Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-01


81 will come" I said briefly, for the
cashiers manner affected me with an
| inexplicably unpleasant sensation, and
turned again to my work.
| reached the Day mansion at an
early hour the next afternoon, and, as
l had hoped, yet feared, found Enid
alone in the drawing room. She did
not turn to meet me as l entered, but
remained standing near the window,
partly embodied by the curtain. 1
advanced toward her and timidly Of
fered my hand, which she did not
seem to notice. Resentful, and yet
loving her-oh, more than eyer--I
drew back, and said:
"Your father invited me, Miss Enid !;
IL thought you wished mo to come,
or | should not have troubled you. 1t
is not too late now. You might con-
vey my excuses to your father, and |
will go"
paused, hoping she would answer,
but, with her face averted, she re-
mained silent. [ waited moment,
looking at her graceful figure with a
foolish mist rising in my eyes. Then
! turned softly about and was making
my way out OF the room, when there
was a sudden swish of skirts, quick
tap of little feet upon the carpet, and
my arm was caught and held. l
paused Mt once, and looking down
caught the CLEAN of two violet eyes
lifted to mine-eyes that ut once
smiled and reproached, promised and
reproved. j turned and caught both
the warm little hands in mine, aud,
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
nm accent of passion and pleading
that must have told her my whole
story, had she been ignorant of it be-
| fore.
"Enidl Beautiful Enid~
A wave of delicious color swept over
her face and throat. For second her
hands trembed 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 hueutly, touching,
as it appeared, casually, upon certain
defalcations OF trusted clerk in a
bank with which we held intimate
business relations. Once, and only
onca, / thought ! detected that male
VIOLENT glance fixed upon me; but if |
was right it passed like a flash, and
was not repeated.
left the Day mansion with heart
that sang like II joyous bird. was at
peace with the whole world. Life was
II glorious, gorgeoussthing. The pur-
Pile bud OF hope seemed to be upon the
point of unfolding into splendid
Hover. Rut | was reckoning without
jerome Naylor.
As the days went by / became cog
infant Of whisper, whose source no
one could trace-a whisper OF some
thing wrong i'll the accounts of the
bank; OF money unappropriated, of
books falsiiied. Absorbed in my
dreams gave no heed to the change
in tho demeanor of my fellow clerks,
of the coldness Of my employer, of the
glee OF the cashier, Jerome Naylor,
until, without preparation, without
warning, the blow fell was 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
stared, stammered, stood thunder
struck, unable to defend myself. or to
comprehend the magnitude of the
crime of which | was declared guilty.
was commanded TO appear before
my employer, at his residence, to I'M
dergo an examination. When l 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 smio upon
his dark features, sat jerome Naylor.
LII IL lOuu, angry VOICE uenleu tnt
charge of long and systematic course
of pGculation, aud demanded the pro
duction of evidence. Mr.. Day looked
hesitatingly ut Naylor, who, drawing
his chair nearer the table, and clear
ing his throat, began:
81 am sorry to see our young friend
adopting this unwise course, know.
ing, as he must, that / have a comics
sion OF his wrong doing, under his
own hand and signature.
/ stared ut him open-mouthed. The
internal imprudence of the man abso
lutely bewilderad me.
eyes" he continued, In tone o
profound melancholy, "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, and
the fearful consequences of such ar
exposure, consented to condone his