Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-01

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There was run on the Ilion Nation
al bank, and depositors were standing
in line hour after hour waiting their
turn to withdraw their money. Pay
ing tellers worked with deliberatioL
that was maddening Some days only
half a dozen people would be paid off,
but still tie line increased, hoping
against hope. Foo t'so days and nights
the figure Of a young girl had been
noticed. She was slowly working her
way to the front At 2:6 p. m. on
the third day she was admitted to the
bank and withdrew her entire account.
To avoid confusion depositors were
admitted at one door and passed out
through side entrance, and as she
emerged from the latter she cast hur-
ried glance about her. She gave a
sigh of relief when she saw that she
was quite alone and apparently I'M
noticed. Then suddenly a tall man
appeared in the doorway behind her.
Lillian Burkhart trembled as she
clutched the roll of bills, her teeth
chartered, the color faded from her
cheeks, and she was conscious that her
hands trembled visibly. The man look
ed at her sharply. stepped forward
and asked If he could be of service to
her.
"You seem to be in trouble. Can l
do anything for you?" he asked, with
some concern
"You can go away" she managed to
answer.
The man calmly proceeded to button
his heavy ulster, slipped his hand in
the pocket thereof and pulled out a
heavy pair of gloves, which he drew
on slowly. His tall, broad shoulders
were surmounted by handsome clear
cut face; his whole appearance was
faultless. He glanced eoncernedly at
Lillian, whose color had not yet re-
turned and who seemed to tremble
from head to foot.
Really, feel that / must call for
assistance. VIII you have a cab or a
doctor? 1t would be nothing short of
brutal to leave you here shivering like
that. Are you III or simply cold?
insist upon knowing"
Lillian was forced to look at him
again, and it seemed to give her cour-
age to speak.
Were you ever hungry" she muir
INJURED as size took a firmer hold on
the bills.
Eyes, indeed" said her companion.
"But never with that amount of mon
ey in my grasp"
Lillian started with q sudden jerk at
the mention of her money and drop
ped the entire roll of bills. He stoop-
ed to pick it up, and after one wild
shyiek she called distractedly:
stop thief! Stop, | sayv'
The crowd was massed in front Of
the bank, and the cry seemed to have
passed unnoticed. The man picked up
the bills despite her exclamation and
handed them to her. Lillian laughed
q oiShis httic buiEicf Shs iuBs
perhaps you're not thief after all
are your
mo, I'm not! Are your suggested |
the man. II am merely one Of the |
many depositors trying to get few
dollars. But you were more fortunate
than /. When / reached the window
the cashier pulled It down. saying it
was o'clock and too late to draw.
Better put that wad out of sight and |
not tempt the hysterical mob outside"
he added.
That's what l wanted to do, but
you won't go away and let me. A wo-
man doesn't have pockets all over her
clothes like a man. And, oh, | wish
you would go, for I'm so hungry and
want to get home! I've stood in that
Inc for nearly three days to get mon
~ for the landlord. My. Dut l hate
hat man" she expostulated, with a
,hrug Of her pretty shoulders.
We'll. I'll be on my way, and be
sure You tuck IL safely away in its hid