Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-12-21

than discredit and consequent check
to Bertha's future promotion. 1t was
a rule that the examiner who over
looked a counterfeit or missing bill
should make good the value Of 1t. To
make good $1,000 would pretty well
ruin the Hacketts and old father Caleb
into the bargain. But 1t was his duty
to make the report to the Secretary
instantly, and with painful reluctance
he filled up the prescribed but seldom
requisite form. With slow, dragging
steps he proceeded with IT to the Sec
retarys private room, but halted with
his hand on the door. Suddenly tho
frivolous gossip on the veranda rushed
into his memory. Had Wilton Loring
had Bertha herself stolen the MISS
ing bill? What then? Shouio ne turn
conspirator and cover the fraud? No.
no; his duty was clear. He would not
allow himself to hesitnte, but knocked
at the door and entered.
But there was a respite for himself
and for his wife. The Treasurer him.
self was closeted with the Secretary.
"One moment, Mr.. Hackett! I'm en-
gagged" was the sharp, peremptory
dismissal, and he perforce withdrew,
postponing the declaration. AS he re-
turned stupefled to his desk clock
struck the hour of his luncheon inter
val. 1t was the custom Of the family
to meet at home for their midday
meal. He locked up the report and
rushed out of the Treasury. Flying
home on a cable car he found his wife
before him. Bertha sat at the table
like one in a dream. She did not raise
her eyes from the food that stood un-
touched before her Edmond himself
could not swallow morsel, but fur
lively watched his wife while the me-
gress who waited on them tarried in
the room. The moment they were
alone he leaned across the table and
whispered hoarsely:
You passed a packet to-day-a
packet of thousands"
The young wife looked up with .
start of surprise. The fear that was
written in her troubled face gave way
to flash of desperate hope.
at came to you?"
"One bill is missing"
"rhank God, you can pass IT,"
No word of denial. She instantly
assumed his power and his willingness
to save. She caught his recoiling
hand across the table.
For my sake-for your Bertha's
sake-you will, you will"
Edmond Hackett raised his other
hand to his damp forehead.
impossible, child-impossible! You
must be saved another way-if 1t be
not too late. Find the missing bill
among some papers, as II an accident
had placed it there. But whatever
you do, put it forward instantly. in
stantly!"
Il cannot, Edmond, I haven't the
bill"
"You did not steal 1t? oh. forgive
me- Heaven be thanked for that! It's
an oversight, then? Bad enough, but
not beyond repair. Make out your re-
port at once and send it in. You are
novice. The delay and irregularity
may be overlooked"
81 cannot do that Edmond. 1t would
cast suspicion upon the cashier who
forwarded the bills to the Treasury.
THAT is his affair. If the packet
was short when you counted it"
Edmond, why will you not ignore
the shortage? BY miracle 1t is in
your power to prevent the discovery
"It is not In my power"
How not in your power? The pack.
ct will go from your hands to the com
mittee, which does not count 1t again
and by it it will be deposited In the
macerator to be ground into pulp. II
would never be known that forty nine
instead of fifty bills had been de
stroyed.'
Bertha you forget the other half
.. have only portion Of the bills. Th'
upper section of your packet went t.
: the Registers Office to be counted
there"
Bertha Hackett grew white as deatf
and hot tears sprang into her eyes.
1--WE are rnined" she cried, unless
unless" Her glance from the win
dow perceived Caleb Loring entering
, the house. Here is father! He will
: find out who had the count at the Res
: lster's."
4 But the old man knew already. The,
. read it in his face as he confronte,
= them, closing the door. Whateve
!, hope he had cherished ON his home
4 ward way that he might find Berth
!. unconscious Of the storm that threa
J ened was dashed to tho ground tn
= moment he perceived her and her hui
bands agitation. The memory Of ths
evening ON the veranda burned in hi
q mind, and In fury of rage he deman(
Il ed fercely:
y, Daughter, what Internal thing
, this you have been doing? Are yo
:, mad? Is Edmond in it? Or has WI
> TON No, no! For Gods SAX
= don't tell me it is my som"
n Then Bertha, to her husband
"a amazement and dismay, fell down
:, her fathers feet and confessed tn;
"a she-she had yielded to temptatio
n and stolen the missing bill. She hu
"a riedly stated the miraculous chant
10 that had put Edmond in a position
save her. and interring from h,