Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-19

And you took the money yesterday or
the day before?"
II did not"
"Ah! Lane repeated in a dryer, moro
severe tone than he had used before. This
"ah" Of the cashiers, with its many grada-
tions Of tone, had been a most useful
weapon In his innumerable financial battles.
II could be made to mean anything,
everything; flung out at haphazard, it al
ways caught his opponent off guard. 1t
was a subtle thrust, and while one pondered
over its possible meaning, Lane could for
mulate in his mind more decisive express
sions.
"Ah," he repeated, "if you did not steal
this money, who did? And If you did not
take it, why did you put it back?'
With an expressive sweep of the hand
outward, the cashier stood, waiting, his
tall, narrow head, topped by carefully
brushed gray hair, thrust forward in the
attitude of a parrot about to strike with
its beak.
II can't answer those questions" an
swered the man he was grilling. The
money to pay Mr.. Porter's note is here,
and l fancy that is all the bank needs to
concern itself about. II was entrusted to
me, and now l am prepared to turn It.
over
quite true; ah, yes, quite true! But
1t might have been vastly different. That
Is the point that most concerns the bank.
Whoever took the money"-and he bowed
deprecatingly with ~ironical consideration
to Mortimer-"must have needed $1,000 for.
wholesome speculative purpose, perhaps.
Good fortune has enabled the someone to
make good and the money has been re-
placed.
Mortimer bowed his head in ac-
quiescence. What could he say--what
other stand could the bank take?
"You might remain at your desk" the
cashier said. "If there is any mistake
we'll discover II, no doubt"
Mortimer felt like one dead, indeed as a
dishonored man he were better dead. The
bank was like a mausoleum and he a lost
spirit haunting its precincts in quest Of the
undefled body that had been his but yes
terday.
Alan Porter was late; he had not come
yet. Mortimer waited In suffering sus-
pense for his appearance. What would
come Of It all? Now that the money was
replaced, II the boy admitted his guilt 10
Crane. probably no further action would
be taken, but he would be dishonored in
the sight Of his employers. Mortimer had
sought to avert this, had not denounced
Alan In the first Instance. BY good fortune
had been able to replace the money; even
how had divulged the name Of the thief.
He was well aware OF the mass of cir
cumstantial evidence, the outcome of his
own hurried actions that pointed to him
self as the guilty one. Better this than
that he should denounce the boy. Dis
honor to the lad might kill his father,
for Mortimer was well aware Of the doc
tors edict.
And Allis, the girl he loved as his life.
would hang her head in shame forever.
He was anxious to see Alan before the
cashier did. He did not want the boy to
deny taking the money at first, as he might
do II he were unaware OF the circum-
stances. 1t would place him in a wrong
light.
Just before IL Alan Porter came hur-
riedly in. He had missed his train the
night before he explained in a general
way to all.
Mortimer stepped up to him almost at
once. speaking with low. earnest rapid
ity. The cashier was in his own ONCE and
Mr. Cass was not within ear shot.
II put the money back. but it's loss had
been discovered yesterday. | have been ac-
eused OF taking II, but have denied It, ac-
cusing no one. I want you to say that you
borrowed It, thinking It no great harm, as
It was your fathers money"
Alan would have interrupted him. but
Mortimer said: wait till I finish" and
then continued; There will be nothing
done to you. I feel sure, II you take this
stand, because Of your fathers connection
with Crane. II will save me from dis
honor"
"hr. Porter" II was the cashiers voice
Of Damascus steel cutting in on Mortimer's
low. pleading tones.
Alan turned his head. and Mr.. Lane,