The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-11-11
j. FINLAY,
Loan Office.

i
Though it was nearly s o'clock on
drilling February night, in the outer
office shock headed boy was address
ing envelopes preparatory to inserting
missives, which the addresses probably
would not receive with any exhibition OF
sinful pride. In some cases, doubtless,
| they would roundly curse the man whose
signature endorsed threats, yelled or 9TH
erwise, according to the standing OF the
client and the prospect of his early COM
pliance with the terms of his bond, now
reposing with many others in the big
| safe in the inner room, where sat JAS
per Finlay with telephone receiver at
his ear
"No." he was saying, Better not
count upon me at all. I'll turn up later.
It's a miserable business, but [ must see
it through"
He listened for moment to the reply,
and then proceeded: 81 almost regret
that my name and relationship made me
old Jasper's heir 1 begin to doubt
whether happiness can come from money
| that has spelt blighted hopes, broken
hearts and widows tears"
Again there was silence while his
! friend made brief comments and asked
questions
"It's a long story" Finlay resumed.
II was in California when news came
that my uncle had remembered his
nephew on his death bed. His managing
clerk. Abram Levitt, had been with him
from boy and knew the business inside
out.
"Half an hour ago paid my first call
at the office from which at this moment
am speaking. find Levitt pressing
| the creditors to the fullest extent the
law allows My manager has been lend
ing money on his own account in viola
ton of my instructions. de lives in the
rooms over the office, and have Just
that hee may make full disclosure of
sent him for other of his private books,
the extent to which he has launched cut
under cover of my name" m
Finlay was advised by his friend to
leave the matter in allegiance until the
morrow, when it would be advisable to
install an accountant to inquire into
Leyitt's breach of confidence, and bring
a VIGOROUSLY unsavory business to a
conclusion, as the new proprietor was de-
! termined not to sell it as a going con-
Germ. Finally he made remark that
brought Finlay's eyebrows closer togeth-
er in protesting frown.
Eight years too late, old man, said
Finlay Bellies father would hear of no
engagement between us, and shortly aft
erwards she married a stockbroker JEFF
ferson was his name. Although I had
no money and my prospects were
doubtful quantity, | could have sworn
Belle would have waited for me-"
Jasper tugged at his mustache while
listening to Townley Seymour.
'Eh! What ?" he exclaimed suddenly.
"Of course. I've been out in the world
and never heard a word of it. So bad
as that? Awful! Poor Belle! I'll look
her up tomorrow. Good-bye."
Jasper Finlay's mind was digging furi-
cusly into the debris of eight busy,
crowded years.
1t was the voice of the shock headed
boy that recalled him to his surround
ings.
"You mustn't go in there" he said.
The protest was evidently UNDECIDED,
for the door was pushed open and from
round the doorpost appeared flower
like face, in which were set inuuiring
eyes of the bluest shade imaginable The
child timidly stepped over the threshold
with courage born of absolute relief
that its occupant was not ogre-like.
"Are you Mr.. Shylock?''
upon my honor, little one, I scarcely
know Come and tell me why you ask.
Now, little one," he said, drawing her to
him between his knees. "Who is Mr..
Shylock, and why do you wish to see
| him?"
'Mr. Shylock lends people money. and
when they haven't got any he wants it
back with lot more which he didn't
lend them" Finlay could not repress a
smile at this definition of usury. 'sOh.
he's dreadful man, continued the child.
''He makes mummy cry, and-and !"
"The dev-,'' exploded Finlay, biting
the word through savagely with his
teeth.
] The child's eyes sought his inquiringly
to gauge whether the meaning of the in
terruption was friendly or otherwise.
She was evidently satisfied by her scru-
tiny.
Martha says-she is my nurse. you
know-she was mummy's nurse, too.
Martha says she would like to wiring
| Shylock's neck"
HE deserves it," blurted out Finlay
savagely. "Who sent you here 2"
81 came with Martha. but a man took
her upstairs and left me to wait in the
passage, SO I came in here
THANK goodness you did," replied
Finlay, with something suspiciously like
choke. SNow tell me your name"
"Belle Jefferson, and it is mummy's
NAME"
She felt the arm around her suddenly
tighten, and intuitively she recognized it
as protective caress, although other
wise his tense rigidity almost frightened
her. She fingered an object on a thin
gold chain around her neck.
Finlay looked down. With almost
trembling hesitation his fingers sought
the little locket and pressed the spring
From it's recesses there smiled his own
face, just as lutte Belle inclined her
head and put her sweet little lips to the
presentment of himself
chats Jasper" she announced.
Mummy kisses it, too. I've seen her
when she thought I was asleep. He's
lost, you know, but some day, perhaps,
mummy will find him again.
"Boy!' Finlay called out. "Tell Mr..