The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-09
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

, He felt that now. having made up his mind to do what was right, he could not sleep until he had forever put all temp | tation out of his way.
 ] So, with the memorandum in his pocket he walked rapidly until he came to the home of the banks. president. But at | the gate he hesitated. Then he turned back and walked slowly homeward. It was nearly daybreak before he at
 last fell into troubled sleep In which he dreamed of .Allene. with tear-dimmed eyes and white face. clothed in the rags of poverty. and shrinking, in her disgrace. from public gaze. So careworn was his face at the break
 fast table that hIs mother expressed fear that he was overtaxing> his strength. But he laid the blame for his changed ap-
 pearance on indigestion and hurried away after partaking of but a few mouthfuls. On his way to the bank he met Allene and at the sight of her fair. young face. his heart sang within him.
 T am so glad I met you George" she said Father is arranging to leave the city tonight. l do not know where he IS going, as he refuses to discuss his trip or say anything further than that he has been called suddenly away, and that his absence will be of indefinite duration. But George" and she placed her hand affectionately upon his arm and smiled up into his face, try to get an opportun- ity to speak to him today about-about our engagement. I am so anixous to know what he says"
 Blakely hardly knew what his answer
 was. The landscape seemed to whirl
 around in most bewildering manner, and he made the rest of his Journey to the bank in dream.
 Had he done right the night before? Should he have informed the president of the shortage. At the last moment he hesitated, beuevinE that he would be jus
 tified in first acquainting the cashier of the discovery. Somehow he could not bring himself to believe that Manning was an embezzler. Perhaps" he had reasoned, clinging to hope. perhaps l am
 in error. Perhaps he can explain away | the apparent discrepancy
 But now there was no more reason to ! hope. The cashier was planning to make l his flight that night. The exposure must He must act quickly. He must-But AL | lene. God help Allene!' he groaned. Unfortunately. or fortunately, per | haps the president was out of the city | For an hour Blakely deliberated upon | what course he had best pursue. He scrutinized the face of the cashier at his desk. Once Manning raised his head and their eyes met. In that instant Blakely reached a conclusion
 Thank God" he said to himself, there Is no deceit, no guilt hidden behind that open countenance."
 So confident was he that he had read
 the others face alright. that he almost
 smiled as he picked up his books and
 stepping over to Manning's desk request
 cd him to. accompany him into the presi-
 closed behind them, Blakely said:
 "Mr. Manning. I have been unable to
 balance your accounts. figure you
 twenty thousand dollars short. and can not find my error.
 X bright gleam sprang into the cash ler's eyes, but he gave no evidence of embarrassment. although Blakely looked
 searcdngly into his face. Let's see the figures Manning said. Blakely pointed out the discrepancy and | tho cashier looked up suddenly. Tt looks bad. doesn't it ,Blakely?' he
 said
 candtlly. 1t does look bad-on the face l Of it. But I know it must be an error | of mine. There must be some entries
 have overlooked. But I cannot find | them Wtit tears of gratitude springing to his
 eyes. Manning .clasped one of Blakely's s | hands in both of his
 Sod bless you for s0S your ,Sona Sonidence e
 am pleased that l have not been mis-
 taken in EIy opinion of your honesty, my | boz. The truth is that $20,000 was sent | to our New York correspondent but
 intentionally, omitted making ;I an entry 'l have lately become interested in a large I impo- ting house in Paris. I am going
 to New York tonight on business con
 nected with the venture. We will need
 manager-an American-one We car
 trust implicitly, and IT wanted to put
 your honesty to the test my boy. I have
 had you in mind for some time and
 wanted to ascertain if anything, even your regard for-for Allene. would prompt l you to do a dishonorable act. That is | the reason I omitted making that entry | in its proper place. I knew you would | discover the discrepancy and-and-well
 I was not mistaken in you. my boy" l He laughed softly, wringing Blakely S hand. and then, he continued:
 l ''Wonld you like to go to Paris Blake ly? There's five thousand a year in il aa6--well, I am sure Allene would enjoy [ Paris very much.'