The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

I him? Clara asked, becoming very Sc
rious.
My deaer Clara" said Elsa, 81 shall
/ never speak to Clifford Swon again"
ivOh, don't say that, Elsa! Please.
| Why won't you!'
Il shall never have a chance. I-know
that man too wen And you, Of all peo-
pie
"Why me- Of all people?"
Hes positively afraid OF you. He
thinks you the most formidable tease
| on earth. and he can't stand teasing"
Then what do you think he'll do2'
MY own private belief said Elsa,
/ speaking very deliberately. ais that he
/ viii pack up and go 10 the Klondike with
| out saying a word TO anybody
The catch I'm her friends voice as she
/ spoke these last words brought a most
unusually serious look to Cara Hen
| derson's nabitually jocund face which
was still glowing under the combined
| influences OF laughter and rapid bicy-
Gle ride.
~I1lsa. she said, give me that letter"
"What are you going 10 do with It?
| No, 1 can't Clara. IL viii look Ike run
ming after the man..
well then goodbye. What time IS
, &C.? Ten minutes TO three. Goodbye.
What are you going TO do?'
81 want my letter"
"Your letter.
eyes, you must have sent me some
letter, or young Nick wouldn't have
brought me Mr.. Swan So
But It doesn't matter. I can tell you,
now you're here. II was TO meet me
about that picnic. you know
Never mind" sold Clara. I'm going
10 have my letter"
And she whirled away much as she
had come only without the laughter.
Clifford Swan was sitting at his desk
on his high stool. experiencing cold
chills, wondering how man SO easily
upset as he was by q trihe could have
held his position in a bank all these
years and risen-repeating 10 himself
mechanically, "Can these things be, and
overcome us ike the shadow OF a cloud?'
Still moro wildly imagining what Elsa
Davis had said in the letter, wondering
how much of Il Clara Henderson had
read, and dreading her terrible laugh.
But he would not face that terrible
laugh he thought. he would sooner make
a viii, leaving everything he had 20 Esla,
and then
MIR. Swan" said the young clerk.
who was becoming really uneasy by this
time "a lady wishes 10 see you
Tell the lady I'm very busy
The young clerk stared at what seemed
TO him the obvious untruth of the ale
cation. but nevertheless he took the mes
sage to the paying tcller's window in
the from Office.
Mr.. Swan, the lady says she has some
very important business to settle with
YOU. and viii you please speak to her for
two minutes
who is the lady?'
Il know her face, but slre dS9n't give
me her name. She wears brown vel
veteen bicycle
Light hair done up in a con?"
The young clerk nodded.
Mr. Edwards" said swan. Il don't
think I'm very well to-day"
81 noticed that you weren't looking well
before YOU went TO lunch"
Mr.. Edwards l think I'll 80 home for
to-day. My wheel is In the back hall.
L think. Please tell Mr.. Gllnn. I'll be
all right tomorrow
The young clerk stared and walked
away 10 the front OF the bank. Then,
as Clifford Swan reached his hat and
turned TO 80 to the back hail. he heard
a ripple of feminine laughter echoed by
half a score Of clerks.
Hell 90 out OF the back way sup
pose. Thank YOU" sounded IN tho dread
ed voice OF Clara, the tormentress.
Clifford Swan thanked his stars and
the city authorities that the street be-
fore the back entrance 10 that bank was
paved with asphalt and not thronged with
vehicles at that hour. over the asphalt
he sped longing TO look behind him,
but afraid 10 attract attention If he
seemed anxious as to who was following.
passers-by might think no was fleeing
from the bank and the law On he went,
not knowing exactly where TO speed 10,
until, after a brilliant quarter Of
mile he came 10 the South Pike and its
familiar smoothress allowed him TO
turn into IL. As he' turned ne ventured
10 look over his shoulder and saw. no.
body Of whom he need be afraid. So on
he pedalled.
After the most unpleasant three min
utes spin he had ever known on that
road. he was beginning 10 hope that he
had escaped Clara Henderson's terrible