The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-12-01
HSHE books Of the Atlas National

aIIPNI anu HlDSi pIDlllllltIi tiltttOl Al
the institution. His dealings had rur
,up into he millions. But a plain rec
ord and Il clean sheet were all the sur
face indications, showing no more. nj
less. than the bare limit account OF
some saving, underpaid clerk laying
aside IN lily spared surplus for {
rainy day.
When it comes to the secret
archives. however. the confidential
files accessible only to the officers and
credit manager of the bank. that IS a
different proposition. He had company
in that departments ghostly TROOP
of family skeletons. closeted at home
safely. locked away from public view
in the strong steel safety vaults
Should they ever parade forth, one
Basil Trego. among several OF like
mold. would strut and caper across
the stage. and vanish leaving the i'm
pression that honored names are some,
times a farce and honest men a
rarity. It might then be shown how
and why that great protector OF
finance. the active head of the United
Bankers Protective association, Resiil-
us Marvel. was called into the most
secret councils Of the Atlas National,
to ward off disgrace and peril from
our valued friend and client, and final
" TO save his life and his millions.
recall Robert Dale just as he ap-
peared that bright June morning when
the president Of our institution sum
moned NE to his private office, and
the gravity and earnestness OF his
face influenced me to the belief that
something out Of the ordinary was IN
the wind
"Mr. Dale is in the directors office"
advised our chief official, 'and wishes
to see you. | have told him of certain
attributes Of yours that We have recog-
nized-a close mouth, a-strictly busi-
ness attitude, and unfaltering accuracy
of judgment"
81 thank ycu," I bowed, with natu-
raj glow of pleasure at the handsome
compliment.
Poor Dale," observed the presi-
dent. "he needs the exercise of all
these qualifications, indeed. A journey
on your part may be necessitated. Fall
in with his plans, whatever they may
be-"
proceeded at once to join the wait
ing visitor He greeted me in a friend
ly manner and touched chair by his
side.
II am going to ask good deal of
you" he said-"service | can never
sufficiently repay you for because |
wish you to share my troubles, and
the load isn't light one. | want a
man who can remember always, yet
forget absolutely so far as others are
concerned. 1t is about my step
nephew, Basil Trego."
The last name was not unfamiliar to
me, but I did not show that this was
so. l recalled the first incident with
in by knowledge Of the young man
where a music hall danseuse had kick
ed her dainty slipper into his lap
high honor for the shallOwpated
youth, who proceeded to lavish his
own and the money of others upon
her 1t had led TO the presentation
nd payment Of forged check on
uncle Nor was it the only one
\ the bank had never let Mr.
aow what we suspected. When
sed over the forgeries, accept
loss In silence, the incident
spped so far as we were con-
Therefore, this honorable old
man fancied he was impart-
Be- a great secret when he said
infinitely depressed and Sc
sephew, Basil Trego, is a
Ter two years this young
itinued the millionaire, "has
of idle profigacy, riot and
/ once, but twenty times he
checks on this institution
by forged name. There
spse where, suppose,
bat he was my nearest
i've and likely to inherit
he curbed his extrava-
wv months since, however,
o forged notes in my name
900. Later he took some
em my safe, disposed OF
New York city, and asso-
II there with a notorious
rs, among them woman
% Bruhl."
entaI note OF this for frI-
!, while Mr.. Dale went
bee he appeared at my
ierate condition Of fright
pretended remorse.
bne a final $4,000, to go
D. place Of refuge and re-
Ehted past lie realized
ii up safeguards to out
Der forgeries or pecuia-
nly told him my decision
made, and he was cut OFF
lar | had written abroad
"a daughter Of distant
IS Winifred Dunsc0mbe
f. Mying art at Rome, offer
Inc and to maize her my
h Ne would come here. AS
gave him one hundred;
- Mn to 60 to Windsor oEor
~ Detroit. in Canada