Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-01-12

Il SHALL HAyE TO GIVE o SOME GOLD"
SAID MARION SWEETLY.
sip, for Bert had been Il willing slave
to Marion ever since the days when
he used to drag her to school on his
sled.
Many comments had been made in
the postotfice and around the stove in
Van Zant's grocery, but after Ned Da-
Wis had been soundly thrashed by How
ard for suggesting that if the pair Of
tellers held their positions long enough
they would have no trouble starting
life properly there was an abrupt ces-
sation of this sort of gossip, and the
bank officers We're accepted without
further comment.
But it was not pleasant sailing for
Bert and Marion. He had been given
his position not because Prescott APP
proved of his suit for Marion's hand,
but because, like Marion, he had been
the most available person for the po-
sition. Prescott. in his hard, deep
pitched voice, had assured the young
man that if he ever caught a glimpse
of love making in business hours there
would be an imported teller in the
bank within twenty-four hours.
So it was that man and maid were
perforce content with such satisfaction
as could come from the knowledge of
the others propinquity, and even Tony
Dwight, who would have been glad to
to see his rival disposed of, could find
no cause for tale bearing.
Dwight, with Prescott. Bert and Ma
rion, constituted the clerical force of
the First National, and. oddly enough.
Prescott, usually an excellent judge of
character, favored Tony's aspirations
for Marion's hand. The one unpleas-
ant feature of her position was the fact
that she had frequently to consult
Tony as bookkeeper, and he never let
pass an opportunity to press his suit.
Then he agent of the Chester Bank
Vault company anne to Scarcrest one
noon hour, driving over from the near
est railroad town behind Il pair of
spanking bays. Curtis was the name
in n corner of the card he presented
to Prescott as he strolled u~nannounced
into the presidents office.
Dul SclllilS Dduk NdullS WIS liUL HIS
principal business, for after awhile
Prescott came out of his office. Here
is Il check for which Mr.. Curtis wants
the cash.. he said, thrusting the slip
of paper through the window to Ma
rion. You have a package of thou
sand dollar bills in the corner of the
small safe. There are twenty-five of
those. He will take the other half in
hundreds"
Marion looked c%uriously ut her fa-
theirs face, white and drawn.
Are you sure this is all right?'
Curtis laughed lightly.
You are not going to dishonor your
fathers own check. are your" he said
in careless fashion. Mr.. Prescott will
assure you that it is all right"
He moved closer to the bank presi-
dent. and Prescott, With the muzZle of
a revolver pressing into his side, could
only nod his assent. Curtis had as
sured him that ut the first sign of at
tempted communication with any of
the two clerks all would be shot and
he would be safe in the country before
the crime was discovered. Prescott
was a brave man, but he agreed with
Curtis argument that the money would
do him little good if he were to be shot
for refusing it.
Marion gave II more curious glance
at the pair and turned toward the
vault. In a moment she reappeared.