The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-10
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

What is it, MT. Johnson?' cried Lin gar, springing from his chair IFialdis is short s25o.ooo on todays slip Lingar gasped. but with his rcturnin, pulse his eyes flashed with quick glare
 We will not lose it." he cried. HI. nad tne money in his pockets when hs cannot get away. put a shadow on him tho moment he stepped out of the bank. judged that thief rightly Late that night Lingar and Johnson were going over the books when a knock came to the door of the bank. At sig. nal to the watchman, the door was operl. ed. and the thick-jawed. athletic lookine shadow entered. He had bandage oyer
 Whats this?' cried Lingar. x
 ..Wbom1bas Ms naC me r done up."
 Your man. Faldis. He hired half dozen Interstate Detective Agency men to slug me-"
 And he got away"
 Of course. but our office and all of our men are notified and every depot is watched. On, he can't get away for
 'It looks as if the Thirteenth National Bank was quarter of a million poorer tonight" said Ltngar in slow. despairing accents.
 When Lingar was alone in his carriage driving home, he gave way to his anguish and groaned aloud. He was realizing the enormity of the. theft that had at first stunned him. When he reached home the butler who swung open the door for him was In furry of excitement He took on his hat and gloves and overcoat and threw them to the servant. He strayed into the parlor and drawing room and when he stopped, tottered and clutched the portieres for support.
 .Faldisr' he shrieked.
 The butler. who had lowered near. n cid
 "Robber! In my house! Quick, Percy. sound the alarm!''
 No. no. papa. wait. listen to me- and Ethyl ran to him and put her arms of the butler were obeying the masters orders.
 My daughter-my child-are you inter- ceding for this thief?'
 "Yes. but we will confess all. Now can you forgive us?'
 We will confess! We! What do you mean? What part can you have in it?' I
 What pa,t have I in it?' she said insensble to to my my own Ai hearts pps desires % am had the eager part of one who loves. He has robbed my poor, dear papa, know robbed him of his darling daughter" arms around his neck and kissed him re- peatedly.
 The changing Of a brass gong sounded in the street. followed by rush of feet up the steps. The butler threw open the door and four policemen in uniform rushed in
 Whats the matter. Mir. Lingar?,' asked the sergeant of the police.
 Arrest that man."
 Ethyl swooned in Faldis arms.
 Wouldn't you better have an explana- tion first?' asked Faldis coolly.
 "Explanation? What can you say in s
 Let us excuse these officers first"
 Jjn0ar IonIad af Ept tdfc fiY1na then turning to the police he asked them to step out in the hall for awhile. You are a man or sense. so listen: I did not take the $2o.0oo. although it made an innocent victim, and l provided against it. My first provision against it, you have discovered at the bank, l be- leve The second was to get rid of your detective so that I could put the money away safely for future. emergencies. The third careful thing did to save me from the penitentiary was to marry your daugh- ter"
 Iingar stared at him dazed and va cantly, but waited for him to continue.
 Now I hardly think that you want to put the bank to the expense Of a quarter of a million dollars just to make con- vict of your son-in-law?
 Hut the money! Where is it?''
 "Oh, that is put away where no one but me can get it, all except $l,oOo that paid to have your detective taken om my trail. can turn over to you $2i9.e0o, or can keep it."
 Lngar was silent. his brows contracted
 "Of course, you have not talked much about this for the sake of the bank. have not mentioned it even to my wife; So you see we can still avoid publicity"
 Without a word to Faldis, Lingar walked slowly out to the hall. The po- licemen went away. He returned to the library. Ethyl had recovered
 oh papa you will forgive us, won you?" she sobbed.
 What else can do, my child?' he said. taking her in his arms.
 And Faldis stepped up to take the out stretched hand of his relenting father in-law.
 car Walton C'ooley