The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-10-14
PAYING OFF A DEBT.

OF his tether, and he knew it, He
made no fuss about the matter, and
any one of his friends who met him
that evening could not have told from
his manner was anything but wrong.
Grant had taken big chances to in
crease his fortune, and now he realized
the Jig was up; exposure might come
In a week. or 1t might be delayed for
month, but 1t was sure to come, un-
less he had one thousand pounds in
hard cash, and that amount he knew
he could not get.
Old Monckton,, Grants employer,
was hard-hearted old skinflint, who
would have no mercv when investi-
cation showed that his assistant was
defauter.
Young Monckton owed Grant money,
but even If he had paid it all that
night 1t was not enough to cover the
defalcation, and SO was useless.
He walked that night to his rooms
overlooking the Thames embankment.
He went to cupboard, and spent
some time in choosing with particular
care bottle of wine he intended to
drink. He poured out small draught
OF the beverage, and, taking a paper
OF morphine he opened it carefully
and sprinkled the white contents on
the surface Of the wine. He watched
1t as it slowly settled, and finally
disappeared in the liquid; then he
poured another glass of wine and
drank 1t of. There was no hurry
about drinking the poisoned cup; he
had all the night before him, so he
drew his comfortable armchair up
to the fire and sat down wondering
who would find his dead body in the
morning. At last, taking up the pio-
soned glass, he paused for moment
with it in his hand, thinking he heard
a step on the stair. The next mo-
ment his surprise was certainty, as
some one raped at his door. Hastily
putting down the glass he shouted:
Come in" forgetting the door was
locked; then he rose hurriedly, drew
the bolt back and opened the door.
"Hullo, Charley" Grant said when
he saw who 1t was. The son of his
employer entered with radiant look
on his face
well, Stillman. / have come to
secure my debt to you. l have made
up my mind that you shall not suffer
by my having borrowed money from
YOU"
"Oh, that's all right" said Grant
carelessly, II don't need the money"
No. l know you don't need it,"
said Monckton, "but it struck me
that II anything happened to me my
father would never acknowledge the
debt, and you would be out just that
much"
1t doesn't really matter, you know"
said Stillman Grant in the same un-
concerned voice. II shall always be
happy to lend you money when you
need it and have it,
Thanks, old fellow, 1 know that"
said young Monckton. you are as
generous as the old man is stingy.
Nevertheless, l got a windfall the
other day, and the minute l received
the money l thought of you"
"Ah," said Grant, with his eyes
Frightening somewhat. How much
Five hundred pounds in a lump"
answered the other.
"Oh,' said Grant in a disappointed
tone.
you don't congratulate me-" cried
young Monckton. Five hundred
pounds are not to be scoffed.,t"
NO" replied Grant still $500 isn't
a fortune, you know"
1T isn't, but it might be turned into
tidy sum of money. Now, let me
tell you what / have done, Grant.
know will never be able to pay you
that sum Of money; If l became a
partner in the business it might be
different, so l took part of the $500
and insured my life for f2,000 making
it payable to you at my death. If l
am cut off in one of my sprees, which
is more than likely. then you will get
back all your money with interest at
several thousand per cent"
AS the young man said this he drew
rom an inner pocket what Grant saw
was evidently an insurance policy.
There you are, my boy, with the
first years premium paid" said
Moackton, as he threw the policy on
The table. 'I'll leave it with you, be-
cause you are steady, sober fellow.
If can't pay the next premium when
it falls due you'll pay it for me and
charge it up to the account l already
owe you. You see, my friend, you are
quite safe as far as your money is
concerned"
WELL" said Monckton, 81 must be