The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-07-16
THE EVENING STORY
THE QUEER ONE.

ing. I worked there three weeks, and
tnen-and then, I happened to hear
the cashier say as he put away a
small tin box. There is twenty thou
sand dollars
The words chung to me, sung to
me, every waking hour. and in the
get that money from the safe. I had
az the long hours of h night in
which to work my wish, for l slept in
the building.
And 1 forgot what he had done for
me, and what life would mean to me
with him as guide and friend. 1 for
got my promises-forsot everything.
1 waited with caution. From another
until I saw the combination the
cashier used in opening the safe, n
n night I got away with the tin box.
Il had already purchased a passage
on a tramp steamer that sailed that
night. 1 went down to the dock n
waited In the shadow until the loading
was finished. AS l went up the plank
stumbled off into the water. hitting
my head against the vessels side"
The rigid lines of h lean face
sagged, but the lips. after a moments
hesitation, Went on firmly. "When I
became conscious 1 was in the hold
and the steaMer was out OF the bay.
l cried out about the money. They
thought l was crazy. l didn't look
X a man with such a sum. I swore
in fury. but there was nothing to be
done.
Il never knew what became of the
money. l was told that one of the
men who pulled me out kept the o.
l do not doubt it. They were thieves
n robbers-the vilest bunch of men
that ever lived.
Sc much for that. I tell you, sir.
there's something that trips the feet
of men who do wrong-some time.
somewhere, they pay the price as I
have paid it,!
Il luckily had paid my passage. I
reached South America and for twen-
ty years I have been laboring to make
up that amount. 1t has been my n
thought. night and day. Often I
wanted to stop. but could not find
rest. I have come back with the
money.
Il know little of what has passed. I
saw from the papers no mention was
made OF my crime-at least, I found
none-and I knew it was in keeping
with the great heart OF the man who
aided me that he would let the matter
pass.
Il a suffered. Twenty years ago
I was young and strong: now look at
me. Yet that suffering has burned
night. I am free: and I shall be at
peace when the money is turned over
20 the estate Of Mr.. G~rosvenor."
Fornush was puzzled. The estate
of G~rosvenor? Do YOU mean the
young Grosvenor?"
Il mean-why, I read in a trade pa
per that Grosvenor was dead"
"Grosvenor's son died. but the IA
Their is living"
cry n he jumped to his feet. His
face and form seemed to be transit
cured with new life.
Yes" answered %F'orbush, stirred by
the sudden change. Il think he's in
of the offices here now. I'll see."
4 few moments later a white-haired
man with a serene, kindly face enter
ed. h two men in the Office had
arisen. Grosvenor Looked at Kilven
for a moment, Their held out his hand
in greeting. kilven caught it in his
and bent over it a ONE in silence.
Mr.. Grosvenor. have brought
back ali the money 1 STOLE" kilven
said.
G~ro.venor looked at him oddly.
The money!" he repeated.
Yes. the money I stole from your
Office twenty years ago." Kilven an
swered. hoarsely.
a sudden light shone in G~rosvenor's
eyes. then the light softened. 81 un-
derstand somewhat" he said. "Kilven.
YOU did not steal money: you took the
box which contained 100000 in re-
ceipts-iust ordinary paper receipts.
We couldn't imagine where that box
Went to. though we tried to connect 1t
with YOU
Kilven swaved like a man about to
collapse and Grosvenor put his arm
over his shoulder. Pm glad you
came back. Joseph. You can put the
money to work for yourself or in my
business with me. We've got the best
be jolly good friends" Grosvenor said,
anxious to cover his own emotion.
"I.'s all worked out right in the end"