The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-10-15

here in my place" faltered.
.Jackson! What has he to do with
the vault? He doesn't know the COM
bination. does he?"
mo, sir. II was only to have an en-
ploye in the room after the timepiece
had run down. that I saked him to be
present"
Call Jackson" Mr.. Perry requested
of the treasurer.
While that gentleman was gone ON
his errand. Mr.. Perry and ] made .
hasty search through the other COM
partments. We found some of them IN
disorder, and. Judging from appear
ances. many bonds missing.
The president was completely over
whelmed by this new discovery. He
stood gazing at me with . look of the
greatest anguish on his white. drawn
face.
"Oh, Mr.. Perry I cried. "as God hears
me, know nothing about this. Oh. be-
lieye me, am innocent"
"No one has accused You, Conway. SO
far" he replied. seriously. and with sig
nificance.
"You cannot think had anything 70
do with it," went on. "You know
have never betrayed any trust which
have held in this bank"
"My God! don't know what to think.
I can't think. You never told anyone
the combination" the president sud-
denly asked.
"Oh, no, no; have never breathed a
figure Of it to q living soul, answered.
earnestly.
who besides yourself knows how
to open the vault?"
The bond teller and the receiving
teller" replied.
"And they are away on their vacs-
tions, are they not?"
ayes, SIR" / faltered. for OWNED the
meaning of his questions.
Here the treasurer returned. followed
by Jackson. "Were you here this morn
ing at the time you promised Mr.. Con-
way you would De? the president
asked jackson.
Jackson glanced around in surprise
at the group he saw inside the vault.
.It was an impossibility for me to full
fill my promise" he answered. "An
aunt of mine over in Camden who has
been i'll for some time died last even
ing, and, rs I am her sole relative and
heir to what little she possessed, was
compelled to go over to Camden last
night. expected to return in time to
keep my word with Mr.. Conway. But
I was unable to complete the arrange
ments for the funeral and some other
minor matters relating to the will until
this morning. and had only just ar-
rived at the bank when Mr.. Smithson
(the treasurer) inforWed me you
wished to see me-"
Then he added. in deep concern: II
sincerely hope the inability to keep my
promise has not been the cause Of any
trouble"
swell, whatever trouble there may
Be. the blame certainly cannot be at
tached to you. Mr.. jackson, under the
circumstances you have mentioned.
You may return to your work. Mr.. Per-
~ mid. after . long pause.
r tntsnded 70 ask leave Of absence
~kas1xw days." Jackson began. in .
hooitating manner. "But II anything
has happened which would prevent
your granting IL"
~No. NO. nothing has happened which
would keep you here. Your request 10
granted. Every consideration must
give way to DEATH" Mr. Perry re-
sponded
Jackson thanked the president in his
quiet and courteous why and left the
vault.
"It IL past the time for beginning
business," the treasurer suggested.
The remark aroused Mr.. Perry from
the troubled and perplexcd state tho
loss Of the money had plunged him
Into.
~Ie there anv cash in the ,yault?"'
''Yes. sir. All the gold and silver and
the receipts Of yesterday seem to be
hsrs," replied.
"weii, get your money out 10 the
windows - quickly n you can. Con-
way. then come to my room. Mr.. Smith
son. call the police. and send messen-
esss TO ths trustees for nm immediate
meeting. God. what . report to give
tAemi"
with heavy heart and feeling that
I wss treadinR on the verge Of preci.
psee I obeyed his behest. Then went
. his Office.
Before the door leading ont into the
vestibule one Of the special police Of
ne hank was standing.
] smiled bitterly. n recognized the
fact that steps had already been taken
70 prevent my leaving the hank.
Mr. Perry was walking the floor; he
notioned 10 me 10 be seated. The trus-
SD. significantly.
swell, let them. They'll get nothing
out Of me-" ! replied. doggedIy.
q - n