The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-25
A Twelve -Thousand-Pound
Cheque.


AsctS HE hour grew late, and Mr.
- Y Brand paced his chamber
u D in moody silence. The train
had come in, bu this mes
|fRoV senger had not returned,
ID the merchant was troubled; trou.
ed by a vague sort of doubt, which
hunted him in spite of his faith in
AXE. A merry, sober old trader of
ng experience had said that Lake
as too young to fill the important po-
ton which he held, but Blr. Brand
Dbd never found his trust in Tom mis-
|aced.
- Having heard rumors concerning a
6buse with which he had extensive
ealings, the merchant had despatched
axe to London, telling him to make
quiries, and in any case, to get the
hrtners Of the firm in question to set
their account.
i So Lake had gone from Liverpool to
pndon. The time appointed for his
turn passed, and still be did not
me.
la lady entered, and stole to the mer-
ant's side; her own sweet face was
hxious, and there was tremor in the
usic of her voice as she said:
'Do you think he will be here to-
8ght. dear papa?"
Fl hope so. Mary, but it is very
te."
IFS there no other train?"
Only the night express, and that
pes not stop, except at the central sta
bns."
'Perhaps he will come, papa; he
build not mind coming ten miles, even
he had to walk"
f'He should not have missed the
hin," said Mr.. Brand, sternly; "punc-
ality is am imperative duty with
len of business"
f'But, papa, something may have oc-
(rred to detain him."
i $'Nothing should detain 4 man who
rs given his word"
The fair pleader was silenced-her
|ther was angry, and knowing his
fictness of principle and how invet-
ate was his dislike to any breach OF
scipline or duty, she did not even
knture to sneak again.
~ q lL!!y lfe - r. ID
larry sat subdued and, quiet, watching
m. She saw that he was listening
the night express went whirling
/, and from the depths of her heart
ere went prayer that Lake would
me safely home. The girl loved him,
build have staked her life on his truth,
&d knew that he was not beyond his
ne through any weakness or wrong.
wo slow, weary hours passed. Mr..
rand was reading the commercial
Tvs; but for the first time in his life
did not interest him; he was think
g of the young clerk and the heavy
m of money that would be in his
ssession should the London firm have
hid him. And Mary, reading her
Ither's thoughts, felt panied and
billed by the slur cast on her lovers
bnesty by his suspicions-her every
ought was a denial to his doubts,
hid as the rapid clatter of horses
Fet rang odt, she ran to the window.
ELookw she said, dasbing the cur
ms aside with an eager hand: "look.
ok, papa, I said he would come-l
hew he would"
EThe merchants stern face relaxed
ith a smile of pleasure; he was not
1ncti,nai or demonstrative. but his
Aughter's gladness pleased him.
There were a few moments of ex-
aectancy. and then Tom Lake came in.
lie went straight to Mr.. Brand. only
bticing with a bow the lovely face
4hose glance thrilled his soul.
"They have paid" he said quietly,
j he placed a thick pocketbook in the
erchant's hand, "but 1 think We were
bly, just in time"
"Indeedw
"There was a consultation at the
hnker's before I could get the cash
pr the check
"Do you think they will break?"
"Hopelessly. They have given me
h immense order, but it would no.
wise to forward the goods"
"You did not hint that we had the
.ightest fear?"
"No; but I was glad TO get the
honey. Twelve thousand pounds
ould have been heavy loss"
"It would have done me serious in
lry just now"
"And yet" said Tom gravely. ''this
Morning the odds were considerably
gainst its ever reaching you
How"
Tom took two chairs and placed them
$de by side near the fire. led Mary to
he. and seated himself in the other.
He had done his duty as the mer-
3bant's clerk, and Eow was Mr.. Brands
Prospective son-in-law and partner.
81 had an adventure" be said;"L was
be hero OF a strange story in ride by
Express"
Mary bent forward to listen-Iom
4lasped her hand in his own. Mr.
Brand sat opposite them. interested by
he speakers manner as he began:
when I got the cheQue l had an
hea that all might not be we'll. so tc
bake sure l presented it to the bank
: RS. There was. as l told you, a con