The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-09-09
FOR RONALD'S SAKE.

NARROW and l have checked every
thing we have done!" retorted the
younger man. you've made slip
yourself, only, of course, you won't
admit it,
Justin flushed a little as he went
back to his desk. AS senior account
ant to Leeke, Granger and Co., he took
great pride in his work; the books
under his charge always agreed to
penny, and he liked to think that the
firm trusted his accuracy.
1t was important, too, that no doubt
should be thrown upon his abilities.
That afternoon, when the head clerk
would probably have more time to
spare, he meant to ask for an increase
of salary.
Henry Niles, comparatively new
conner to the firm, was inclined to be
brusque with his subordinates. When
the moment came, he CURLY refused
Justin's petition. ...r..'
But I've had extra expenses to
meet lately. My son"
THAT will do, Justin!"
'My boys ill.," added the bookkeep-
err, desperately. There's been doc
tors bill to pay; and even now"
I'm sorry; but your private life is
no affair of ours. We're only concern
ed with your work in the office. And
that reminds me. l hear there's some
discrepancy in your accounts; some
money out somewhere. Now, that
can't be overlooked. We must have
absolute"
I'm sure I'm not to blame, Mr..
Miles, 2.
please don't stand arguing!"
Justin depressed retort with diff.
ficulty. Slowly he began to withdraw.
''By the way, remember to bring me
that balance sheet / mentioned.
want to take it home with me and ex.
anime it tonight ...
"You haven't seen the guv'nor s
keys. suppose, Justin? He's mislaid
them. Had them this morning for
| certain; but now he's making fuss
because they're missing.
1--WE not been near his room. How
should know where his keys are?"
you needn't snap my head off.
was told to ask everybody, that's all.
The clerk passed on; Alfred Justin
| continued to add his columns of fig
ures. Methodically he was checking
each carefully written page, although
he assured himself that the entries
| were thoroughly reliable.
At six o'clock all his companions
prepared to depart.
You're last, Justin. Don't forget
the outside door,"
He called reply without looking
up. They left one by one. Their
silence reigned, save when he rustleC
the leaves of the big ledger.
In the ordinary way he would have
lbeen eager to get home to his wife
and sick child.
"Rut Edith understands I'm work
ing late" he muttered, leaning bacl
for a moment, "and Ronald-hell b.
no better yet awhile, poor biddie!"
The doctor feared that an operation
would be necessary; he had recon
mended a famous surgeon who would
perform it.
With an effort he returned to his
calculations. Steadily he scanned
page after page. An hour went slow
ly by.
81 won't stop any longer. Edith
be anxious"
He got ready to go, and switched
off the light At the same instant /;
recollection disturbed him. He haC
omitted, after all, to give the heaC
clerk the balance sheet he had re
quested. That would mean an angr!
comment from Henry Niles on thu
morrow. Or perhaps he has taken i
himself? Justin moved hopeful!
towards an inner room to examine thu
files where the paper would be kept.
| A slight sound startled him a few
minutes later. Holding his breath, h
listened intently. Then came dull
metallic ring which he instantly recog
nized. The safe was being opened.
AS he burst through the connecting
door he caught sight of a STOPPING fig
ure in the corner. The intrude
sprang up with cry.
| Who's that? II only-Why, it,
Justin! That-that is you, Justin
isn't it,"
Justin recognized the intruder i'm
mediately as Ralph Leeke, the son o
the head of the firm.
yes" he assented thickly. "Wha
are you doing, Mr.. Ralph? What ar
you here for?' .4 .
The young man tried to reply, bu
he could say nothing. He turnet
aside with lowered head.
81 thought you still abroad" obsery
j ed Justin, jerkily.
At last an answer came 4 failet
out there-had bad luck. I came bacl
to make friends with my father again
But he called me ne'er-do-weIl-lazy
idle, worthless! I asked him for ;
chance in the business. He refused
Told me to go. Yes; sent me away
after all this long while"
-Four years, nearly"
"Ah! you remember, Justin
The accountant nodded. tTve otter
thought of you. When man saves
my boys life-saves him from drown
ing"
How is the little chap" asked
Ralph Leeke, quickly
Justin did not seem to hear. He
was pointing to the open safe.
My father won't give me a partner
ship--a share--even a small position