Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1906-11-02

THE NEXT INSTANT SHE UTTERED A CRY
Lawrence viii show you the combina-
ton"
She did so after Graham had gone
There was nothing in the safe except
some new books of account. absolutely
blank. and large sealed envelope
bearing the name of Lingard * Co in
the corner and that of Miss Hllda Law
renee in the usual place of address.
Ii fell from n pigeonhOle while Har-
wood was rummaGlng In the safe and
he picked 1t up and replaced 1t.
THAT is my fortune" said Miss Law
renee. with n laugh.
"Indeed?' said he. Il trust that IL Is
large"
ITS large enough" she responded,
'only ii isn't worth anything"
How does that happen?"
She smiled at him sadly.
Did you ever hear of the Capital
Cities railroad:" she asked
HARDWOOD was aghast. SO this adora BILE
creature really was In the plot and by so
childish trick expected to lure him TO
disclosures,
Yes said he; I've heard the name"
My father lost his money in it," said
she. There are 100000 of the bonds in
that envelope, aud they are waste paper.
Yet he believed to the last day of his lie
that they would have value. and he
made me promise TO take care of them
and not to sell unless they were again
upon the market with a regularly quoted
price"
How does 1t happen that you have
them here?"
Il kept them I'm the safe at Lingard &
Co. s" she answered Naturally /
brought them here"
HARDWOOD rose and took a turn across
the room and back. OF course there was
nothing but waste paper In that envelope
He could break the seal-with proper
caution-when Miss Lawrence was out Of
the Office for luncheon and so satisfy
himself that she was truly a consplrator;
not because the act would be dishonora-
BILE, but for another reason altogether,
the thought nauseated him. lie looked at
Hilda Lawrence, and 1t seemed to him
dreadful stroke of destiny that she should
have come into his life to play a role so
mean. Then suddenly something within
him refused TO credit this. fought against
1t. overthrow suspicion and trampled on it,
Miss Lawrence" said he, there is
chance that your bonds will soon be
worth their face value or even more II
you will let me see them will tell you
the story"
Certainly" she said surprised, and
she broke the seal. The next instant she
uttered cry. and the envelope fell from
her hands. while many slips OF blank pa
per fiuttered down to the floor.
BE calm" said HARDWOOD. Answer me
one question. Did the bookkeeper at Lin
gard & Co.'S know that you had these
bonds in their safe?'
Yes" said she. II happened to tell
him"
He and Graham have put up this lob
to get them" said he. II thought they
were plotting against me. but it's clear
as day now that they took me for genu-
lne-for an innocent stranger who could
be lursd here to bear the blame of this
theft when you should discover It. |
have been an Incompatible donkey. But
wait"
He went to the telephone and called a
number.
Hello! l want to speak to Mr.. Stan
ton. Hello! Is that you, Joe? Well, I've
got down to Graham's game He has
stolen 100000 of c. c. bonds Get all our
sleuths out after him. What? What's
chat? He's there with the bonds Offering
them to you? Well, this is luck! Get a
policeman and-what? Don't ask any
more questions, Joe. Nab HIM"
Miss Lawrence" said he turning to
the girl, who stood amazed ~ you will
Join forces with my friend and me In the
matter Of the Capital Cities railroad
can assure you that your bonds will in
deed be fortune to you. And mean |
while they're safe. thank heaven! Shall
we shake hands upon our luck?"
"Yes-yes indeed!' said she