The Saint Paul globe., 1904-10-23
BY
VAN TAsSEL sUTPHEN
CHAPTER ~.
The Private Letter Box

H HAD agreed to meet Esper lndlman
at the Utinam and dine there.
The weather had turned cold
again, for it was the end of our
changeable March, and the fireplace in
the common room of the club was
heaped high with hickory logs, a cheer
ful sight, were it not for that odious
motto, Non Possumus,,' craven over
the mantel shelf where it must newt
ably meet every eye. Never could I
read 1T without a tightening at my
heartstrings; a potency of blighting
evil seemed to lie in the very words.
i There were but two or three club
members in the room, one of them the
young Mr. Sydenham, who had at
tracted my attention once or twice
before by the infinite wretchedness Of
his face. A mere boy, too, hardly
five-and- twenty at the most He sat
I'm a big chair, magazine with its
leaves uncut lying in his lap. For an
hour or more he had not stirred; then
he rang for a servant directing him to
inquire for any mail that might have
come in the afternoon delivery. Moth
ing for Mr.. Sydenham was the report,
and again the young man relapsed
INTO M6IduC1iOly A1OSA
later, and just after Indiman had joined
me, Mr.. Sydenham repeated his inquiry
about his letters, receiving the same
negative answer = Nothing for. Mr.
Sydenham." Evidently the disappoint-
ment was not unexpected, but it was
none the less a bitter one. With a
sigh which he hardly attempted to
stiffe. the young man took up his un-
IL, of
examining its contents; / watched him
with a lively but silent pity; any ae-
tive sympathy might have seemed OBJ
trusive.
servant stood at the young mans
elbow holding a salver on which lay a
missive of some sort, a telegraphlc
message, to judge by the fiimsy, buff
envelope.
Telegram, SIR, said the man at
length. For Mr.. Sydenham; yes, sir.
Will you sign for it,"
The boy turned slowly, and there
was a shaking horror in his eyes. that
made me feel sick. He signed the book
and took the message from the salTer,
apparently acting against sense OF
the most intense repulsion, and for all
that unable to help himself. The mes
sage once in his hand he did not seem
to concern himself with it's possible
import; presently the envelope. fell
from his inert fingers and futtered
down at Indimans fee5. Inc latIea Ter
picked it up and handed 1t to the
Young man, who thanked him in d
voice barely audible.
THE man is waiting to see if there
is any answer" suggested 1ndiman,
quietly.
Mr.. Sydenham started, colored deep
ly, and tore open the envelope He
read the message through cafetulIy,
then Derused it for a second and d
third time, and sat motlonless, staring
Indiman leaned forward. 'Well?"
he said, sharply.
The Young man looked up; the cool
confidence of IndimanS gaze seemed
suddenly to inspire in him feellng
of trust; he took the risk; he handed
the message to Indiman. What an
sWer would you advise me to giVe?''
'.Tbe Empire State express passes the
Fifty-third street bridge at $50 o'clock
tomorrow. morning You can, drop troIn
Answer. " o.
Indiman looked at me, then he rose
and took Mr.. Sydenham by the arm.
LET us go into the card room,' he said,
quietly '"Thorp, will you Gomez"
The young mans story was very
simple He had held until lately the
position of cashier in the firm Of Sand
ford & Sands, stock brokers. On Jan.
Is a shortage of $4,000 had been dis
covered in his books. Mr.. Sanford
being an intimate friend of the elder
Sydenham had declined to prosecute.
That was all.
Let US proceed frankly, Mr.. Syden-
ham, said Indiman. Did you take
the money!"
Il am beginning to think so.'' an
swered the young man, DULY.
Come" said Indiman, encouraging
", that does not sound like confess
sion of guilt. Don't you know?"
Mr.. Sydenham shook his head. 81
can't tell you,' he answered, hopeless
ly. My accounts were in perfect or