Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-10

had seen IN them before came back.
1t is of that business that want to speak to you
now she said slowly.
Yes, ma am. l know it.
Know it,"
Yes, ma am
For instant she sought to read the straight
staring eyes, there nothing there save masterfu
You have told me that, and believe it. Then why
did you come all the way to Paris to search for my
father? Were you sent3"
mo, ma am. l was not sent.
Then why did you conner?
I'D rather not tell you, ma am It's little per-
sOnal matter between u.s.
And why, that day at the Cafe de la Paix did
you permit yourself to be arrested under the name
of my father. when my father there within
reach and you knew he there?"
I'D rather not tell you, ma am. 1t wouldn't do
any good for you to know
Il must know. Mr.. Smith! Either l have done
my father great injustice, or you have. He will
to make it all clear to and certainly it is within
my power to recty "a grave error If it all means
what I'm afraid it means Hs She came back to the
to Paris9 l must know. Don't think you must
spare my feelings l must know!"
MR. SMITH squir1ned- uneasily in his seat and
Iva after moment and stared out the window
for long time Il thirty three years DID, he
said at last rreleyanty Twenty years Of that
boy first. Then l studied shorthand and used to
help the stenographers in the bank. One day
called upon to assist your father in special
later became his private secretary. held down
that job until about six ago. and in that time,
personal business. 1t then that used to write
letters to you, here in Paris He paused
Go on" the girl urged
1.-The banks business grew, ma am. and finally
there was need of an assistant paying teller. Mr.
Clarke gave me the job and have We. held e. ever
That is ma am, l don't that the fate of the
world hangs upon a in such position; but in
the of month he will handle. perhaps mill
ions and millions of other peoples money. That's
the sort of responsibility mean. All paying teers
have that kind; but | had another kind For in
stance. sometimes stocks and bonds are left with
are in my care | am responsible for them. They
sealed by the president of the bank in my presence
and seal is added in his presence before the
securities placed in the vault. 1t down to
this, ma am: there are two persons responsible for
the safety of such securities, and either call the
other to an accounting in the event of any rregu-
1arity."
He stopped suddenly, struck by the frightened
haunted look in her eyes Her slim white fingers
bare of gloves were interlocked fiercey.
''Well?' she insisted.
Il guess hadn't better go on, ma am
You must!" she commanded Il must under
stand it,
ut will hurt you. ma am" After little pause
I'D hate to feel that had hurt you.
The girl rose and went to him .pleadingly. Her
upturned to his the faint perfume of her hair in
his nostris. 9 You must go on!' she commanded.
Whatever you may say cannot be worse than this
agony of suspense, uncertainty
WELL. about four months ago one hundred and
w fifty ten thousand-d dollar United States bonds
that is million and half dollars in negotiable
securities left in keeping, Mr.. Smith
tinued. They were sealed by. your father in my
presence; l added my seal in his presence. They
were put into the vault. About two months ago
your father. you know, to Paris About
three weeks ago had occasion to rummage around
in the vault. and discovered that mice had gnawed
hole. big a silver dollar say, in that sealed
package Then I discovered ma am that he bonds