The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-02-28

hSAS hlS OuSh OLl IAC lOA
maker, M. Fauvel said to his cashier:
write note to the bank for loan
of 100000 francs. Send at once. Let
the messenger take carriage"
Prosper did not move.
"Do you hear me?" said the banker
angrily.
The cashier trembled. He seemed as
if he was in stupor.
"It is useless to send," he said.
''There is credit to this gentleman Of
100000 francs, and we have less than
100000 in the bank"
M. de Clameran evidently expected
this answer, for he muttered:
Naturally"
Although he only pronounced this
word, his voice, his manner, his face,
clearly said:
'"This comedy Is well acted, but nev-
ertheless it is a comedy, and 1 don't
intend to be duped by it,
ooh, don't be alarmed, monsieur"
said the banker. ''This house has 9TH
er resources. Have patience till my re-
| turn"
AAS "SAAe OdS anu uP thC 1Idl1OW 0tCpG
leading to his study and at the end Of
five minutes returned, holding in his
hand letter and a bundle of securi-
ties.
"Here, quick Couturier," he said to
one of his clerks, ''take my carriage,
which Is waiting, and go with mon
| sieur to M. de Rothschild's Give him
md
change you will receive 100000 francs,
which you will hand to this gentle
man."
The iron founder was visibly disap-
| pointed. He seemed to wish to apollo
| gize for his impertinence.
81 assure you, monsieur, that I had
no intention of offending. For some
| years our relations have been such that
| r.
Enough, monsieur" interrupted the
banker. 81 desire no apologies. In
business friendship counts for moth
ing. owe you money. am not ready
| to pay you. You are pressing. You
have right to demand what is your
own. Follow my clerk. He will pay
you your money.
Then he turned to his clerks who
stood curiously gazing on and said,
"As for you, gentlemen, resume your
| desks"
In moment the room was cleared
| of every one except those who belong
| ed there, and they sat at their desks
with their noses almost touching the
| paper before them, as If absorbed in
| their work. Still excited by the events
so rapidly succeeding each other, M.
Andre Fauvel walked up and down the
room with quick, nervous steps, occa-
| sionally uttering some low exclama-
ton. Prosper remained leaning against
the door, with pale face and fixed eyes,
| looking as if he had lost the faculty of
thinking. Finally the banker after a
long silence, stopped short before Pros
per. He had determined upon his line
of conduct
I'VE must have an explanation" he
said. LET US go into your Office"
| The cashier obeyed without a word,
and his chief followed him, taking the
precaution to shut the door after them.
| 4NOehihS III IAC CdSuIOOlu DOEG eNl-
dence of the entrance Of burglars. Ev-
erything was in perfect order. Not
even paper was misplaced. The safe
was open, and on the top shelf lay sew
eral rouleaus Of gold, overlooked or
disdained by the thieves M. Fauvel,
without troubling himself to examine
anything, took chair and ordered his
cashier to be seated. He had entirely
recovered his equanimity, and his coun-
tenance wore its usual kind expression.
snow that we are alone Prosper"
he said "have you nothing to tell me?"
The cashier started, as If the ques-
tion surprised him. Nothing, mon
sieur, that have not already told you"
what? Nothing? Do you persist in
asserting fable so absurd and ridicu-
lous that no one can possibly believe
1t? 1t is folly! Confide in me. 1t is
your only chance of salvation. I am
your chief, it is true, but am, above
all, your friend-your best and truest
friend. 1 cannot forget that here fif-
teen years ago you were intrusted to
me by your father, and ever since that
day have l had cause to congratulate
myself on possessing your faithful
service. Yes, it is fifteen years since
you came to me. l was then just COM
mencing to build my fortune, and you
have seen it gradually grow step by
step from almost nothing to it's present
size. AS my wealth increased 1 en-
deavored to better your condition, you
who, although so young, are the oldest
of my clerks. At each inventory in
creased your salary"
Never had Prosper heard his chief
express himself in so feeling and pater-
nal manner. Prosper was silent with
astonishment
"Answer" pursued NJ. Fauvel. Have
not always been like a father to you?
From the first day my house has been
open to you. You were treated as a
member of my family. My niece. Mad
eleine, and my sons looked upon you
as brother. But you grew weary of
this peaceful life. One day a year ago
you suddenly began to shun us, and
since them
The memories of the past thus evok-
ed by the banker seemed too much for
the unhappy cashier. He buried his
face in his hands and burst into tears.
"One can confide everything to his
father without fear" resumed NJ. Fau-