Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05

toward the bank, at so rapid a pace as to
Indicate that she did not wish an escort
The bareheaded official found his anger I'M
accountably deserving him, while a great
fear that he had put his foot in 1t took its
place.
Really" said the lieutenant gently, as
they STROBE along together, IAN official In
your position should be good judge of hu-
man nature. How any sane person, espe-
cially young man, can look at that beau
tiful girl and suspect her of evil, passes my
comprehension. DO you know her?
NO" said the cashier shortly. do
your
The lieutenant laughed genaIly.
Still suspicious, eh?'' he asked. mo, L
don't know her, but to use a banking term,
you may bet your bottom dollar I'm going
to. Indeed, L am rather grateful to you for
your stubbornnesS in forcing us to return.
It's a quality 1 like, and you possess it in
marvellous development, SO l intend to
stand by you when the managerial censure
is due. I'm very certain / met your man
ager at the dinner they gave us last night.
Mr.. Morton, isn't he"
Yes" growled the cashier, IN gruff de-
spondency.
"Ah, that's awfuIly jolly. one of the
finest fellows I've met In ten years. Now.
the lady said she was acquainted with him
so If don't wheedle an introduction out OF
him. 1t will show that man at dinner
and a man IN & bank are two different In
dividuals. You were looking for plots; SO
there Is mine laid bare to you. It's an
introduction, not gold, IN conspiring for"
The cashier had nothing further to say.
When they entered the bank together he
saw the clerks all busily at work, and
knew that no startling event had happened
during his absence. The girl had gone di-
rect to the manager room, and t1ither the
young men followed her. The bank mana
ger standing at his desk, trying to pre-
serve a severe financial cast of counte-
nance, which the twinkle in his eye belied.
The girl, also standing, had evidently been
giving him rand sketch Of what had
occurred but now fell into silence when &C
cuser and accomplice appeared
The advent of the EngIishman was god
send to the manager. He was too courte-
Gus gentleman to laugh in the face of a
lady who very seriously was relating
a set of incidents which appealed to
his sense of humor, so the coming
of the lieutenant enabled him to switch
off his mirth on another subject,
and in reply to the officers cordian Good
morning. Mr.. Morton" he replied:
Why, lieutenant, I'm delighted to see
you. That was very jolly song you sang
for us last night III never forget 1t. What
do you call It? Wilmington Fair?" And
he laughed outright, as at a genial recoi-
lection.
The lieutenant bIushed red as a girl, and
stammered:
Really. Mr. Morton. you know. that's
not according to the rules of evidence
When fellow comes up for trial, previous
convictions are never allowed to be men
toned till after the sentence Whiddiconb
Fair should not be held against me In the
present crisis
The manager chuckled gleerully. The
cashier, when he saw how the land lay,
had quietly withdrawn, closing the door
behind him.
Wen. lieutenant, I think I must have
this incident cabled to Europe" said Nor
| ton. so the effete nations of your CONT
nent may know that a plain bank cashier
isn't afraid to tackle the British navy In
! deed, Mr.. Drummond, If you read history
| you VIII learn that this Is dangerous coast
| for your warships 1t seems rather inhos-
/ pltaDie that a guest OF our town cannot
/ pick all the gold he wants out of a bank
1 but cashier has necessarily somewhat
| narrow views on the subject. l was Just
/ about to apologize to Miss Amhurst who Is
valued client of ours, when you came in.
| and hope, Miss Anhurst," he continued
gravely turning to the girl, that you will
/ excuse US for the Inconvenience to which
| you have been put"
, "Oh, 1t does not matter In the least re-
| piled the young woman. with nevertheless a
| sigh Of relief. 1T was all my own fault In
| so carelessly leaving the money. Some
| time, when less in hurry than I am at
| tho present moment. 1 will tell you how l
| came TO make the blunder"
Meanwhile the manager caught and IN
| terpretcd correctly an imploring look from
| the lieutenant.
before you go. Miss Amhurst. will you
| permit me to introduce to you my friend,
| Lieutenant Drummond OF II. NJ. s. Con-
| sternation."
| This ritual to convention being per-
| formed, the expression on the girls face
| showed the renewal of her anxiety to be
| gone and as she turned to the door, the
| officer sprang forward and opened 1t
| for her. II the manager expected the
| young man to return he was dis
| appointed, for Drummond threw over his
| shoulder the hasty remark:
Il Will see you al the club this evening""
| whereupon the genial Morton finding him
self deserted, sat down In his swivel chair
| and laughed quietly TO himself.
| There was the slightest possible shade of
annoyance on the girls face the sailor
! walked beside her from the door of the
managers room, through the public portion
of the bank TO the exit, and the young
man. noticing this. became monentarily
tongue-tied, but nevertheless persisted, with
| a certain awkward doggedness which was
| not going TO allow so slight hint that his
| further attendance was unnecessary to baf-
| fife him. He did not speak until they had
passed down the stone steps to the pave
ment, and then his utterance began with
a half-embarrassed stammer, as IL the