summonipg the porter to
help me carry out the cash for the
days business, entered the vault.
There were eight compartments In
side, the doors Of which were provided T.
with combination looks.