The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-07-21
A RACE AGAINST TINE.
BY George G. Wallis.

Al Tue tlIue OF Tue luCIucut ON
about to relate occurred, I was q
clerk in a prominent bank in Ger
tain northern city, fairly industrious
I believe, and with strong hopes oil
early promotion. l was also in love
with a charming girl whose position
In life made my aspiration to her
hand appear foolish and presumptu'
GUS. On my not too extravagant sal
airy l had to support my mother, and
the thought Of asking Lucy Winter 10
be my wife was just precious Dream
OF the future.
One ever-memorable morning Mr.
Winter, who kept large balance with
us, came in with some bills and
check he wanted cashed. HIS &C.
count was a good one, but he pre-
ferred having an advance against
these bills. l happened to be taking
Jones place that morning as payer,
and the manager assured me the tran
saction would be all right. l cashed
the check for $500, and entered the
bills, Mr.. Winter being very cool tow
ard me on account Of Lucy. About
half an hour before closing time he
came in again hurriedly and asked Tor
a check l gave him one. He filled It
in quickly for $4,000, thanked me
CURLY as handed him the notes ana
hurried out. When, after shutting the
doors and balancing up for the day,
We found it overdrawn.
This was strange. Although he was
known to be sound" and his account
had always been more or less live
ly," commented on the deficiency to
the manager.
1--WE can let him oyerdraw a little,
said Mr.. Kerridge, easily. There are
the bills. Let ME have a look at
them"
l brought them to him.
But these are not Mr.. Winter's!"
said he. blankly. Look at the en-
dorsement-Cramp & Co."
There can't be anything wrong" l
ventured, in despair. Mr.. Winter
came in twice, and the last time he
was smoking a cigarette carelessly."
MI. w lllttl uS'Si oiiichSo SAso"A
cites. You ought to have known that.
This is a cleverly planned forgery and
PRESERVATION. The bills he showed you
at first were all right, you say. Did
you let them out Ct your hands? DIG
the supposed Mr.. Winter take them up
again to look at them before he
went?" -.-
"Yes," answered, remembering the
circumstances: but l did not think
anything -"
Never mind; the things plain
enough. OF you so at once, after I've
taken the number of these bills, so
that | can set the police at work.
Don't lose a moment"
I needed no urging, for If the mat
ter was not righted, ruin stared me in
the face. Acadia Villa, Fulwood road,
was right on the other side of the city,
and the break neck pace Of the han
som l rode in seemed like an inter-
minable crawl. 1t was nearly when
I got home. and found Mr. Winter
and Lucy-at home. They both looked
grave when l told them all.
Clever trick" exclaimed Mr. Win
ter. Didn't see any difference between
the impostor and myself? Hard lines
for you, young man, I'm afraid. Dis
missed at least, eh?"
Il daren't think all it will mean to
me, sir" said, looking at Lucy
Before her father could answer,
Lucy put in:
II think can perhaps help you a
little in tracing the thief. Mr.. Hens
worth. Just before you came in my
friend DOllie telephoned to me from
Coutt's Tea House-she's fond Of that
sort Of thing, you know-and casual
" mentioned that she'd seen father
walking up the approach to Victoria
Station. told her it was strange,
and meant to ask father about it. 1t |
must have been the man who person,
ated him."
1T must" said Mr.. Winter, consult
ing his watch. In that case, Mr.,
Hemsworth, he's doubtless getting in
70 the Liverpool train How-one