The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-01
The Pursuit Of Conscience.

Had it ever been made known that
Amos Dow, confidential man with
Reed & Co, bankers, had absconded,
there would have been great constern-
alton among those with whom he was
associated In afterthoug1t. the shock
might be somewhat subdued by the
fact that socially, he was almost a
reciuse and with him friends were a
rarity and nearly all men were treated
as acquaintance
The day that news of his enga cement
to Miss Sibyl Frost was announced it
came as a complete surprise to his en-
ployers. When they offered their con-
SratuIatlOnS he simply acknowledged
them with a curt nod of his head and
continued writing as if the affair was
not his. He kept on in his usual sys-
tematic way, and within a week of the
time set for his wedding there was no
indication on his part that his plans
were not to be fulfilled.
Dow was q man who did not attempt
to carry an air of mystery. His man
ner was always unaSSuming. yet when it
came to time of action requiring cool
ness, courage and determination, he
combined these qualities, which, with
a natural reserve, made him an ideal
man for the position which he occupied.
Mr.. Reed. the elder partner. was
sitting by the ticket, absently lingering
the tape. The house was long establish
ed and no blight had ever been cast
upon its name. He vas thinking Of
Amos Dow. Why shou4d sale and his
dence2 The amount which had taken
was hardly twice greatef<Faa1 the
check viii III they had intendt~gpres
ing him on his wedding day. And so
the matter was discussed behind closed
doors, with the result that when in
uuiry was made concerning him they
said that he had left them of his own
volition and that they had 10 informa-
ton concerning his future intentions
To Sybil. even though closer to Dow
than any other. he was a puzzle She
had tried to study him. but mad failed
In his varying moods ne mad never
spoken of his private affairs. nor had
he ever given her cause to suspect that
anything was wrong If he had any
secret past. it rested with him. To nef
he was the l1indest and nOblest of men
and she loved him and felt that the af-
lection was returned. She was OF a
constant nature and her confidence in
him was so great that nothing could
shake it. Thus when vague rumors did
reach her ears she believed in him ana
felt that his disappearance would eth
er be satisfactorily explained or tndl
! he had come to some foul end
Five years after the event of Dow's
strange disappearance a man, 9ale ana
careworn. with the look of one who had
/ suffered a great DEAL entered 4 san
4 Francisco hotel and registered. HIS
hair was prematurely gray. his eyes
were deeply sunken and u1na.uT2llsI
bright and he seemed to have hunted
4 look as if in constant fear. He went
to his room and, instead Of resting after
his Journey. paced up and down with a
1 quick. nervous tread. At one Tina he
4 stopped before a mirror, AMI, gazing a
the apparition reflected, shrank back in
I horror.
I have paid the penalty" he gasp
I rI
For a moment he seemed to hesitate
then drew a small pistol from Lis peck
ct He raised his hand
1T viii soon be over he muttsred.
His face was white and drawn: ne
breathed hard. For a. moment he paas-
ed. then his hand dropped nerveiess &c
his side.
Not yet he cried out in anguish
Il must first atone, and then
The man was Amos Dow. pursued b3