The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-09-17


courage did not escape. She arose,
went up to him and said:
II am glad you are here"
He raised his head. He could not
speak at first, however hard he tried.
Tears came to his eyes and then ran
down his face. Again Elizabeth said
and there was that in her voice to give
much weaker man strength:
Courage"
Young Gaylord's voice came to him.
He said
This means State prison"
Elizabeth shuddered. but William I'D
not. For a moment he was the
stronger of the two. AZ length she
said:
Not yeti"
Young Gaylord looked at her as II he
scarcely comprehended. Then she
added:
There is always hope
This reused him and brought him
back to himself He said:
Not for me-"
let lis see. Tell me ALL"
Have you not heard?"
Something from my father, but per-
haps not all. Tell me"
I'm four words: robbed the bank"
Yes. know. But that is not ALL"
and Elizabeth gently laid her hand on
his arm. II have come to see you" she
added, Ito help you, If can. VIII you
not trust me? am, know, only a
woman but. trust, a true woman, and
one who must be convinced that her
ideal of true manhood is unworthy of
her faith before she will give that
ideal up.
MY trust in you tells me that there
is something yet to be uncovered. and
may not one as leal as I am claim all
loyalty from you? Tell me all. william,
and then can decide fc~ myself that
which l cannot permit even you,
under cloud beyond which cannot
see, to decide for me. Come, then,
tell me ALL"
The young man looked at her stead
fastly moment and then said:
IL will tell you all. But, why should
1? 1t may break your heart for, sure
ly. it will shatter your faith where l
had rather be adjudged a felon than
have 1t broken. Besides. you may not
believe me. Your father is the presi-
dent OF the bank
But will believe you-I must be-
lieve you. My faith, unto the pleading
Of my heart, is pledged. My trust in
you is immutable until you have made
my mind turn traitor to yourself, and
led it to doubt my own sincerity. Do,
William. tell me ALL"
why should | break your heart, and
destroy in you a trust which must
make you miserable for life, and make
you despise me forever? 1t is better
that | should bear this burden alone,
for by so doing | may retain, or at
least some time regain, some share in
your esteam."
William, love you! Now, tell me
ALL"
Young Gaylord hesitated only un,.i
he had looked into her pleading eyes.
Her hand now clasped his own. He
saw her love in all it's sweetness and
purity unfolded as plainly as he had
an hour before seen the anguish upon
his stricken mothers face. He spoke:
God forgive me IL do wrong! You
remember, Elizabeth. that two years
ago | was made cashier of the bank
by your father. My hands were then as
clean Of crime as my mothers name
was above suspicion. | worked faith
fully. My salary was small. I do not
plead luis in extenuation of my error.
but 1t was wholly out of comparison
with my duties. The directors were
close fisted men. At the end of year
| asked for larger salary.
THE directors said they could get
competent and more experienced men
for what was receiving. My good
mother had only income enough to sus-
tain her properly, and my salary bare
ly kept me decently. l saw no pros
pect of making a home of my own
But | plodded along. Eagerness to ad-
vance in the world sharpens the wits
One day discovered that the directors
| your father included, were speculatinl
in a mining trust. One discovery LED
TO another. | was not long finding out
that they sometimes used the banl
deposits to add to their personal gains
1T was easy for me to persuade my
self that II the officers could maxi,
money in this way, could not fail t.
do SO. Six mon.ns ago | began to us'
my own money. had saved nearly {
thousand dollars. went into the min
ing trust. At first l made littl,
money, and had $500. Then l wen
deeper. Meanwhile the banks Officer
were speculating. The trust began Il
go backward and l began to steal
The officers were doing the same. The!
could keep going because their oppor
tunities were better. They had easie
access to the funds.
THE deposits were running low
Three days ago the officers called m
into their private room. They ha,
discovered my speculations and told m
SO. | confessed, and asked for thre
days In which to make my losses good