Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-01-23
loving her-ob, more than ever-l
drew back. and said:

or l should not have troubled you. II
is not too late now. You might con.
vey my excuses to your father, and
will go"
Ipaused, hoping she would answer,
but, with her face averted, she re-
mained silent. l waited moment,
looking at her graceful figure with a
foolish mist rising in my eyes. Then
l turned softly about and WAS making
my way out OF the room, when there
was sudden swish of skirts, a quick
tap OF little feet upon the carpet. and
my arm was caught and held. l
paused at once, and looking down
caught tho CLEAN of two violet eyes
lifted to mine-eyes that at once
smiled and reproached, promised and
reproved. Iturned and caught both
the warm little hands in mine, and,
scarcely conscious OF what did, lifted
them to my lips and kissed them in
turn. Her name seemed to tear it.
self from the depths of my bosom with
an accent of passion and pleading
that must have told her my whole
story, had she been ignorant OF it be.
fore.
"Enid! Beautiful Enid!"
A wave of delicious color swept over
her face and throat. For second her
hands trembled in mine, nay, clung to
them; her beautiful head dropped; !;
her eyes sought my eager gaze, and
fell; then, with quick gesture, she
withdrew herself, and in cool, even
tones welcomed Mr.. Jerome Naylor,
who pushed aside the portiere and
walked quietly into the room.
Had he seen, had he overheard any
portion of our interview? 1t was i'm.
possible to Judge. He was gallantly
respectful toward Enid, and frank and
friendly toward me. During the din.
ner he conversed fuently, touching,
as it appeared, casually, upon certain
defalcations OF trusted clerk in a
bank with which we held intimate
business relations. Once, and only
once, I thought ! detected that male.
VIOLENT glance fixed upon me; but if J.
was right it passed like n flash, AMI
was not repeated.
left the Day mansion with hea|s
that sang like a joyous bird. was at
peace with tue whole world. Life was
glorious, gorgeous1thing. The pur-
pie bud OF hope seemed to be upon the
point of unfolding into splendid
| flower. Rut / was reckoning without
Jerome NaYlor.
AS the days went by l became cog
infant of whisper, whose source no
one could trace-a whisper OF some
thing wrong in the accounts of the
bank; OF money unappropriated, of
books falsifed. Absorbed in my
dreams I gave no heel to tho change
in the demeanor of Wy fellow clerks,
of the coldness of my employer, OF the
glee OF the cashier, Jerome Naylor,
until, without preparation. without
warning, the blow fell Iwas accused
of robbing the bank Of funds en-
trusted to my care.
For the moment I was utterly
stunned, PROSTATE, helpless When
the charge was flung into my teeth l
stared, stammered, stood thunder.
struck, unable to defend myself, or to
comprehend the magnitude Of the
crime OF which was declared guilty.
Twas commanded to appear before
my employer, at his residence, to un.
dereo IN examination. When 1 en-.
tered the room. Mr.. Day, looking sad
and grave, was seated before small
table covered with books and papers.
At his elbow, with an evil smile upon
his dark features, sat jerome Naylor.
In loud, angry voice I denied the
charge Of long and systematic course
of peculation, and demanded the pro.
duction of evidence. Mr.. Day looked
hesitatingly at Naylor, who, drawing
his chair nearer the table, and clear
ing his throat, began:
II am sorry to see our young friend
adopting this unwise course, know
ing, as lie must, that I have confes'
sion OF his wrong doing, under his
own hand and signature.
stared ut him open.mouthed. The
internal imprudence OF the man abso
lutely bewildered me.
"Yes," he continued, in tone o'
profound melancholy, m "more than five
years ago detected this unfortunate
young man stealing money from the
bank. charged him with his crime,
and in the agony of his remorse he
wrote full confession, begging me tc
spare him and to give him another
chance. Considering his years, ant
the fearful consequences OF such ar
exposure, consented to condone hi
offence, making good his peculation'
from my own slender means"
"Noble fellow!' murmured Mr.
, Day, grasping his cashiers hant
warmly, while remained mute, chok
| ing with rage, incapable OF uttering {
word in my own defence.
"But in view Of these latter develop
ments," went on the cashier, IL fee
that I should do wrong to withhold
,, the truth any longer"
"Sureiy! surely!" ejacnlatod Mr.
,, Day, gazing at me sadly. "But
would never have believed it OF you
Trescott. Never!"
"May see that paper purportin:
.. to be my confession ?" asked, finding
my voice at last.
) ''DO not let 1t pass out OF you
hand, Mr.. Day." interposed Naylor
hastily.
, 81 do not desire TO touch it, l said
, "If Mr.. Day will allow me to look a
1t as it lies upon the table before him
| it will suffice"
Then I bent over and read; and a
/ read the letters swan before IN,
eyes, and thrill Of utter terror seize'
, my limbs. for there, In my own hand
: writing, was shameful confession o
sin and degradation. My own hand
{ writing? No! q thousand times, no
Iknew that it was not, that my finger
I had never penned those damnin
! words. But who could detect the dii
ference? Who would nail the fou
I forgery? No one, no one! For tn
moment I felt crushed and who'll
{ lost.
| l:l:n~ 49, -.