Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-03-22
CHAPTER III.


Now this error would mean more
than discredit and a consequent check
In Berthas future promotion. 1t was a
rule that the examiner who overlooked
a counterfeit or missing bill should
make good the value of 1t. To make
good thousand dollars would pretty
wen pir Hacketts and old father
Caleb INTO s-gain. But 1t was hia
duty to make his report instantly to
the Secretary. and with painful relucs-
ance he filed up the prescribed but
seldom requisitioned form. With slow,
dragging steps, he proceeded with it to
the Secretary's private room. but halt
ed with his hand on the door. Sud-
denly that frivolous gossip on the YER
anda rushed into his memory. Had
Wilton Loring-had Bertha herself
stole the missing bill? What then?
Should he turn conspirator and cover
the fraud? No. no. his duty was clear.
He would not allow himself to hesitate,
but knocked at the door and entered.
But there was no respite for him and
for his wife. The Treasurer himself
was closeted with the Secretary.
Zone moment, Mr.. Hackett! I'm en-
gagged" was the sharp peremptory dis
missal, and he perforce withdrew post
poning the declaration. AS he return
ed stupefied to his desk clock struck
the hour of his luncheon interval. 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
cable car. he found his wife there be-
fore him. Bertha sat at the table like
one IN q dream. She did not raise her
eyes from the food that stood untouch-
ed before her Edmond himself could
not swallow morsel, but furtively
watched his wife while the negress
who waited on them tarried in the
room. The moment they were alone he
leant across the table and whispered
hoarsely:
"You passed packet today-a pack
ct of Thousands"
The young wife looked up with a
start of surprise. The fear that was
written in her troubled face gave way
to fash Of desperate hope.
ut came to you?"
Zone bill is missing" .>
Thank God you can pass it,"
No word of denial. She caught his
recoiling hand across the table.
For my sake-for your Bertha's
sake-you will, you wilt"
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 1t forward instantly, in
stantly!"
II cannot, Edmond. haven't the
bill"
You did not steal It? 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 a
novice, the delay may be overlooked"
81 cannot do that, Edmond. 1t would
be to cast suspicion upon the cashier
who forwarded the bills to the Treas
ury."
THAT is his affair. II the packet was
short when you counted it"
Edmond, why will you not ignore
the shortage? BY a miracle 1t is in
your power to prevent the discovery"
st is not in my power"
"How not In your power? The pack
ct Will go from your hands to the COM
mittee, who do not count Il again; and
by them 1t will be deposited in the
macerator. to be ground into pulp. It
would never be known that forty-nine
instead of fifty bills had been destroy
ed"
bertha. you forget the other half.
have only portion Of the bills. The
upper section Of your packet went to
the Registers office TO be counted
there"
Bertha Hackett grew white as death,
and hot tears sprang In her eyes.
I'VE are ruined!" she cried, unless.
unless" Her glance from the win
low perceived Caleb Loring entering
the house. Here is father! He will
find out who had the count at the Reg
ister's."
But the old man knew already. They
read 1t in his face as he confronted
them. closing the door. Whatever
hope he had cherished on his home
ward way that he might find Bertha
unconscious of the storm that threat
ened was dashed to the ground the
moment he perceived her and her hus-
bands agitation. The memory OF that
evening on the veranda burned in his
mind. and in fury Of rage he de-
manded, fiercely:
Daughter. what internal thing is
this you've been doing? Are you mad?
Have you turned thief? Is Edmond In
II? Or has Wilton-No, no. For Gods
sake don't tell me It is my son!"