Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-13
this answer, for he muttered,
.Nufiirn1lv

tHlS HHSWpT, lDG uc IuUlWTpU1
Naturally"
Although he only pronounced this
word. his voice, his manner, his face
clearly said:
This comedy is well acted, but new
ertheless it is comedy, and don't
intend to be duped by it,
ooh. don't be alarmed, monsieur"
said the banker. "This. house has 9th.
or resources. Have patience till my re.
turn"
He went out and up the narrow steps
leading to his study and at the end of
five minutes returned, holding in his
hand letter and a bundle Of securi-
ties.
"Here. quick, Couturier," he said to
one Of his clerks, "tske my carriage,
which is waiting, and 60 with mon-
sieur to NJ. de Rothschilds. Give him
this letter and these securities. In OK
change you will receive 3O0. 900 francs,
which you will hand to this gentle
man."
The iron founder was vlsibly disap-
pointed. He seemed to wish to apollo.
gize for his impertnence.
Il assure you, monsieur. that had
no intention OF offending. For some
years our relations have been such that
T.
Enough. monsieur" interrupted the
banker. 81 desire no apologies. In
business friendship counts for moth
ing. owe you money. am not ready
to pay you. You are pressing. You
have a right to demand what is your
own. Follow my clerk. He will pay
you your money"
Then he turned TO his clerks who
stood curiously gazing on and said,
"As for you, gentlemen, resume your
desks
In moment the room was cleared
OF every one except those who belong
ed there, and they SAT- at their desks
with their noses almost touching the
paper before them. as II absorbed in
their work. Still excited by tho events
so rapidly succeeding each other NJ.
Andre Fauvel walked up and down the
room with quick. nervous steps, occa.
sionally uttering some low exclama-
ton. Prosper remained leaning against
the door, with pale face and fixed eyes.
looking as If he had lost the faculty Of
thinking. Finally the banker. after n
long silence. stopped short before Pros.
per He had determined upon his line
of conduct.
1--WE must have an explanation" he
said. "I.et us 20 into your Office"
The cashier obeyed without word,
and his chief followed him, taking the
prccaution to shut the door after them.
Nothing In the cashroom bore ovi-
dence of the entrance of burglars. Ev-
erything was in perfect order. Not
even paper was misplaced. The safe
was open. and on the top shelf 10y scv-
eral roueaus of gold, overlooked or
disdained by the thieves. NJ. Fauvel,
without troubling himself to examine
anything. took a chair and ordered his
cashier to be seated. He had entirely
recovered his cquanimty. and his coun-
tenancc wore its usual kind expression
Now that we are alone. Prosper"
he said. "have you nothing to tell me:"
The cashier started. as if the qucs.
ton surprised him. Nothing. mon
scur, that have not already told you -
"What? Nothing? Do you persist in
asserting a fable so absurd and ridicu-
Ions that no one can possibly believe
It: 1t is folly. Confide in me- 1t is
your only chance of salvation. am
your chief. it is true. but l am. above
all. your friend-your best and trucst
friend | cannot forget that here If
teen years ago you were intrusted to
me by your father. and ever since that
day have | had cause to congratulate
myself Oh possessing your faithful
service. Yes, 1t is fifteen years since
you came to me. | was then Just com
nlencing to build my fortune. and you
have seen it gradually grow step by
step from almost nothing to its present
size. AS my wealth increased ell
dcavored to better your condition. you
who. although so young, are the Oldest
OF my clerks. At each inventory in
creased your salary
Never had Prosper heard his chief
express himself in so feeling and patcr-
nal n manner. Prosper was silent with
astouishment.
Answer" pursued NJ. Fauvel. "Iave
not always been like a father to you?
From the first day my house has been
open TO you. You were treated as n
member Of my family. My niece, Mad
eleine. and my sons looked upon you
as a brother. But you grew weary OF
this peaceful life. One day year ago
you suddenly began to shun US, and
since then
The memories of the past thus evoli-
ed by the banker seemed too much for
the unhappy cashier. He buried his
face in his hands and burst into tears
zone can contide everything to his
father without fear" resumed NJ. Eau.
vel "a father not only pardons, but
for3ets. Do I not know the terrible
temptations that in city like fari'
beset a young man? There are some
inordnate desires which break dowr
the firmest principles. Speak, Prosper
speak"
what do you wish me to say"
1.-The truth. An honorable man ma!
yield to temptation. but his first steI
toward atonement is confession. Sa,
to me: Yes, | have been tempted daz
zled. The sight of these piles of golC
turned my brain. am young. l have