The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-06
HIS SECRET.
IOriginNi.l

ployed n the same bank. Oliver wos
ten years younger than his brother,
and since Lincoln had educated him
and secured his position for him Oliver
adored him. The elder brother had
been I'm the employ OF the bank twenty
years when he was suddenly killed in
Il railway accident. Oliver was az
Its duties were the Keeping OF an inn
portant set of books, and the salary
was $1,000 year. Lincou'S death
was both Il bereavement and Il blessing
to Oliver, ut least so ii was considered,
for his promotion would enable him to
marry Grace Mackenzie, with whoin
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 mcager he would
not broach the subject. She expected
that as soon ns he entered upon his
new duties, with their Increased pay,
he would make her II definite proposi-
tion. Oliver was very busy Mt the
bank for some time after his brothers
death, getting the run of the books he
was to keep, and scarcely saw G ace at
all. When he did see her. with ample
opportunity to- declare himself. she was
much disappointed. His manner had
changed. Whether 1t was the hard
work he had been doing or the increase
Of his responsibilities, he seemed ten
years older. Grace rallied him uDon
his alteration, hoping to get the cause.
but panied expression came to his
face, and she desisted at once
Oliver Lyman was as efficient n man
as his brother and had so good head
for banking that he was often consult
ed as to problems which came up In
the management of the business. He
seemed to have an lntuitivc knowledge
OF the value of properties. the credit OF
those applying for loans, and it was
understood at the bank that if Lyman
said mo" to n loan the would be bor-
rover was sure sooner or later To turn
out "a lame duck" 1t was not lony
before he was offered the position of
assistant cashier of the bank. with nm
increased salary, ana exclusive charge
of the credits.
When Oliver was Ca,lel Into the
presidents private office one morning
md the offer made TO him his countc
nance failed to light up with pleasure.
as expected. Instead of accepting II hc
asked time for consideration. The pres
idcnt. surprised, wished to know what
possible reason there could lie for con-
sidcring the acceptance of Il position
for which he was 50 we'll fittcl, cSDc-
cially as the wor'> would not bc CON
fining and the salary ample. But oil
yer said he must think ii over and
would give an answer the next morn
Ing. His answer was new surprise.
He declined the offer, Givn., as II rea.
son that he shrank from the response
bility Of determining whp should he
made the recipients CO the banks
funds; that, while he considered cor
tain men good ana certain mon bad
risks financially, In his heart he trust
ed no one. Feeling, rs h did, his du
ties would soon wear him out. the
pr" ihent reluctantly accepted his rcu-
sons hut raised his salary.
When one of the directors of the
bank who knew Grace Mackenzie told
her Of this offer and its dccliGatiom 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 animated that she might soon
have 10 announce her engagement to
another \ look Of such terrible suf-
fering cane over his face that she
FASTENED To reassurc him
One day the bank cashier rendered
his resignation, To take effect ut once
Oliver Lyman agreed to take his posi-
tion TIL new cashier could be an
pointed, keeping his own position at
the same time. Before Il new cashier
could be appointed the president had a
stroke of apoplcXy, which forever rem.
dcrcd him Incompetent for business.
y 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 ttil new officers could
be secured. He surprised them by
asking II they would turn over the
management OF the bank to him per
manently. After deliberation they of.
fered him the presidency at salary
OF $4,000 n year. He asked them IL
they would discount his note for two
years without security for $4,000
Ihey agreed to do so. Then he accent
ed the presiding and exclusive marl@.
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 no
did with the money no one knew. That
evening he called on the woman lie had
so long kept i'll false position and
said to her:
"GrnCc, ! nm at last enabled to make
you an explanation an explanation for
you alone. When | took the place of
MY brother whom | loved better than
all the world, except YOU, | found Il
deficiency In his accounts of $4,000 |
That deficiency | have been carrying !
and covering ever since Not person |
mas the slightest suspicion of It. My |
salary will he $4,000 Il year | have !
discounted ii for two years and used !
Ule money TO make m nv brpthpr'S do /