Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-19

could do, almost more. Providence had
not forsaken her and her stricken father.
Then Mike had hurried her to the buggy
just as Crane, leaving the beaten Dutch
man and Langdon, had come, asking Dixon
where Miss Porter was, that he might ten
der congratulations. He wanted to see
the boy that had ridden Lausanne also
wanted to take his hand and tell him what
a grand race he had ridden. But Dixon
had been ready with excuses; the boy, Al
Mayne, was dead beat after the race-he
was only a kid-and had gone to Dixon's
home. Miss Porter was perhaps in the
stand, or perhaps she had gone home also.
Crane knew OF Langdon's objection. 1t
was a silly thing, he said, due to over
eagerness. He had taken no part in It, he
assured Dixon.
Alan Porter. too. came into the paddock,
asking for his sister, but Jared pretty much
as Crane had. He would certainly find her
at the cottage. Dixon assured him.
That night Allis wired the joyful tidings
to her father and that she would be home
In the morning.
At last Pandora's box, from which, for
months past, evil fortune had been steadily
taken at Ringwood. was emptied. From
the bottom had come forth not only hope,
but a prize.
DR.. Rathbone's prophecy as to the proper
medication for John Porter stood a chance
OF being fulfilled In one day. Allis' tele-
gram proved that the doctor had under
stood the pathology OF Porter's treatment.
for he became as a cripple who hsd touched
the garment of a magic healer.
1t was thus that Allis found him when
she reached R~ingwood. Oh, but she was
glad, and small wonder. What she had
done was as nothing; 1t shrank into in
Significance under the glamorous light OF
the change that had come over Ringwood.
At the bank Town In the vlllaEe-welI. at
3 o'clock, Mortimer. feeling the virtue OF
an early effort, with the money of re-
demption in his pocket. entered into the
resumption Of his duties.
At the earliest moment after the vault
was opened he made his way to the box
that contained the Porter payment.
One thing troubled him slightly. 1t was
4 $1,000 bill that had been taken: the
money he had to replace was In hundreds
and ffties.
As he slipped them quietly into the box
he thought 1t wouldn't really matter. he
would transfer the $4,000 to the account
himself, and nobody would know OF the
change. Leaving the box where It was
for a little, in the way of subtle tragedy. he
came out and busted himself over other
matters.
To Mortimer's slight establishment. pre-
sentiy the cashier, Mr.. Lane, came out from
MS once, speaking somewhat carelessly,
said: Mr.. Mortimer. you have that Por-
ter note ana money In charge. 1t is due
today, isn't III"
Looking up. Mortimer saw Lanes eve
hxed upon his face with piercing intensity
He flushed out OF sheer nervousness.
Yes, sir" he stammered. at Is. I'll at
tend to It at once"
Ah!'-there was a peculiar drawI in
the cashiers voice as he spoke-"Ah. had
a communication from Mr.. Porter asking
IL the note had been paid
Mortimer felt his knees vlbrate-some-
thing was choking him. Had the devil OF
mischance taken the salvation Of AIan's
good name out Of his hands-had his work
been for nothing?
i couldn't understand IT," went on the
cashier. His voice sounded like the clanRor
OF a nre bell to the listening man, though
1t was evenly modulated. cold and steady IN
Its methodical precision. 81 thought
Porter knew the money was here to meet
the note said Lane. still speaking, but
my attention being called to the matter, I
, looked up the note. / found s 1000 missing -
He Was looking steadily at Mortimer; his
eyes we're searching the young mans very
soul. There was accusation, denunciation
adherence, in the cashiers gaze.
Il at once sent a messenger to ask Won
to return from your home at Emerson TO
clear up this matter; he discovered that
you had not been there. that your mother
Was not Ill. May I ask where you were
yesterday"
Il was At Gravesend. sir-at the races
answered Mortimer, dehantly.
This speech broke the lethargy that was
over hin; his brain cleared. be commenced
TO think sAnely.