The Lamar register., 1901-08-21

ton! Go, quick!" He went out imme-
diately at my vehement appeal, and
soon the president and the treasurer
came bustling In.
whats up, Conwsy7" the president.
Mr.. Perry, asked. "Why. man alive,
how white you are!" he added, looking
searchingly at me.
"Oh, sir, what shall do?" hardly
knowing in my CONSERVATION what 1
was saying. Its gone! all gone!"
"What's all gone? Your wits? Are
you sick?" Mr.. Perry asked.
Here the treasurer uttered an ex-
clamation and pointed toward the re-
and glanced inside. Then he turned
quickly to me, and his face was as white
as his shirt bosom.
"Why, God Almighty, Conway,
where's all your currency2" he asked, in
hoarse tones.
"I don't know, sir. left" began,
but the president cut me short
"Is it that that's gone? You mean
stolen? How could 1t be? Who could
have entered the vault? You did not
forget to lock up yesterday, did you?"
he asked, with terrible earnestness.
mo, indeed" answered. "The
vault was locked at usual. set the
timepiece for half past eight 1 ex-
pected to be on hand and get things in
shape for the examining committee"
"And you have just discovered the
loss?"
ayes. sir. went out Of town last
evening, and returned but few min
utes ago."
$50 then the lock was unprotected by
the timepiece a whole hour before the
bookkeepers arrived" Mr.. Perry said,
with most piercing glance thrown at
me.
jackson promised me he would be
here in my place" faltered.
jackson! What has he to do with
the vault? He doesn't know the COM
bination, does he?"
"No, sir. It was only to have an en-
ploye In the room after the timepiece
had run down, that asked him 70 be
present"
"Call Jackson" Mr.. Perry requested
of the treasurer.
While that gentleman was gone on
his errand, Mr.. Perry and made a
hasty search through the other COM
partments. We found some of them in
disorder, and, Judging from appear
ances, many bonds missing.
The president was completely over
whelmed by this new discovery. He
stood gazing at me with a look of the
greatest anguish on his white, drawn
face.
"Oh, Mn Perry" I cried, "as God hears
me, know nothing about this. Oh, be-
lieve me, am innocent"
mo one has accused you, Conway, SO
far" he replied, seriously, and with sig
niflcance.
"You cannot think had anything 70
do with it," I went on. "You know I
have never betrayed any trust which I
have held In this bank"
my God! don't know what to think.
can't think. You never told anyone
the combination?" the president sud-
denly asked.
"Oh, no, no; have never breathed q
figure of II to q living soul" 1 answered,
earnestly.
"who besides yourself knows how
to open the vault?"
1.-THE bond teller and the receiving
teller" replied.
"And they are away on their vaca-
tions, are they not?"
ayes, sir" I faltered, for OWNED the
meaning of his questions.
Here the treasurer returned, followed
by Jackson. "Were you here this morn
ing at the time you promised Mr.. Con-
way you would be? the president
asked Jackson.
jackson glanced around in surprise
at the group he saw inside the vault.
"It was an impossibility for me to full
fill my PROMISE" he answered. IAN
aunt of mine over in Camden who has
been i'll for some time died last even
ing, and, as am her sole relative and
heir to what little she possessed, l was
compelled to go over to Camden last
night. i expected to return in time to
keep my word with Mr.. Conway. But
| was unable to complete the arrange
ments for the funeral and some other
minor matters relating to the will until
this morning, and had only Just ar
rived at the bank when Mr.. Smithson
(the treasurer) inforwed me you
wished to see me-"
Then he added, in deep concern: II
sincerely hope the inability to keep my
promise has not been the cause Of any
trouble"
"Well, whatever trouble there may
be. the blame certainly cannot be at
tached to you, Mr.. jackson, under the
circumstances you have mentioned.
You may return to your work." Mr.. Per-
ry said, after long pause.
II intended to ask leave of absence
for few days." Jackson began, in a
hesitating manner. "But IL ANYTHING
has happened which would prevent
your granting it,.
"No. no, nothing has happened which