, 1905-11-22

the other depositors and stop the run,
he went over to the bank with Harri-
son and Bragdon. The tellers were
handing out thousands of dollars to the
eager depositors. His friends advised
him strongly to withdraw before it was
too late, but Monty was obdurate. They
set it down to his desire to help Barba-
ra's father and admired his nerve.
81 understand, Monty" said Brag-
don, and both he and Harrison went
among the people carelessly asking one
another if Brewster had come to with
draw his money. mo, he has over
100000, and he's going to leave It,"
the other would say.
Each excited group was visited in
turn by the two men, but their assur-
ance seemed to accomplish but little.
These men and women were there to
a V their fortunes; the situation was
desperate.
Colonel Drew, outwardly calm and
serene, but inwardly perturbed, finally
saw Brewster and his companions. He
sent a messenger oyer with the request
that Monty come to the presidents pri-
vate Office at once.
"He wants to help you to save your
money! cried Bragdon in low tones.
''That shows it's all up
Get out every dollar of it, Monty,
and don't waste a minute. It's a smash
as sure as fate" urged Harrison, a
feverish expression in his eyes.
Brewster was admitted to the colo
nel's private office. Drew was alone
and was pacing the fioor like a Gagged
animal.
"Sit down, Brewster, and don't mind
if | seem V OF course we can't
hold out, but it is terrible, terrible.
They think we are trying to rob them.
They're midwifery mad"
II never saw anything like it, colo
mel. Are you sure you can meet all
the demands?' asked Brewster, thor
oughly excited. The colonel's face was
white, and he chewed his cigar nerv-
ously.
1--WE can hold out unless some of our
heaviest depositors get the fever and
swoop down upon us. l appreciate
lOpA l. III al bhtI VI tIiLo hliiNts
coming so swiftly upon the heels of
the other, but l want to give you my
personal assurance that the money you
have here il safe. | called you in to
impress you with the security of the
bank. You ought to know the truth,
however, and | will tell you in conf
dence that another check like Austin's,
which we paid Il few minutes ago,
would cause us serious though tempo
rary embarrassment"
81 came to assure you that l have
not thought of withdrawing my de-
posits from this bank, colonel. You
need have no uneasiness"-
The door opened suddenly, and one
of the officials of the bank bolted in
side, his face as white as death. He
started to speak before he saw Brew
ster and then closed his lips despair
ingly.
"What is it, Mr.. Moore?" asked Drew
as calmly as possible. Don't mind Mr..
Brewster"
"Oglethorp wants to draw $500
said Moore in strained tones.
"Well, he can have it, can't hep
asked the colonel quietly. Moore look
ed helplessly at the president of the
bank, and his silence spoke more plain
ly than words.
brewster, it looks bad, said the
colonel, turning abruptly to the young
man. THE other banks are afraid of
a run, and we can't count on much
help from E1em. Some of them have
helped us and others have refused.
Now, | not only ask you to refrain
from drawing out your deposit, but
want you to help us in this crucial
moment The colonel looked twenty
years older, and his voice shook per-
ceptibly. Brewster's pity went out to
him in a flash.
What can | do, Colonel Drew he
cried "IIl not take my money out,
but | don't know how l can be of fur
Their assistance TO you. Command me,
SIR
You can restore absolute confidence,
Monty, my dear boy, by increasing
your deposits in our bank said the
colonel slowly and as if dreading the
fate of the suggestion.
You mean, sir, that l can save the
bank by drawing my money from 9TH
er banks and putting it here?' asked
Monty slowly. He was thinking hard
er and faster than he had ever thought
in his life. Could he afford to risk the
loss of his entire fortune OF the fate
of this bank? What would Swearen-
gen Jones say if he deliberately de-
DOSitel n vast amouut of money in q