Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-04-18
amount of his own, and the problem t,
him WINS how tn GET tho rest


him was how to get the rest.
At O'Clock in the afternoon he left
the office to think out the problem in
the quiet of his own rooms. He locked
the books and accounts In the safe,
intending to return later In the even.
ing, when all the clerks had gone. His
brain was In a whlrl, his heart torn
with conflict. AS he walked through
the streets, with his head bent down,
his light body seemed weighted with
lead.
Jasper Denman entered the office a
few minutes after Rawson had left.
He found among his letters an invoice
from firm with whom he had done
business for many years. 1t was mark
ed ITO account rendered" Now Jasper
always paid accounts when they fell
due, to the day. To him account rem.
dered" was an engagement unfulfilled
and an engagement unfulfilled was un.
thinkable to him. Moreover, he was
certain this particular account had been
paid, and he was irritated and annoyed.
He went to Rawson's office, opened
the safe. and taking out the books and
accounts. began to examine them.
There was the payment entered, clearly
enough. and yes. here was the receipt.
He turned from the books to lock the
door, then turned to the books again
He was engaged upon them when the
chief clerk knocked. Unable to enter,
the clerk called from the outside.
Are you staying, sir?"
The hoarse voice Of Jasper answered
him.
Yes, for awhile! Good-night!"
Goodnight, SIR"
Jasper heard the retreating footsteps
with a sigh of relief.
How weirdly silent everything seem.
ed now! Alone with these records of
shame and guilt In that great office,
every breath he took scorched him like
a fame. The man he had trusted, who
was engaged to marry his daughter,
whom he had decided to take into the
business. was-an INSCRIPTIONS thief.
At about 0 o'clock Jasper heard the
key turned in the outer door, and then
the sound of footsteps In the corridor.
He drew back the crimson curtain from
the glass in the door. and the light
from the room flashed on Rawson's
white face. Jasper unlocked the door
quickly. Rawson staggered in-stag-
gered In to see the open books and ac-
counts before his startled eyes.
"Well, Rawson," was Jasper's greet
ing, do you often work as late at
nights?"
at sometimes happens, sir" said
Rawson, pale to the lips.
Jasper took up the receipt which had
excited his curiosity when he first en-
tered the room. One thing, he thought,
in his swift judgment, will prove the
rest
did you write-that?" he asked,
and lie held out the sheet.
Rawson did not offer to take the re-
ceipt in his hand. The thought of the
old mans pride in his name, how he
would be broken on the wheel II he
was told that the culprit was the broth
er he loved and the partner In his bust
ness. rushed through Rawson's mind,
and he stood silent
Again came the insistent voice. 1t
seemed like a chip from Ice.
did you write-that?"
Rawson had made up his mind to the
lie, though he could have crushed his
questloner to the dust with word.
EYES," he said.
Jasper's hand went to Ills brow as be
roeled up against tho table. lie reeoy.
cred himself In an instant.
"yeu'ys destroyed ny thltk In msal''