The Carlisle independent., 1917-08-30
zr WAs 2 hard task that the nresI.

N standard financial institution is
 rarely deSirous of doing business with a woman, at least beyond the mere depositor basis. In the present instance 1t was not only a woman. but a young and pretty one. Add to this the fact that the lady in question was in deep distress, that her case pre- scented angles suggesting evasion and even mystery, and you will not won- der why every official of the bank from the president down to the assistant cashier had shied at the task which I was now obliged to shoulder.
 Do the best you can to get our money out of this muddle.' the presi- dent had told me tersely, handing me the folder which contained all the papers in the case from the day, four years back, where Royal Luding- ton, member of the Board of Trade, had made his initial deposit with our bank down to and beyond the recent date of his sudden death. The rec ord of his dealings with our institu- ton up to the time of his demise was clear as crystal A child could have read and understood. pretentious as to magnitude and importance as had been some of his dealings. Direct and margin accounts were cleanly attended to. There was not mar or break in the admirable paying system of Royal Ludington. When death closed the account, however, we held his note unsecured for s37.950; and we held it still, past due. uncollect- able, to our bewilderment, in any legal way
 familiarized myself with all the details of the case through a hurried glance over the contents of the folder, tidied collar and coat with a twist of my hand, and put on my best bank ing face to enter the private office of the directors room where I had been advised Miss Grace Ludington was awaiting attention.
 T came about this,,' she said in a tone child-like. confiding, slightly re- proaehful, all at once. The letter she handed me notified Mrs Royal Lud- ington that the overdue paper of her dead husband required immediate settlement. rather strictly referring to the fact that no attention had been paid to previous notifications of the same fact I turned it over and over in my hand, seeking to fix upon the manner I should assume in serving the Lest interests of the bank in dealing with an emissary instead of the chief person now in interest in the case.
 T sec" I observed, trying to gain time, for I am not a ready diplomat; but why did not Mrs. Royal Luding ton-your mother" the fair head bowed come hersef?"
 A wave of singular intensity crossed the face of the young girl. Her lips parted to speak. Then she subdued their expression. They quivered. Her eyes dropped, her cheeks grew the paler.
 She would not come" was spoken fnally-"she will not come"
 Surely" I observed, Mrs. Royal Burlington does not repudiate the ob- ligation?"
 For the present-yes.'
 Yet we have notations here that show transfers of property within the past month representing over $20.000. Aside from that two notes have passed through the bank for s10.000 which she has seen fit to pay prompt Ny Those notes were signed by your father, not by your mother. Why does she discriminate unfairly against the bank in caring for your father s obligations? I refer to the notes given by your father 10 one Abel Kandamann."
 My message, is,' sine said evenly, coIdly, that there are circumstances encouraging our fervent hopes, the possible relief of the bank, that you And ourselves must wait for-must." "
 It was her last word With mo- ton of head and body that was all it should be, with the air of an empress ,she went from the room. and I stood ,staring blankly after her, analyZing severy word she had said, weighing 1t. hissecting it, seized with a sudden in- U HUI hc xhe president of the bank He was "a man of few words and I lent my Nelf to his system.
 Tt is simply-wait," I said.
 He shrugged his shoulders, knowing ' had done my full duty.
 No pressure possible. then, you think!"
 None at the present time. There js action possible. though I said.
 You mean?'
 "Resilius Marvel"
 Get him.
 When the bank-or any other bank said get Resilius Marvel" 1t signi- fled the abandonment of direction or opinion. It meant unrestricted power awarded Marvel, great man that he was-he, the brains, mouthpiece and active director of the great United Bankers. Protective association. Mar vel was not a collector for the banks