Connecticut western news., 1899-10-19

said MT. Johnson.
 "Well, I want to borrow e20 tC buy bicycle. Therel" said the girl with decisive tap of the parasol upor the floor. "You see, I've spent every penny of my quarters allowance, and there's still a month before I've any more due-and simply must have that bicycle, and I looked over all the ad- vertisements about money and I saw yours, and so came to you"
 "Might I inquire what name, ma am i'' said MT. Johnson.
 "Oh, I'm Miss Lattimerl Of course you know my father, Mir. Robert Lat timer F''
 Certainly" replied MT. Johnson, more astonished than ever. "I've no doubt that he'd buy you a bicycle now"
 "No, he won't He thinks two hun. dred year quite enough for a girl 10 spend. No; shall have to buy my own i bicycle"
 MT. Johnson took the quill pen out of the feathered end of it.
 "I'm afraid your father wouldn't ap- prove, ma ann he began.
 "Oh, but he's not to know, you know. This is little deal just between you and me. After all it's not getting things on credit, is itf Because the money will really be mine when you've lent it to me, won't it
 "Ye-es," answered Ma Johnson. "Ye-es."
 "That's all right, thenl'' said Miss Lattimer triumphantly. "Wen, have I got to sign any papers or anything, MT. Johnson 2"
 "It is usual to make inquiries before completing. "Oh, but I've no time for inquiriesl" exclaimed Miss Lattimer. '1've got to meet friend at the cycle agents in an hour Ohl Look herei I'll leave you my card, MT. Johnson, in case you want my address
 MT. Johnson looked at the bit of pasteboard and then at Miss Lattimer. Something impelled him to rise and un- lock safe which stood in corner of the office He fumbled about and final lOQI IO uO1CEs hCW AIOh the Bank of England. ....-
 "Well, ma am, said MT. Johnson, "it isn't my usual way of doing busi- ness, but"-and there he paused. utter ly unable to explain matters to himself. "When did you say you could pay it back. ma 'amP''
 "Oh, on the 1st of July" replied Miss Lattimer. That's scarcely a month, is it ?''
 ''Then l may expect to see you on the 1st of July, ma'amf" said MT. Johnson, laying down the notes.
 Certainly you mayp' exclaimed Miss Lattimer delightedly. Thanks, awfullyl" She stuffed the notes into a gold mounted purse and smiled at MT. Johnson with all the innocent pleasure of a child who has got what it wants. But we haven't arranged anything haven't 1 to sign paper or anything" '"
 ''I think" said MT. Johnson slowly, ''that we'll leave that over until you pay the money, ma'am. I'll only charge you reasonable interest for such short loan. Of course, ma am, you Il not mention this little transaction to anybody" he added, anxiously. We always keep these matters quiet-very quiet"
 ''Oh, to be suref' laughed the girl. "Well, thanks. MT. Johnson, and good by, You'll see me on the 1st of July dead certain, you know '
 On the 1st of July MT. Johnson sat in his office in a state of nervous ex- pectancy, but the nervousness had nothing to do with the money which was due from Miss Lattimer. All the morning he waited and all the after noon, and still she came not And then as evening drew near the postman brought registered letter, and MT. Johnson opened it and drew out e20 in notes and e1 in gold and note that smelled of violets- ....
 After a long time MT. Johnson rose from his desk and locked up the notes in his safe. Then he took the sovereign in his hand and went out into the street. He presently came to the little shop of working jeweler and entered it timidly. When he came out again, the sovereign hung on his simple watch chain, and his fingers felt for it and ca ressed it as if it had been live thing. And that was the end. d.-Hartford Cou- rant. .... ...r