Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-17
CHAPTER XVI.

w amazing discoveries. For instance he discov-
cred that the sky was blue over Paris, and that
trees green, and grass velvety, and that
birds sang-of course, not well as they sang in
Passaic; but there much to commend in their
efforts Things must have been that way all along.
Odd, how he had overlooked it! In other ways too
Paris looking up. Notre Dame, compared to
the granite church back home, had perhaps, shade
the best of it. and he to admit that Pont Alex
ander Ill. put it all over the bridge down the
orphan asylum. AS for the Louvre-well he had
been hasty in his judgment. Now that he had had
chance to look at it, it didn't remind him at all of
the rubber works back home
All of which meant that Mr. Smith had reached
that point of mans life when the external aspect
of all things is softened and beautifed by
born quality within himself. Always the change is
wrought by trivial thing, like the lingering
touch of slender hand the haunting curl of
let lips, the shy upward glance of tmid eyes. Mr..
Smith didn't know precisely when where the great
change came. He on y knew that on the second day
after his release from arrest he had talked hour
with Edna Clarke, and since then his vision had
cleared: When he babe her goodby he was preparing
to catch the steamer at Cherbourg for home. AT his
hotel he found note that stayed him. 1t said:
The Lord loveth cheerful liar. hope you salts
fed You must remain in Paris until able to talk
Things not so bad you think w. M. c.
Mr.. Smith content to stay; in fact, it was with
feeling of exultation that he unpacked his suitcase
Even his unhoy passion for Passaic was held in
check. Four or FIVE days more in Paris! That
meant further talks with Edna, and that meant
He didn't care if he Main-ave. again. And
alone together, and at other times frumpy old Aunt
Emma appeared. Aunt Emma, deeply beloved of
herself had refused to tuck herself away shabby
little apartment in the Rue ST. Honore; she had
been living the Ritz. Her presence Swallowed Mr..
Smiths happiness at first; then he forgot she in
existence, and it wasn't so bad. Those were the
halcyon days. Mr.. Smith dreamed through them,
light hearted lark.
A last came the summons from Mr. Clarke and Mr.
= Smith went to him. The trained nurse had been
an6F at a cd from her fat h
drew Mr.. Clarke was propped up in bed, his master
full aight, his lips set and tinge of color again
in his withered cheeks.
Nov, Smith, just between you and me- 4" he began
without preliminary, where the deuce are those
bonds?'
"Bonds?" Mr. Smith repeated blandly Bonds?
I thought you said you had none?"
You beat me- 1 admit it. There's no need to
taunt me- You put me in position where had to
Mr.. Smith paced the length of the room couple
of times then turned and faced the banker with a
CLEAN of danger in the straight staring eyes
Now, look here, Mr.. Clarke " he said deliberately
at last we might just well understand each other
at any other time. The bonds are beyond
your reach and will remain beyond your reach until
they back in that package in the vault at home,
where they belong. Once they there, my resigna-
ton is in. I've worked for you for twenty years. Mr.
Clarke and in that time I've saved few thousand
over and then. I'm leaving your bank as
this matter of the bonds is adjusted, to become
cashier of new bank in which own some stock"
He sat down. and for time they stared each at
the other with challenge in their gaze.
"A1l this is not particularly to the point; but I'm
telling it to you to make my position perfectly clear
things by their first names. You stole bonds for
which personally responsible. Now, don't in
terrupt! l recovered them to myself, not you
and once they are placed where they belong finish
with you. 1t purely by accident that l discov-
cred this theft which endangered all my future and
came all the way to Paris not only to get the bonds
and I've changed my mind about the whaling. |
made you lie. you say. to me- That's all l