The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-07-15

IN very Ddu ondDCs AL uhCApCStCu
financial disaster had shaken the old
merchants confidence in himself. He
realized, too, that he was carrying a
load that man of his years shouldn't
attempt TO shoulder alone.
Things went from bad to worse.
Ramsey kept his own counsel as he
kept his books. He felt that there
was no one about him that he could
trust with the story of his troubles.
AT home there was no one save his
daughter Ruth. And she was only q
girl.
And then the continued worry
brought natural result. The mer-
chant collapsed at his desk one warm
afternoon and was carried home.
He had fought them when they
tried to take him away. He had
moaned and wrung his hands when
he was put to bed.
Ruth" he had wildly called.
She was by his side, bending over
him, but he didn't know her.
A blessed Inconsistencies came
upon him and when he awoke the
next morning he was like little
child.
ut may be months before he is
himself again." said the old doctor.
"Perhhps his memory will never come
back. He worked his brain beyond
the limit. Some great trouble must
have possessed him. Have you any
idea what 1t was?"
"He never confided In me-" said
the girl, sadly. There was side of
my father that l never saw. When
he crossed the threshold of home he
seemed to put away all his cares
but lately / have noticed that he
brooded at times and that he would
forget that l was near him."
His mind is resting now," said the
old doctor. "We can only hope that
It will awaken refreshed and clear
although he can never be the clever
man of business he once was"
Poor father" murmured the girl.
AOne moment, DR.. Addison. If the
trouble that has worried my father
relates to business, wouldn't it be
well to keep his true condition as
quiet as possible until I can find out
something concerning his affairs?"
AN excellent thought" said the
doctor. perhaps you'd better con-
suit one of your fathers old friends
lawyer preferably"
mot yet," replied the girl. IL
want first to see what I can discover
alone"
The old doctor locked at her and
nodded. Then he put out his hand
and took the girls.
You're a fine young woman" he
said.
The girl had found in her fathers
breast pocket sealed letter with her
name on the envelope. When the
doctor had gone she broke the seal
and read the letter slowly.
my dear daughter" 1t began; II
am writing this because I fear that
some emergency may suddenly con-
front you. My business affairs are
much involved and l seem to have
lost the power to straighten them
out. There are a dozen creditors who
may at any moment precipitate a
crash, but there Is only one l really
fear. That is the house of John Nell
son & Son, to whom / owe $65,00O.
The firm is hard and unyielding. 1
will not give you any technical de-
tails, but if anything happens to me
go to my old friend, Judge Henry
Allerton, and ask him to take charge
OF everything. / want the creditors
satisfied, although this will leave you
very little, my dear. There will be
some insurance, and know that your
Aunt Edgerton in Denver will gladly
give you home. Be brave girl,
my daughter, and try to think that I
always meant to do for the best. Your
unhappy father"
The girl wiped her eyes and put
the letter back in its envelope.
Poor daddy" she murmured,
why didn't he confide in me? Am I
30 worthless, so unreliable?"
She arose quickly and went to her
fathers room and consulted the
nurse. There was no change and no
probability of any.
Then the girl told the housekeeper
not to expect her home until diyner.
A half hour later she was seated at
her fathers desk in the dingy loom
where he had spent so many years.
with her was the old bookkeep.r OF
the house.
You are my fathers friend, Mr..
Trissel?"
Yes, miss. have been with him
thirty years"
He is i'll. He may not be in his
office again for several days"
Il am very sorry, miss. Is there
anything l can do?"
How much do you know of my
fathers affairs, Mr. Trissel?"
He was very close mouthed. miss. .
Il want you to help me, Mr.. iris
sci, In Strengthening out my fathers
papers,
hope can help you, miss"
Two days steady work convinced
the girl that she needed expert help
The old bookkeeper was a man OF
routine and very slow. The girl ad-
Vertised for skilled accountant.
When she reached the office the
next morning young man was wait
ing In the anteroom. He bowed as
she paused and looked at him. He
was keen eyed young man OF per.
haps thirty.
wish IN saa M uaIa ha nv