The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-05-14

der the stairway when he went nome
at night BY midnight or an hour later
the whole building would be in dames.
with no possibility Of anything being
saved. The Widow Allen alone might
suspect him, but she would have no
proofs.
The merchant debated the idea with
himself for two weeks before he adopt
ed 1t. In the store he gave no sign
that he was troubled, but the book
keeper was not deceived. She knew
what the profits were, aud she knew
who had a clutch on him. She even
interpreted the glances he cast around
the store, and when she saw him add
ing to the litter in the closet she could
have told him his purpose.
One windy. rainy night, when there
was excuse for shutting up early and
when only thirty days remained be-
tween French and business ruin, he
made a pretext to be the last one out,
and the candle was placed and lighted.
The young merchant went to his board.
ing house and to his room, and all he
had to do was wait
The wind rose and the rain fell more
heavily, and he was rejoiced at the
thought that none of the villagers
would be on the street In such a storm.
Between midnight and I o'clock the
flames would start. When the alarm
was given people could only turn out
and look on with folded arms. French
went to bed at the usual hour. He left
nothing to chance. He lay there hour
after hour thinking, scheming and
planning. 1t was close upon midnight
when his other self came to the rescue.
The two personalities debated and ar.
gued and fought. The one self CON
tended and the other protested.
After quarter of an hour the mer.
chant arose and hurriedly began to
dress. He was pale faced and trem.
bling and frightened He felt himself a
criminal and branded before the world.
Bankruptcy might come, he might be
forced to most menial employment, the
widow Allen might triumph and he
might lose the one he had learned TO
love, but he would save the store.
The wind was blowing a gale and the
rain coming in sheets when he stepped
from the door and ran through the mud
and storm to the store. Not even a dog
was in sight. AS he ran he prayed
that he might not be too late. With
shaking hands he inserted the key in
the door and pushed it open. There
was no smell of smoke. Striking a
match, he made his way to the closet.
The candle had been blown out hours
ago. It had not burned half an inch.
With n new fear at his heart the man
turned away and lighted lamp and
leaned on the counter to think. He
heard the rustic Of garments and light
footsteps, and Miss warder came out
OF the darkness and stood before him
and said:
"Mr. French. blew the candle ou,
long. long time ago"
"You-you found and blew it out" he
gasped.
"Yes, and have been waiting for
you to come"
81 was going to burn the store for
| tub hC Suiu ahtth a. iohts
silence.
"Yes."
ITO pay the notes due that woman
In thirty days and save myself from
bankruptcy"
II know"
"But I couldn't do 1t. I thought
could--I meant tO-but I came here tC
blow out the candle and save the store
I am ruined man, but l am not a
criminal except in intent"
"I knew you would come" said the
girl, with tears in her voice at Is
hard TO face ruin, but 1t is harder tC
face conscience. Yesterday lawyer
came to see mother. He told her she
was one of the heirs to large estate
He brought papers for her to Sign. and
within month she will have 5000.
"Wer?" queried French as he wiped
his brow and looked around the store.
thought-thought"-
"You want to give me notice and
leave your place at the end of the
week. You will go. of course, but
hope you will remember that l came
back to save the store. i wanted thu
insurance money, but my conscience
wouldn't let me be criminal"
~ thought that If you wanted to TAXI
In partner
But where can find one?"
"If you--you wanted TO take In ;
partner and pay up the notes and b'
clear OF that woman mother woult
give me the money, and
He saw her TO her home through tn,
storm and darkness, and he did no
realize that the wind blew or the rail-
fell or that he had to pick his steps
He realized only that he held her han'
and that he had been saved from Ill
other self. His sign reads "Georg
French" but there Is silent partne
with him and behind him and dali.
adding to his happiness.
Whipping the Baby.
, KN,.,. A., asa, nf un,t hara fhot avs