The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-04-18
HIS SECRET.
[Original.l

and since Lincoln naQ educated MIN
and secured his position for him Oliver
adored him. The elder brother had
been in the employ of tie bank twenty
years when he was suddenly killed in
railway accident. Oliver was at
once promoted to the place left vacant.
Its duties were the keeping of an i'm
portant set of books, and the salary
was $4,000 a year Lincoln'S death
was both bereavement and a blessing
to Oliver, at least SO it was considered,
for his promotion would enable him to
marry Grace Mackenzie, with whom
he had long been in love.
While Oliver had not said so, Grace
had understood that he loved her and
would be glad to make her his wife.
But since she had no property and
while his salary was meager he would
not breach the subject. She expected
that as soon as he entered upon his
new duties, with their increased pay,
he would make her a definite PROPOSE
ton. Oliver was very busy at the
bank for some time after his brothers
death, getting the run of the books he
was to keep, and scarcely. saw Grace at
all. When he did see her, with ample
opportunity to declare himself, she was
much disappointed. His manner had
changed. Whether it was the hard
work he had been doing or the increase
Of his responsibilities, he seemed ten
years older Grace rallied him upon
his alteration, hoping to get the cause,
but panied expression came to his
face, and she desisted at once.
Oliver Lyman was as efficient man
as his brother and had SO good head
for banking that he was often consult
ed as to problems which came up i'll
the management of the business. He
seemed to have an intuitive knowledge
of the value of properties, the credit of
those applying for loans, and it was
understood at the bank that if Lyman
said "No'' to loan the would be Dor
rover was sure sooner or later to turn
out "a lame duck" 1t was not long
before he was offered the position of
assistant cashier of the bank, with an
increased salary, and exclusive charge
Of the credits.
When Oliver was called into the
presidents private office one morning
and the offer made to him his counte-
nance failed to light up with pleasure,
as expected. Instead of accepting it he
asked time for consideration. The pres
ident, surprised, wished to know what
possible reason there could be for con-
sidering the acceptance of position
for which he was so well fitted, espe-
cially as the work would not be con
fining and the salary ample. But Oil
yer said he must think it over and
would give an answer the next morn
ing. His answer was new surprise.
He declined the offer, giving as a rea.
son that he shrank from the RESPONSE
bility of determining who should be
made the recipients of the. banks
funds: that, while he considered GER
tain men good and certain men bad
risks financially, in his heart he trust
ed no one. Feeling, as he did, his du-
ties would soon wear him out, the
president reluctantly accepted his real
sons, but raised his salary.
When one of the directors of the
bank who knew Grace Mackenzie told
her of this offer and it's declination she
was more puzzled than ever. Oliver
continued to visit her, apparently took
pleasure in her company, but never
spoke a word of love- To test him she
once intimated that she might soon
have to announce her engagement to
another. A look of such terrible suf-
fering came over his face that she
| fastened to reassure him.
One day the bank cashier rendered
his resignation, to take effect at once.
Oliver Lyman agreed to take his posi-
ton till a new cashier could be APP
pointed, keeping his own position at
the same time Before a new cashier
could be appointed the president had a
stroke of apopleXy which forever rem
dered him incompetent for business.
A meeting of the directors was held,
and Oliver Lyman was called into the
room where they sat. He was inform
ed that he was the only available man
to run the bank till new officers could
be secured. He surprised them by
asking if they would turn over the
management Of the bank to him per-
nane.tlY After delberation they Of
fered him the presidency at salary
OF $4,000 a year He asked them if
they would discount his note for two
years without security for $4,000.
They agreed to do so. Then he accept
ed the presiding and exclusive manage
ment of the business of the bank.
The day he entered upon his new du-
ties Oliver Lyman received $4,000,
less interest, for two years. What he
did with the money no one knew. That
evening he called on the woman he ha
so long kept in false position anC
said to her:
"Grace, am at last enabled to make
you an explanations explanation for
you alone When | took the place of
my brother, whom I loved better than
all the world, except you, l found
deficiency in his accounts of $4,000.