The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-07-17
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and since Lincoln had educated him
and secured his position for him Oliver
adored him, The elder brother had
been in the employ OF the bank twenty
years when he was suddenly killed In.
a railway accident Oliver was at
once promoted to the place left vacant.
Its duties were the keeping OF an inn
portant set of books, and the salary
was $1,000 a year. Lincoln's death
was both bereavement and 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 ana
would be glad to make her his wife.
But since she had no property and
while his salary was meager he would
not broach 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
tion. 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 ct
all. When he did see her, with ample
opportunity to declare himself, she was
much disappointed. His manner had
changed. Whether II 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 q 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. Ho
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 II Lyman
said "No" to loan the would be bor-
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 tho
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 a 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 1t over and
would give an answer the next morn.
ing. His answer was new surprise.
He declined the offer, giving MS a rea-
son that he shrank from the responHi.
bility OF determining who should be
mnde 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 ren-
sons. but raised his salary.
When one of the directors Of the
bank who knew Grace Mackenzie told
her of this offer and its declination she
was more puzzled than ever. Oliver
continued 10 visit her, apparently took
pleasure in her company, but never
spoke 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 cnme over his fate that she
hastened 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 new cashier could be ap-
pointed, keeping his own position az
the same time. Before a new cashier
could be appointed the president had q
stroke of apoplexy, which forever rem.
dered him incompetent for business.
A meeting of the directors was held
and Oliver Lyman was called into thu
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
manently. After dellberation they Of.
fered him the presidency at q salary
of $4,000 n year He asked them II
they would discount his note for two
years without security for $4,000
They agreed to do so. Then he accept
Cd 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 had
SO long kept in a false position and
said to her:
Grace, am at last enabled to make
you an explanation-an an explanation for
you alone. When took the place Of
my brother, whom / loved better than
all the world, except you, I found Q
deficiency in his accounts Of $4,000.
That deficiency 1 have been carrying
and covering ever since Not a person
has the slightest suspicion Of It. Ny
salary will be $4,000 a year. / have
discounted It for two years and used
the money to make up my brothers De.
hciency. II you marry me we must
get on for two years on about 5000 q
year. After that we may spend all
my salary II we choose
Grace Mackenzie stood looking at her
lover wib' establishment till he had
finished, when she went to him and
put her arms about bis neck.
"And you bore the load alone With
out my sympsthyT
AMY B. KENNEDY.