The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-02-23

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cashiers manner affected me with an
inexplicably unpleasant sensation, and
turned again to my work.
I reached the Day mansion at an
early hour the next afternoon, and. as
I had hoped, yet feared, found Enid
alone in the drawing room. She did
not turn to meet me as I entered, but
remained standing near the window,
partly embodied by the curtain. l ad-
vanced toward her and timidly offered
my hand, which she did not seem to
notice. Resentful, yet loving hear-oh,
than ever-I drew back, and
said:
Your father invited me, Miss Enid
II thought you wished me to come,
or I should not have troubled you. 1t
is not too late now. You might CON
vey my excuses to your father, and l
will 60"
paused, hoping she would answer.
but, with her face averted, she re
manned silent. / waited q 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, a quick
tap of a little feet upon the carpet,
and my arm was caught and held I
paused at once, and looking down
caught the CLEAN of two violet eyes
lifted to mine-eyes that at once smiled
and reproached, promised n dreproved.
I turned and caught both the warm little
hands in mine, and, scarcely conscious
of what I did, lifted them to my lips
and kissed them in turn. Her name
seemed to tear itself from the depths
OF my bosom with an accent Of passion
and that must have told her my whole
story, had she been ignorant of it be
fore.
Enid! Beautiful Enid"
A wave of delicious color 8 Rept over
her face and throat. For a second her
hands trembled in mine, nay, chung to
them; her beautiful head dropped; her
eyes sought my eager gaze, and
fell, then, with a quick gesture, she
withdrew herself, and in cool, even
tones welcomed Mr.. Jerome Nsylor,
who pushed aside the portiere and
walked quietly into the room.
Had he seen; had he overheard any
portion of our interview It was i'm
possible to judge. He was g~Rllantly
respectful toward Enid, and frank and
friendly toward me. During the din
ner he conversed fuentIy, touching,
as it appeared, casually, upon certain
defaications Of q trusted clerk in a
bank with which we held intimate
business relations. Once, and only
once, l thought l detected that ma
levolent glance fixed upon me; but if l
was right it passed like a fash, and
was not repeated.
left the Day mansion with a heart
that sang like a joyous bird. l was at
peace with the whole world. Life was
a glorious, gorgeous thing. The pur
pie bud of hope seemed to be upon the
point of unfolding into splendid flower.
But I was reckoning without Jerome
Neylor.
AS the days went by I became cog
INFANT of a whisper, whose source no
one could trace-a whisper Of some
thing wrong in the accounts of the
bank; of money unappropriated, Of
books faIsifed. Absorbed in my
dreams I gave no heed to the change
in the demeanor of my fellow clerks,
of the GOODNESS of my employer, of the
glee of the cashier, Jerome Neylor,
until, without preparation, without
warming. the blow fell l was accused
of robbing the bank of funds entrus
ted to my care.
For the moment l was utterly
stunned, PROSTATE, helplessl 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 l was declared guilty.
I was commanded to appear before
my employer at his residence, to I'm
dergo en- examination. When I en-
tered the room, Mr. Day, looking sad
and grave, was seated before a small
table covered with books and papers.
At his elbow, with an evil smile upon
his dark features, sat Jerome Naylor.
In a loud, angry voice I denied the
charge of e long and systematic course
of population, and demanded the pro-
duction of evidence. Mr. Day looked
hesitatingly at Naylor, who, drawing his