The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1920-08-05
THE
AFTERMATH
By GENEyIEvE ULMAR.

"You have lost your position in the
bank" spoke Norma Drury. "Oh, IA
her how can that beI'
Martin Drury's head was bent low.
he was pale and agitated and acted
like man who had received Neavy
blow.
Not because of any dishonesty, Nor
ma he said. bravely attempting
smile. Since i was given charge OF
he securities cage my salary has been
raised and seem to have pleased both
Mr.. Wardell, the president of the bank,
Today i carried all the Liberty bond
packets to the desk of Mr.. Wartlell for
him to check up. He returned them
an hour later. Then | was called to
the cashiers desk on some business.
When | returned to assert the packets
one was missing-No. %. Mr.. War
dell's schedule showed he had checked
1t, with the others. 1t was for $1,000.
II was gone. and the only fault found
with nae was bat ] had left the pack
cts on nsy desk when hurriedIy called
By the cashier, instead of first placing
them in the vault"
"'rhen-~-''.
Somebody Oh the watch, 1t is as
sumed, reached through the wicket and
extracted the $4,000 packet"
"And Mr.. Wardellf'
/. consulted the directors HS was
kind enough and just enough 70 vouch
for my integrity, but said that was
getting old, that needed>less respon-
me at reduced salary, but in an in
ferior position. 1t is hard lines!" and
the voice broke. MY pride-my
pride"
Norma came up to her father and
twined her arms about him. ''Dear ia
ther," she said tenderly. II shall give
up my preparations TO become teach
er. You have had me help you so much
with bank work you have brought
home evenings that / have practically
learned the business, as you may say.
At all events we are responsible for a
loss of $4,000. Together we~will make
1t good
That was the amazing proposition
Norma Drury made to stern, systemat-
ie Martin Drury the next day. If the
old financier was secretly moved by
the filial act and sacrifice of the loyal
young girl. he did not betray the fact.
In his cool, methodicai way he accept
ed the proffer and one quarter of the
joint compensation of father and
daughter was each month to be re-
tanned and credited on the loss ac-
count.
Ii Mr.. Drury felt humiliated by his
than made up for in having Norma for
company in the bank, He grew lit
tie more gray, little more bent, but
he was proud of his daughter and their
mutual work for a noble object filled
both with high sense Of duty sturdily
faced.
David Wardell's health failed and he
was ordered to sanitarium for per-
manent treatment. A month later he
died and his only son, Sydney, was
summoned from college to take charge
of the affairs of the bank. He was
bright, intelligent fellow and from the
start Norma attracted him. When he
learned all the details of her connec-
ton with the bank there appeared a
high order of respect and admiration I'm
frxx crI II oy
luded to the loss of the bonds, but
twice in the ensuing year he advanced
MIR. Drury In position and salary. He
came to Norma one day, later.
Miss Drury," he said, 'you have done
such faithful, helpful work during the
past year, that the bank has decided
to send you away for months vaca-
tion, bearing all expenses and your sal
airy to run on the same with a>S5 per
cent raise for next year."
it?' spoke Norma,
I'VE think So" declared Sydney
heartily, and Norma felt that he was,
genuinely sincere. 1t was rest she
craved and enjoyed. The happy four
weeks ended in a surprise The day
before setting out for her return she
received note from her father that
considerably mystified her. 1t informed
her that young Wardell would be at
Leeviile the next morning OH an auto
mobile trip, andsthat he would call for
her and drive her home. Ii was not
strange that Norma fiuttered and mar
veled when the young man arrived
next day.
1t was late afternoon when the car
reached her home town. Young War
dell drove around to the bank and halt
ed In front of 1t.
"The& has been something CT a
change in the personnel of the insti-
tuition since you went away. Miss
Drury," he told her. and he pointed to
a newly emblazehea window bearing
the two names: Sydney V'srdell.
President: !: Marin Drury. Cashier
Norma stared beuildered.
Nv. were moving my fathers old
desk last week." said Sydney. "and be-