Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-24

One afternoon he rushed hurriedly
into the bank. He just had letteF
from one of his best and wealthiest
friends in Boston. He was to have met
a Denver lawyer in st. Louis that very
day to pay balance OF $750,000 ON :
contract for mining lands in Colorado.
Business involving an enormous sum
kept this Boston man at home, and, de-
spite his wealth, he did not have the
ready money to meet the engagement.
Would his oldIfriend, known in st. Loub
as Lawrence Bochart. draw on his own
funds and look after the matter? There
was an assured profit Of a million, and
they would share it.
rs it all right" asked the presi-
dent, whowas dazzled with Bochart and
his apparently fabulous riches.
II would like to help my friend, for
II is my disposition. But let me insist
that you first telegraph my bank in
New York to see whether it will honor
a draft for the amount required. For
your kindness in the matter want you
to accept half the gain which my friend
would make through the deal"
II cannot think of It," replied the
president.
"nhen, sir, let me make it a wedding
present to your daughter. l have not
asked her hand, but, with your permits
sion, ! will do So"
II sent the telegram at once" said
the president to my unc,e and myself.
"Inside of half an hour had an an
swer, signed by both the president and
cashier, informing me that Mr..
Bochart's account was far more than
equal to the demand made upon 1t.
may have been blinded somewhat by
the impression the young man had made
upon me and the prospect of having
him for a son-in-law, but l took the
usual precautions, though the large
ness of the amount at stake might have
demanded more.
eve went to the hotel and paid the
: Nenver lawyer In currency. as exacted
by the terms of The contract. lie said
that ne would have preferred certi-
fled check, but he would be around
before the .close Of banking hours to
deposit the sum with us. lhadlno soon
er returned 10 the bank than | received
a telegram from the New York bank
saying that Lawrence Boehnrt lad no
account there and never had. Then II
came upon me with the force of ter
rIble blow that the wire must have
been tapped, that we were swindled aud
tint the bank was rlppledbeyond hope
Ct recovery. For myself, was ruined.
"0f course" continued the presidents
"the rascal who cut such wide swath
IN society, did not distribute his photo
graphs, but my daughter is something
of an artist and she sketched the fell
low from memory. Here he Is, and
we'd gladly give 100000 to recover tho
amount Of the robbery
The two older gentlemen took o loolk
Mt the picture and then passed II to
me, An exclamation OF surprise had
almost passed my lips, but ! was for
tune-seeker myself and here was an un-
expected opening. The picture was that
Of Fred Moren. Why should'I not win
the reward offered, for the recovery Of
this stolen money? lhad seen the wlre-
Taper and knew the man who had
SO successfully played his part In thu
set Of st. Louis.
Two days later was on my way to
join in the Christmas festivities to
which young Morell had invited me. /
md no idea that he would be there to
'eceive me, but then he was not the
thief attraction. | had said nothing to
he two old gentlemen OF what | knew
n what | had In mind. but / had de-
ided to play the novel part of de-
ective and lay the foundation for some
uch fortune as had always expected
0 inherit
Fred Morell met me at the door OF his
ome and a welcome could not have
zen more hearty. His mother was one
I the most gracious OF the old-school
ldies, and her daughter was even more
lscinating In her wondrous beauty
han when she had won my love beyond
ne ocean. | could not enjoy such hos
itality and then bring sorrow worse
nan death upon those who offered II.
asked private talk with Fred, and
'ankly told him what ] had learned
nd how ! had started out to recover
lie stolen money. There was mingled
lgcr and contempt in his face as he
1swered me.
you have taken me for a scoundrel
yaln,' he said, "but must admit tho
rce Of the evidence. Cousin Bob has
oxen ,oose once more. Seen apart we
i've always been taken one for the
her. lie is a wonderful man and his
Tents, properly directed, would win
m almost any position. But his In
nation is to go wrong and he does
1t restrain II. Your mission is to
ing him to book. II you like, | will
this far with you. He is rich through
herltance and fraud. Together we
III run him down and secure return
the money lost by the bank. We
III make him leave the country for
nd hut Npit mt croh N orro n ua,pnut