The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-28

kindly advice when she had first taken
. position. aud during the entire two
years she had been with the bank be
had put her under heavy burden Of
gratitude. He had been kind to all the
girls, but II seemed 10 Daisy that hi
had been more watchful Of her inter
ests than OF the others, and now-n0w
she was being asked 10 make returnl
A step aroused her from her thoughts,
and she resumed her work just as the
president came down the stone stair
way 70 the basement Daisy's fingers
became nlmble again, and she tried to
keep all traces Of excitement from her
face.
Everything all rightT asked Mr.
Greenwell as he came into the COM
partment. "The count is correctT
There was note Of anxiety In bis
kindly voice Daisy wondered II be
had any suspicious. For moment
she was tempted to answer that all
was right She could give an evaslye
answer and warn Barker that he was
In danger OF discovery. Then came the
echo Of the words discreet and faith
full"
II would not be faithful to the bank
to hide the shortage. It could not be
that Barker would have asked her 10
hide his guilt. She looked brayely into
the presidents face.
Those packages are all Short she
said simply. They are mostly the
hundreds, but there are five thousands
too"
"Ask Mr.. Barker to come here" d.
rected the president. do not tell him
what Is the matter. Just say that |
want 10 see him here. Come back with
him"
AS quietly as she could Daisy sum
moned the cashier. They were at the
top OF the stairs when her courage fail.
ed. She could not believe wrong OF
the man she loved, and yet
''Thcre was a shortage" she whis-
pered. MIR Greenwell told me not to
tell you, but r.
Barker nodded understandingly, but
he kept Oh toward the basement, and
Daisy followed wonderingly. Green.
well looked up as his cashier came into
the compartment.
Il am sorry to say that your sus-
piclons are correct" he said sadly.
'Will you and Mlss-er'-
"Walling." supplied Barker.
"WIll you and Miss Walling figure
the exact sum? am afraid that 1t Is
worse than we thought"
Barker took his seat at the table op-
poslte Daisy, and the president re-
turned to the upper floor. As they
worked Barker explained that he had
suspected that the former old cashier
had resigned In fear Of discovery. 1t
was at his own request that the count
was being made before he became re
sponsible for the surplus.
1T won't hurt the bank" continued
Barker "Bryan's father will make
good the shortage. 1t is not as bad as
| had supposed. OF course you viii
say nothing of this to any one In or
out Of the bankT'
"Why did Mr.. Greenwell tell me to
tell yous" she asked curiously.
Probably that the others might not
overhear your message" explained
Barker. rs that why you warned
meY he went ON. did you think
that perhaps had been meddling
with the reserve?"
II didn't think that" denied Daisy,
with reddening cheeks, "but it was all
so strange and mysterious to me, and
II didn't want to feel that perhaps
hadn't been--faithful."
Il meant faithful to yourself" ex-
planned Barker, remembering his
words. 'Was 1t because"--
He did not complete his question.
There was no need. Eyes answered
eyes. But some days later, when the
gray haired president suggested that
married man was preferred by the
directors as cashier, Barker agreed
with him.
ITS all arranged" he declared. II
am going to marry Miss Walling, the
young lady who counted the reserve"
Greenwell nodded approvlngly.
''She will make an excellent wife,"
he declared oracularly. "You have
made an excellent choice, George"
And Barker agreed with him.