Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-13
Fur DIR sxEET SAKE
y FRANK EVANS.

downright, 1916. by W. G. ChaDman. III
Before Tom Graves had been ~ .
teiler,s cage t~wenty-four hours ne r.
allied that something was wrong VIII
Van Loeuw's methods. On the sss'
ond day he was sur OF it.
Van Loeuw and he had entered fhe
bank within a week, Of each ot4er.
Van Loeuw was 1 college graduate,
while Tom vas only the son of a COUP
try storekeeper. That ought not to
make any difference worth noticing y
America, but everyone knows It does
especially in large country towns III
Roxbury.
It made this difference in particu'.
lar: Van Loeuw "a privileged g
call on Mildred Leeson, the presidents
daughter, to dine at her house aAq l
take her driving in the automobile ne
owned. Whereas, Tom Graves, wno!
had, in his boyhood, often served Miss
Mildred behind the counter Of his re-
theys store. could scarcely gather ny
his courage to look like an ordinary
man when she bowed to him in. the
street; and then, seeing his confusion.
Mildred would smile again, in 2 kind
ly way, which Tom usually missed. DO
cause his eyes were on the ground.
Everybody said that Tom was q
the kind that are born to be drudges
and 20 work for men like Van LoeuWN,,
Van Loeuw never doubted that he
was destined to marry Mildred ana
step into her fathers shoes. he oio
Tom about it.
when I'm president Of the bank 10y
take care of you, Tom," he said. I'll
see that you get a better job"
Tom would swallow his feelings
then and turn to his books. *
Now, it was a fact that something
was seriously wrong. Tom soon dis,
covered that it was not a mistake, %
be picked up and rectified with rev
hours of extra work. After two weeks
of night work he traced back the error
to something that had begun Two Q
years before. In short, there was
d~efalcation Of $4,000, and the man
who was responsible for it had hidden
his trail beneath the %cleverest and
most intricate system that any thlef
had ever devised. x4.l
Two years ago! That was when
Van Loeuw bought his automobile!a
But Tom did not think, of that: He
resolved to tell Van Loeuw Of his dis
covery and ask his advice. He DID
so. and when he saw the CHASTITY pal
lor upon the mans face the hideoua
suspicion came home to him. !
tom. Ill see you at your place to
night" said Van Loeuw. IL want
to speak to you"
Van Loeuw came into Toms room
at eight o'clock and flung himself down
in aschair. ~ q,
What did you want to NEEDLE with
the books for" he began angrily.
ITS no COMPOUNDED business Of
yours" .
Perhaps not,"' admitted Tom. "But
I know it now, and I've got to 60 to
Lesson"
II tell you ! can pay it back"
snarled Van Loeuw.,
mo-" answered Tom. I'll have to
60 TO Leeson-unless you do" y, .
Van Loeuw rose up, ashen white.
"My Cod" he cried, what will be.
come of Mildred? Don't you know
she thinks the world of me?"
Tom sank down again, whittier than
the other Ia Yes, he knew she did.
When at last he spoke there was an
air Of unusual decision about him.
Van Loeuw," he said, III I take the
blame for this, will you swear always
to run straight in future? It doesn't
matter to- me, you know. For Miss
Lessons sake
you'll say you stole the money!
cried Van Loeuw, incredulously.
tom. ! always knew you were as true
as steel. And I'll make it worth your
while"
Coed night" said Tom, coldly.
He went into Mr.. Lessons office the
following morning. Van I.oeuw had
not appeared at. the bank, and he was
forced to close the cage when he, went
out. Fortunately, depositors were few
In the first hours of morning.
All, Graves, I "a going to send
for you" said the bank president, rid,
Ing. 1--WE have made an unfortunate
discovery"
yes" answered Tom. IT wish tc
inform You, sir, that I have embez.
.zled $4,000 Of the banks funds"
The door opened and a woman
came in. Tom started as he saw NIL
dred. This made it doubly hard. But
nc was prepared to play his part tc
the end now.
Mildred. will you come here a no:
ment?' asked Mr.. Lesson. to Toms
amazement. Please sit down. Nj.
Graves has Just been informing me
that a serious embezzlement Of bank
funds is to be placed to his d%iscredit."
Papa" began the girl. and Tom
saw that her face was drawn and
white, and her eyes red. s..
You are sure Of your statements,
Graves" inquired Mr.. Leeson, turn.
Ing to Tom.
y should hardly have come here II
| were not answered Tom angrtly.