The Lamar register., 1901-08-21
CHAPTER II (ContinuedD


terested in q few business ventures
with Mr.. Morley. Ny acquaintance ex-
tends no further" jackson said.
Ireturned to my lodgings light-heart-
ed and happy at the prospect OF again
seeing the sweet girl whom had loved
and worshiped for some time in secret.
So then Horace Jackson was ac-
quainted with Mr.. Morley. could not
but feel a greater respect for jackson.
For Mr.. Morley was one Of the most in
fuential and -thought-of men In
Philadelphia, and. besides. was one OF
the trustees of the bank. jackson had
never boasted of his relations with
such an influential man; indeed, had
never even heard him mention the fact
before this.
1 had felt all along that It would be
presumptuous for me to aspire to be
Florence Morley's husband. But this
evening she was 80 gracious. SO sweet
and lovable, that 1t was impossible for
me to resist the impulse to tell her OF
my love. To my intense happiness 1
discovered that my humble self was by
no means an object of Indifference to
her.
Mr.. Morley was of q dignified. COM
manding presence, and rather overawed
me. It would be no easy matter to ask
his consent to marry his daughter.
Florence was his only child. end all the
purposes of the fathers life seemed to
center in his motherless daughter. Still
knew must approach him some day,
and there was comfort in the fact TINT
he had always met me in kindly. II
dignifed and reserved, manner. He
Ind never given me any cause to think
that my attentions to his daughter
were obnoxious to him; but then those
attentions had been extended out Of
friendship only. How he would be af.
fected by the knowledge that was.
from this evening, the accepted lover Of
his daughter, ! could not surmise. i
could only hope that Florence's infiu-
encs, which was well aware was pow
erful with her father. might prevail.
The dear girls heart was mine Mt any
rate, for she had told me 20. and be-
Meved her words.
After the evenings enjoyment with
drew to the hotel near the depot, where
] passed the rest Of the night In happy
anticipations Of the future.
The train which took me back to the
city was a few minutes late, and when
arrived at the bank It lacked but ten
minutes of opening time.
Had I been late, either the president
or the treasurer would have had to be
called upon to open the vault, and 1t is
doubtful II either of them remem-
bered the combination. The bond teller
and the head receiving taller shared
with me the knowledge OF the combtna-
tion. but, as those two gentlemen were
away on their vacations at this time, i
was the only one besides the officials
who could unlock the vault.
The heavy outside doors were soon
opened, and, summoning the porter to
help me carry out the cash for the
days business, entered the vault
There were eight compartments In
side, the doors of which were provided
with combination locks.
One compartment was used for the
reserve currency, another for the re-
serve gold, and these two compartments
remained locked for long periods. The
remaining spaces were used for the
VI NhAloub bCSuiAtiCbt oAAAeSN
States bonds. mortgages for loans on
real estate, state and municipal bonds,
and for the gold, silver and currency
required in the daily transactions. This
cash was carried out in trays and placed
in the tills in the banking-room every
morning.
While unlocking the compartment, l
noticed with surprise that the lock of
the reserve currency compartment. just
at one side, was on the last figure Of the
combination, as though 1t had been al
ready unlocked.
grasped the iron handle, and the
door swung open. started back when
I looked in. What had come over me!
1 rubbed my eyes and looked again.
The place was empty; nothing to be
seen but the two shelves and the painted
steel back and sides. OF the $400, 900,
the amount Of the reserve, not one dol
lar remained.
CHAPTER III.
What could it mean! My head swan.
my breath came in gasps. the cold per
spiration broke out ON my forehead and
rolled down my face. For O few mo-