Daily camera., 1897-08-21

sir. what shall I do?" hardly
np in nv CONSERVATION what l
aying. Its gone! all gone!"
Sat's all gone? Your wits? Are
sk?" Mr.. Perry asked.
esthe treasurer uttered an eX-
.tion and pointed toward the re-
vault. Mr. Perry craned his neck
-lanced inside Then he turned
VITO me, and his face was as white
shirt bosom.
nv, God Almighty, Conway,
e'sall your currency?" he asked, in
2 tones.
ont know. sir. l left" began,
ne president cut me short.
it that that's gone? You mean
a? How could it be? Who could
entered the vault? You did not
III & ct to lock up yesterday did you?"
|4 - sked, with terrible earnestness.
70, indeed" l answered. The
II was locked at usual. | set the
n epiece for half past eight L ex-
l ted to be on hand and get things in
pc Tor the examining committee"
4 as And you have just discovered the
"a -"
'#f"Yes, sir. I went out of town last
,evening, and returned but few min
utes ago.
$50 then the lock was unprotected by
= the timepiece whole hour before the
bookkeepers arrived" Mr.. Perry said,
with a most piercing glance thrown at
me.
Jackson promised me he would be
here in my place. faltered
jackson! What has he to do with
the vault? He doesn't know the com
bination, does he?"'
''No, sir. 1t was only to have an en-
ploye in the room after the timepiece
had run down, that asked him to be
present"
Call Jackson Mr.. Perry requested
of the treasurer.
While that gentleman was gone on
his errand, Mr. Perry and I made
hasty search through the other com
partments: We found some of them in
disorder, and, Judging from appear
ances, many bonds missing.
The .2resident was completely over
whelq by this new discovery. He
stoo zing at me with look of the
gre1 it anguish on his white, drawn
Mr.. Perry" cried, "as God hears
NJ know nothing about this. Oh, be-
liz me, | am innocent"
No one has accused you, Conway, so
f he replied, seriously and with sig
n cance.
You cannot think had anything to
d6~with it," 7 went on. "You know I
have never betrayed. any trust which |
have heldln-tf1ts oanll."
MY Godi don't know what to think.
I can't think. You never told anyone
the combination" the president sud
denly asked.
"Oh, no, no; l have never breathed
figure of il to living SOUL" answered,
earnestly.
'Who besides yourself knows how
to open the vault?"
'1rhe bond teller and the receiving
teller" L replied.
"And they are away on their vaca-
tions, are they not?"
"Yes. SIR | faltered, for OWNED the
meaning of his questions.
Here the treasurer returned. followed
by Jackson. "Were you here this morn
way you would be?" the president
asked Jackson.
Jackson glanced around in surprise
at the group he saw inside the vault
at was an impossibility for me to full
fill my PROMISE" he answered. IAN
aunt of mine over in Camden who has
been i'll for some time died last even
ing, and, as | 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 win until
this morning, and 1 had only just ar
rived at the bank when Mr.. Smithson
(the treasurer) informed me you
wished to see me-"
Then he added, in deep concern: 81
sincerely hope the inability to keep my
promise has not been the cause of any
trouble"
"Well, 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
ry said, after long pause.
II intended to ask leave OF absence
for few days. Jackson began, in a
hesitating manner. "But if anything
has happened which would prevent
your granting it"
NO, no, nothing has happened which
would keep you here. Your request is
granted. Every consideration must