Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1908-08-29
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BY }. LuDLuM LEE.


I'm line hour after hour waiting their
turn to withdraw their money, Pay
ang tellers worked with deliberation
that was maddening. Some days only
but still the line increased, hoping
against hope. For two days and nights
the figure of young girl had been
noticed. She was slowly working her
way to the front. At 2;45 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 a 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 un-
noticed. Then suddenly a tall man
appeared in the doorway behind her
Lillian Burkhart trembled as she
elutched the roll of bills, her teeth
shattered, the color faded from her
cheeks, and she was conscious that her
hands trembed 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 |
do anything for your" be 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 |
We're surmOunted by a handsome clear |
cut face; his whole appearance was
fautless. He glanced concernedly at
Lillian, whose color had not yet re-
turned and who seemed to tremble
from head to foot.
Really, l feel that must call for
assistance. viii you have a cab or
doctor? 1t would be nothing short Of
brutal to leave you here shivering like
that Are you i'll 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 she took a frmer hold on |
the bills
Eyes, indeed" said her companion.
'But never with that amount of mon
ey in my grasp"
Lillian started with sudden jerk at
the mention of her money and drop
ped the entire roll of bills. lie stoop-
ed to pick it up and after one wild
shrek she called distractedly:
"Stop thief! Stop, say"
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
a sickly little gurgle, saying:
Perhaps you're not thief after all
ARE you"
"No, Pm not! Are your" suggested
the man. 81 am merely one of the
many deposltors trying to get few
dollars. But you were more fortunate
than l. 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 | wanted to do, but
yous won't go away and let me. A wo-
man doesn't have pockets all over her
clothes like man. And, oh, wish
you would go, for I'm so hungry and
want to get home I've stood in that
line for nearly three days to get mon
ey for the landlord. My, but l hate
that man" she eXpostulated, with
shrug of her pretty shoulders.
"Well, I'll be on my way, and be
sure you tuck it safely away in its hid
ing place I'll promise not to look
back" He laughed and turned on
down the street
Lillian hurriedly slipped the bills in
the bosom Of her gown and nervously
started in the opposite direction to-
ward her little home. Her mother met
her at the door, and after some hot
luncheon the girl was equal to relating
her troubles.
"But, mother we have the money,
and that old Shylock can be paid III
take it around to him myself in the
morning and just tell him what |
think of him." said Lillian, with some
satisfaction and a threatening ntona-
ton of her voice
The next morning about 10 O'Clock
she started for the landlords Office,
and as she passed the long line wait !
ing at the bank she thought how fortu- |
nate she had been. Extras" were out |
saying that no more depositors would |
be paid.
Arriving at the offices of Payne &
Payne on Main street, she entered the
snug little reception room and asked !
for Mr.. Payne.
(Which one. ma'am?" asked the Of
flee boy at the door.
"Why. the one who owns our house
the cross one" she added by way OF