Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-03-09
WOODBURY. n J, THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1899

more ast0nished than ever. i've no
doubt that he'd buy you bicycle
now"
s'No, he won't He thinks two hun
dred year quite enough for a girl to
spend. No shall have to buy my own
bicycle.
Mr. johnson took the quill pen out of
his mouth and scratched his head with
the feathered end of it,
"Im afraid your father wouldn't ap-
prove, ma am - 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 it2 Because the
money viii really be mine when you We
lent it TO me, won't it?"
"Ye-es," answered Mr.. Johnson
ssYe-es.
''That's all right, thenp' said Miss
Lattimer triumphantly. "Well, have l
got to sign any papers or anything,
Mr.. johnson ?''
1T is usual to make inquiries before
completing.
"Oh, but I've no time for inquiriesl"
exclaimed Miss Lattimer. I've got to
meet friend at the cycle agent S in an
hour. Obi Look herel I'll leave you my
card Mr.. johnson. in case you want
my address. y
Mr.. 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 fumhled about, and final
ly produced four e5 notes. new from
the Bank of England
"Well, ma am, said Mr.. johnson,
sit 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 am"
'Oh, on the 1st of july" replied
Miss Lattimer. "That's scarcely a
month, is it2'
''Then may expect to see you on
the 1st of July, ma amp said Mr..
Johnson. laying down the notes.
Certainly you may'' exclaimed
Miss Lattimer delightedly. Thanks,
awfullyr I" She stuffed the notes into a
geld mounted purse and smiled at Mr..
johnson with all the innocent pleasure
of child who has got what it wants.
''But we haven't arranged anything
haven't ! to sign paper or anything H''
81 think, said Mr.. 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. 1--WE
always keep these matters quiet-very
quiet.
''Oh, to be surei' laughed the girl
"Well, thanks. Mr.. johnson, and good
by, You'll see me on the 1st of July
dead certain, you know 2
On the 1st of July Mr.. 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 a Registered letter. and Mr.
johnson opened it and drew out $50 in
notes and 81 in gold and a note that
smelled of violets
After a long time Mr.. 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 a working jeweler and entered
it timidly. When be 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. Hartford Cou-
rant.