The Washburn leader., 1908-01-31

going to elope with Sydney, bit now
my place is by my fathers side, and 1
came to tell sgd that could not 60"
"But you were willing to sneak away
like couple of thieves and be mar
ried secretly" taunted Cyrus. 81 sup
pose that the plan was yours and you
entangled this boy"
"rhat is not So" said Sydney hotly.
ut has taken me a year and more to
persuade Eunice to clope. We knew
that there was no use asking either her
father or mine. and we did not see
why your absurd stubbornness should
spoil our happiness"
Cyrus stared at his son. Like most
men Of dominant personality, he secret
ly admired spirit in others. 1t was the
first time that sydney had ever taken
SO bold stand against Il parental edict.
and he felt thrill of satisfaction even
while he spoke.
II guess you'll find happiness without
having to 90 to Josh Whitehead's
daughter for it," he said harshly. i
want a girl l can recognize as my
daughter, not the child Of bank
wrecker."
Eunice sprang forward at the taunt.
"You are Il nasty. wicked old man.
she cried you know that you are
saying what is not true. l believe that
you started this run because you knew
that most of the country banks had
sent their surplus to the city to take
advantage of the money market. 1t is
you who are Il bank wreclicr ! hate
you"
She stamped her foot to emphasize
her words. and something in the ges-
ture brought back to Cyrus memory q
far earlier Gay when these same words
were spoken. He and Josh and Nellie
had been out nutting-three children
with no thought Of marriage.
He had killed bird with stone
and had brought it to Nellie, proud OF
his prowess. Instead Of the praise he
scoded him for his wantOn act
Eunice in her anger was very like her
mother, and the whole scene came back
to him as vividly as though it had been
an occurrence of the very day instead
Of reminisccncc Of forty years and
more.
He looked into the eyes that were so
like those he had loved in the long ago
and partly turned away. For the first
time he realized why Whitehead had
Won Nellie had admired his gentle
ness even while she feared Cyrus
roughness Perhaps. after all, he, Cyrus:
had been more to blame for his loss
than had his old playfellow.
"You two go on with your spooning,"
he said grufliy, and they could not see
that the shrewd gray eyes were filled
with tears.
Cyrus stumbled blindly along the
half defined path that led to the road.
He was living over again his boyhood
days, and he found therein much to re-
gret.
There was bowling mob about the
bank. The employees of half a dozen
big mills had taken the day off to res
cue their money from the fancied dan
ger and they clamored about the doors.
As.fast as those in the bank obtained
their money they were let out and
others were admitted. The tellers We're
paying out as slowly as possible in the
hope of being able to tide over the day.
On the morrow they might expect help
from the city.
Cyrus Ware stamped his way up the
steps, the crowd giving way before
him. The watchman at the door let
him in at once, and, without explana-
ton, Ware pushed his way into the
presidents Office, where Whitehead
puzzled over long columns Of figures.
He did not hear Wares entrance. and
not until Cyrus hand fell upon his
shoulder did he look up.
"Josh," he said thickly, 1--WE been 4
blamed fool for more years than care
to remember, but that's no sign I've
got to keep on to the end of my days.
I've got about 100000 out there in my
wagon. l want to open an account"
For moment Whitehead glanced
into the other mans face and saw III
his eyes the mute appeal for reconcile
alton which Cyrus could not frame in
words. Their hands met in q clasp
that wiped away the memory Of bitter
years, and together they went out Of
the Office to where guard of men
stood over the boxes. Already the
news that Cyrus Ware was going to
deposit had broken the rush, and the
crowd had materially lessened.
The two men stood on the step su-
perintending the removal Of the cur
rency. Cyrus passed Whitehead ci-
gar. "I'm glad I've squared up old
accounts in opening q new one," he
said, with ponderous effort at care
lessness. "You see, our young people
are planning to get married"
Repairing Clocks.