The Delta independent., 1900-01-12
DEvOi,D The GREEN
u BsI2E DooR
4 Wife For,es Her Husbands Sc
cTcr Chamber and Makes
q Discovery.


There was mystery beyond the green
baize door. tangible or intangible no.
body knew. since no one but Mr.. Blake
Iy ever saw the inside of the door
which shut his private room at Messrs.
Elakely * Stephens bank from the
narrow passage connecting 1t with the
general Offices.
Mr.. Blnkeiy was sole proprietor OF
the bank. which was the only one Ia
the town and showed every scmblance
of the soundes't financial basis.
Mr.. Blakely was man strangely de-
void of eccentricities. The chief faults
the bank staff found with him were his
indefatigability and that whenever
there was business TO be done in Lou
don-selling or buying stock. buying
cash. etc.-Ee Invariably attended to u
himself.
was seated nj the desk Of the head
cashier. who WAS away ON short holi-
day. one morning in September. when
one Of our clients entered the counting:
house.
mir. Boyton. look here" he said. slip
ping a crown piece upon the counter.
Where did you get II =:
whats wrong with it?" inquired.
examining It closely without noticing
any defect. did ! give II to your
Yes. Look at the edge. It's quite
smooth"
passed him two half crowns. and ~
lie went away Slipped the crown into
my pocket. Intending To keep II as .
curiosity. but later In the day. when
Mr.. BlakeIy was In the office. l showed
II to him.
"CuriOusv' lie muttereti. "One OF an
experimental mint. no doubt. for its
dated lSN;. DO you think we've any
others simiiar!'
No: | have been through them"
strange. Well. I'll keep II. II II
probably unique"
was disappointed with his decision.
Ms wanted the coin myself II was
against my principles. however. to pro-
test. forgot IL entirely until some
weeks later. when Mrs. Blakely. to the
utter astonishment of the banks STAFF.
turned up an hour or so before lunch
con time.
been married more than ten months.
Mrs. Blakely had never been inside the
bank. Now. she drove up in her car
riagc. came In proudly and asked for
Mr.. Blakcly.
I replied that IL she would step into
the waiting room I would summon him
Il. the usual way.
NO. Show me into his private room.
am Mrs. Biakcly." she said hastily.
"I.recognized you. madam" replied.
''But the rule is that all visitors who
ever they may he. arr. to be shown Into
tie Whiting room. where Mr.. Blakely
viii Interview them
.Norspnst-' she calculated. such
rules do not refer TO Mr.. Biakeiy's wife.
The room Is at the cnd Of the passa t.e.
Is il mott
You are putting me in an awknrd
posi,ion." replied. ~ am not allowed
TO let visitors approach, the green baizc
,,uor''-
"Ahr' Her proud eyes flashed. $50
there IL n green iaize door which no
one nppronchc~T''
When Mr.. Elakciy erme he did SO In
his hnbitunl IcisurrIy manner. and he
walked into the waiting room. leaving
the door niar.
MIR. BIakely.'' she said iau-i;tiiy. Il
have been in~uIt,-i Icy one of your
,isrks. Since when has your wife been
denied the right 10 enter your private
roomy'
Ever since she wrongly assumed
that she had -uch a right. Mary. NJ
clerks have their orders: they obey
them. You cauaot bIa me them for up-
holding rules ! myself have fram.d
What do you want: ! am very busy
this morning. The market is very IN
steady Just now
Tell me. I:icbar,'. lad you fnown
was coming would you have allowed
your clerk To deny me access TO your
private roomy' Mrs. I,Inkeiy inquired
The rule Is Of many years stand
ing. Mary" hc said deliberately. IF
il were set aside for you. IL would he
the thin end 81 the wedge. My vom
would no Ion GER he private
You indorsc your clerks ins;itT'
Il uphold my clerk who upliol,ls the
banks rulers
felt her brush past me as she came
out ~ the rounI and saw her walk
ruunI the desks her nIs- tIi,f,tiy COM
Pvyscd aud her head vevy high,
The following morning when ! turn
Ell up ~ the innk the porter met me
with the inquiry. had ! seen anything
of Mr.. Blsk-Iy? No one hsd seen him
since The bssk eiosed tire might fsefore.
He was not In the haak-had mt bees
home-inds-si. u wss Mrs. Blakeiy whs
he'd drives dowu the nrst thing To 10