El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-08
HIS LITTLE GIRL
"HE white haired lawyer looked
earnestly and searchingly into
(BY RAOUL HERBERT.

earnestly and searchingly into
face of the man in front of him
"And you are certain this statement
! is absolutely correct?" he asked
| sharply.
Absolutely" the man replied, 1--WE
have barely managed to keep the bust
ness going during the last two years
And in spite Of this you have al
lowed her, who is now dead, and her
daughter to remain absolutely igno-
rant of the true state of affairs"
The man did not answer.
"T notice an entry of $50 dollars
paid to the deceased every month,
the old lawyer continued. Where is
your salary entered?"
at is not entered" The reply came
slowly and hesitatingly.
AZ also see two or three entries of
payments of $50 each having been
made to the firm by certain q. L)
Who is this Ct. LIP
The man did not raise his eyes from
the carpeted floor. The old lawyer
took of his golden spectacles and
wiped them with his handkerchief
you understand, Mr.. Long. he said
calmly, "the young lady's affairs have
been turned over to me. and must
understand the situation thoroughly
I must ask for certain explanations,
and 1 am sure you will render me
every assistance
John Long nodded
''Welli Just let us go through the
most important facts. John Dodson
died five years ago and his widow de-
cided to continue the business Quite
naturally she turned to you who had
been in her late husbands confidence.
You had been in John Dodson's en-
ploy for many years.?
Ever since was a small boy"
Eyes, know You became in time
almost as one OF the family. You knew
when Dodson died, you were the only
man to manage 1t. The business was
good and solid. Dodson had been in
the habit Of drawing a certain amount
every month and there was no. reason
why his widow should not continue to
do so. When I look at the first part
of this book I find matters looking
very satisfactory, but little later,
couple of years. perhaps. everything
begins to go back and this keeps on
until very recently, when there again
seems to be a rise. 1t Is perfectly clear
that business has been bad, but that
the widow has nevertheless been able
to draw her usual amount. But. dur
ing the last three years, I find no sal
airy entered for you and I do not IN
derstand the various amounts paid in
by J. l."
ut was an old debt paid little at
a time"
The lawyer looked up from the book
and looked at Long searchingly.
'I see," he said. And your salary
account. was that the same way?"
John Long held out his hands.
as 1t really necessary to discuss
hot he aCk ad
I'm half an hour Miss Dobson will
be here to demand a full explanation
want you to be absolutely frank. Come
now-tell me everything"
But what is there for me to tell?"
the young man exclaimed. The books
explain everything about the business
going back There is really no more
to say except that I have done my best
and that I am very sad at having no
better news TO tell"
The lawyer shook his head.
1.-The girl will not think that ex-
PLANTATION satisfactory, and in that
don't blame her"
For a while the young man sat star
ing at the carpet Then he stood up
and began to walk up and down the
floor
"A tale of nothing but bad luck" he
mumbled." I have worked hard. but
misfortune has logged my steps
wonder If you will understand me
when 1 say that am glad that she
who is now dead was never told that
business was poor, but always be-
lieved it to be as good as ever"