The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-09-11

there should be a run on the bank.
I'm going to the city to see Mr.. Kicn
tonight. / am confident he can e.
plain things"
But Wayne returned the following !
evening with serious face.
I'VE are certainly in a bad guam
dairy" he reported. Your uncle is in !
a kind Of a daze in his present condi-
ton. Nothing serious, but phase OF
his convalescence. the doctor says.
His memory is bad. He says he put
the reserve fund away, but don't know
where. That mustn't leak out. He
will soon be in his old trim and we
will float along on what cash We have
until then"
Then real alarm came the next day.
Ralph was dumbfounded when a run
started on the institution. In some
way the news leaked out that the
bank was short of funds. All kinds
of evil rumors spread abroad! Mr..
Rich had gone away anticipating fall
ure! Then had been speculation!
and by eight o'clock the next morn
ing hundreds were grouped about the
front OF the institution.
! Wayne took the initiative. He put
up sign stating that the bank would
close until Mr.. Rich was able to re-
turn and take charge Of affairs.
! Then there came into the town q
; stranger, who took up his quarters at
the local hotel. He gave out that he
was the representative Of a wealthy
brokerage house in the city. He an
nounced that beginning the next day
he would purchase depositors' &C
counts at fifty cents on the dollar
That night as Ralph was dejectedly
passing the bank he noted light in
the rear private room. He went to
the door and looked in. 1t was to
observe Wayne before the open COL
lateral safe. The door of one Of its
compartments that was generally un-
used was open. In his hand Wayne
held a package strangely suggestive
Of the reserve fund parcel. He re-
placed 1t, seemed to chuckle, and his
face wore a certain crafty look. When
he had departed Ralph entered the
bank. unlocked the safe with his own
keys and found-the hidden one hun
dred thousand dollars.
The truth came to Ralph's mind In
, fash. Dark suspicious were en-
HANGED. as an hour later. passing down
the street he noticed Wayne from Z
Swallowed doorway conversing secret
~ but animatedly with the broker
from the city.
Then he decided what he would do
There was town painter he knew
very we'll. He gave the man. undel
instructions Of secrecy. an all-nigh
task.
When Wayne came down to tn
bank next morning, to his amazement
he found covering its front q sigl
reading: This bank will open at tn,
usual hour and pay all depositors."
Inside the clerks, notified early b.
Ralph, we're at their accustomed
places. Ralph stood behind the cash
\ ier's window, calm and confident
\ Wayne rushed up to him.
See here, Ralph" he shouted
what is this mad piece Of folly"
Just this" was the incisive repl
Of the young bank man, and pushin
: open the cash drawer he revealed tn
missing reserve package.
Wayne turned all colors. He wa
taken completely of his balance. H
evaded the eye of Ralph and left tn
bank never to return.
His plan had been to have his Re
<. low conspirator buy in the account
Of the frightened depositors at q di
count and make a small fortune.
- was easier and less risky than ro1
:, bling the institution outright
Mr.. Rich was taken out of tn
=. ;. charge of the drug-dealing city docto
Myra returned home
Il shall make your woman's wit til
balance wheel Of my life" averre
~ her fiance AT the right moment
- remembrance Of your warning led n
to save the bank"
:, Copyright. 1914. by W. G. Chapman)