Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-03-17
ACLEW BY WIRE
Or, An Interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD M. YOST.
Copyright. 1896. by j. b. Lippincott Co.
CHAPTER III.

What could 1t mean! My head swan,
my breath came in gasps, the cold per-
spiration broke out on my forehead and
rolled down my face. For few mo-
menst / stood with every muscle par
alyzed. Then / sank down upon the
ledge and covered my face with my
hands.
The porter, who had just come into
approached me.
whats the matter, Mr.. Conway?
Are you sick?" he asked.
His question partially aroused me.
"Call the president and the treasurer,
Mason. Quick! Tell them to come into
the vault" l managed to gasp.
"Why-why-what can be the mat
ter?" the porter exclaimed.
I sprang to my feet and confronted
him. cannot tell what expression was
on my face, but he slowly edged away
from me.
Good God, man! don't stop to ques-
tion! Go, quick!" He went out imme-
diately at my vehement appeal, and
soon the president and the treasurer
came pustling in.
whats up, Conway?" the president,
Mr.. Perry, asked. "Why, man alive,
how white you are!" he added, looking
searchingly at me.
"Oh, sir, what shall I do?" hardly
knowing in my CONSERVATION what
was saying. Its gone! all gone!"
"What's all gone? Your wits? Are
you sick?" Mr.. Perry asked.
nv
clamation and pointed toward the re.
serve vault. Mr.. Perry. craned his neck
and glanced inside. Then he turned
quickly to me, and his face was as white
as his shirt bosom.
"Why, God Almighty, Conway
where's all your currency?" he asked, in
hoarse tones.
'I don't know, sir. 1 left" began
but the president cut me short.
''Is it that that's gone? You mean
stolen? How could it be? Who could
forget to lock up yesterday, did your
he asked, with terrible earnestness.
mo, indeed" I answered. "The
vault was locked at usual. 1 set the
timepiece for half past eight L ex-
pected to be on hand and get things in
shape for the examining committee"
"And you have just discovered the
loss?"
eyes, sir. I went cut of town last
evening, and returned but a few min
ties ago."
$50 then the lock was unprotected by
the timepiece q whole hour before the
4 :, Il
with most piercing glance thrown al
me.
jackson promised me he would bt
here in my place" faltered.
jackson! What has he to do will
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 timepiect
had run down, that I asked him to bt
present"
Call Jackson" Mr.. Perry requested
of the treasurer.
While that gentleman was gone OF
his errand, Mr.. Perry and 1 made {
hasty search through the other com
partments. We found some of them il
disorder, and, judging from appear
ances, many bonds missing.
The president was completely over
whelmed by this new discovery. He
stood gazing at me with look of the
greatest anguish on his white, drawn
face.
"Oh, Mr.. Perry" cried, cas- God hear:
me, l know nothing about this. Oh, be
Geve me, 1 am innocent"
"No one has accused you, Conway, sc
far" he replied, seriously, and with sig
nifcance.
"You cannot think had anything u
do with it," went on. "You know
have never betrayed any trust which
have held in this bank"
"My God! don't kROw what to think
can't think. You never told anyone
the combination?" the president sud
denly asked.
"Oh, no, no; I have never breathed I