Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-12
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
Counting the Reserve. BY Henry Hasling
copyrighted 1908. by the Associated Literary

George Barker. the newly appointed
cashier, moved rapidly between the
rows of desks which lined the walls Of
the accounting department. Daisy.
bending over her huge volume, flushed
as she caught sight of the tall, soldier
ly figure, but her face turned white
and tense as she saw how grave his
expression was. Clearly something had
happened.
Others perhaps might not have no.
ticed the change In his expression, but
to Daisy every shade of meaning was
familiar, and she knew that they must
be serious worries which took the smile
from Barker's eyes and made still
more grave the lines about the mouth
Ever since she had been in the
bank Daisy had made Barker her ideal.
1t was he who had indicted her into
the mysteries of4the savings depart
ment and had stood guard over her
ever since. He was always ready to
give her Il help over the hard places.
and Of late it had seemed to Daisy that
there was something more than mere
kindly interest in the steady gray eyes
as he looked upon her
Now he came TO stop before her
desk and bent over the book on which
she was working.
Miss Gibbins will look after your
book today" he said In a low voice.
Il want to have your assistance in
counting the reserve. The bank ex-
aminer comes next week, and we want
to see that things are all right"
II didn't suppose that you were to
know when the examiner camew cried
Daisy.
Barker smiled. but the smile was
mirthless
I'VE are not supposed to know" he
| admitted, "but there are sometimes
leakages in the banking department
VIII you come with me to the vaultsY
Daisy followed him to the basement
where the reserve vaults were located
| A steel cage formed of heavy bars in
place of the light nettings used on the
door above, was provided with table
and chair. Daisy took her seat be
fore the piles of bills with which the
table was loaded.
/ According TO the law. certain cash
reserve was required of the bank. and
1t was Daisy's task to count the pack.
| ages Of bills and make certain that the
contents agreed with the figures on the
paper bands. Barker leaned across the
table.
mike will take these away and
bring you more when you are ready
L no Sst hoxx TO oh
them on the slips"
Daisy nodded understandingly. Bar
ker turned away only to come bacL
and bend close to the curly brown
head
Remember" he said impressively
II have selected you for the counting
because You are discreet and faithful
This time the new cashier ascendet
the stairs. and Daisy's nimble finger:
made quick work of the bills. They
were for the greater part fifty dollar
notes In packages of hundred each
and Daisy dropped them into the DO,
at her side as she verified the count.
The porter brought her fresh sup
ply of higher denominations. and o
these she took more careful count
1 Several of the packages were short on,
or two bills. and these We're for S10'
and $500 each. The packages wer
tossed aside to be recounted later whel
the work should be done. 1t might b.
that some error had been made. ant
other packages might contain a bill o
4 two in excess of their supposed mum
ber
But package after package went t
swell the pile on the rough deal table
and there were none to balance th
shortage. Bankers words flashes
through Daisy's brain. She was to b
discreet and faithful!
Only two weeks back Barker ha'
been promoted to be cashier. Befor
| then he had been the assistant. and