Norwich bulletin., 1913-03-06
NED'S RUSE


 BriarIy was not surprised when the First National closed, with the brief announcement that Ned Hetmer had abscoonded with the cash. Apparent ly BriarIy had been prepared for the Ina opening, and T told you so's' were plentiful.
 For & month or more ugly rumors had been circulated. No one knew whence they came. None of the stor- ies could be definitely traced back t0 the original source.
 Persons only vaguely remem bered that someone had said that "a certain party" was making altogether too free with the banks funds. Sometimes stock gambling was mentioned, and again it was the horse racing. but al ways there was the sinister sugges- tion that the bank funds were being tempered with.
 The depositors had grown uneasy at the increasing definiteness of the ru- mors, and had been about to ask for an examination when Hotmer had anticipated their action by absconing with what little was left.
 The banks doors closed and the gossips proceeded to recite weird stories that did not more credit to their ina gination than to their verac- the indiscretion charged against him he must have lived double mans allot- ted three score and ten. whereas Hot mer was merely good looking chap of 32-
 His great offense had been that he loved Dora Cameron. the daughter of the president of the bank. rather than any of the other eligible young women in the little town
 Each mother had angled for the catch, but now each was loudly pro claiming her joy in the fact that she had broken off the growi- infatua- tion between Hotmer and my Helen or whatever the girls name might be.
 They were rather sorry that Coia was out of town, spending a month with a school friend in the west. They wanted to see how she, who had been so proud of Hotmer, would take the blow.
 In truth she was taking it very bad ly. She had grown very fond of Hot mer He had not declared his 1oe and the thought that she had lavished unclaimed love- however sweet, on q. man unworthy was bitter indeed to her.
 Her father wrote only brief letter telling her not to worry. but she took the dedication very much to heart and when a week or so after the crash she spied Hotmer coming toward her with a smile of greeting she turned ! her head and would have passed on had he not grasped her arm.
 Why don't you speak, Cora ?" he demanded. Didn't your father white to you not to worry-that the bank was all righto'' @
 Little thanks to you.' she cried. Poor daddy. The bank was his great pride and you have laid it low. I didn't thing that you could do it, Eddit.''
 There is an eXplana tiOOn,' he be- gan, but Cora waved him aside
 T don't want to listen to explana- tions" she cried. 'I know that father is nearly killing himself trying to bring the bank back into the condition it was in, and you are here enjoying yourself"
 T have found little enough enjoy ment.' he said sadly. You don't know what a nightmare the last few weeks have been to me, Cora. To be in the same town with you and not be able to come near you
 You did well to keep away she said bitterly. then her voice broke and she looked at him with appealing eyes and lips that quivered.
 Why did you do it?" she demand ed. If you had needed more money father would have given it to you.''
 You mean that you think I took the banks maney?'' he cried in sudden
 what else can I think?'' she countered T can't realize that you money is gone and you have confessed the theft by your disappearance from town
 You must believe that I did not take the money" he said earnestly. Wont you believe me. Cora ?''
 For moment she looked into the frank eager eyes. then she placed her hand in his.
 T Go believe you, she said softly l T can't think that you took it. There must be some explanation-there is an explanation isn't there ?''
 Fotmer nodded. There is a very l satisfactory explanation " he declared. i For certain reasons I cannot return l to Brjarly and explain now and I do l not know how long I shall have to l wait. It is bitter experience, Cora, 1 10 feel that the people who know me believe that have been untrue to my 1 trust, but as long as you believe 1t l does not matter so much
 ''I may believe in you," she answered, 1 ''but of course you cannot expect fath- l CT to believe as I do. He sees only the 1 business side and he-he has not the ! sa me reason for believing In Nou." i
 You mean hat you love me-" press ! cd Hotmer, tYo ou still love me, Cora 2'' i
 Even now.' she said braVely. Do l