The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-22
Eoening Story
Something to Confess.
BY r. RAY BAKER

Clifford Niles was worried. 1t
showed in his speech and his actions.
Signs of nervousness were not lost on
Media CIemmons. She wondered what
had gone wrong with Clifford, and
she wished he would unburden him
self SO she could console him, or try
to, whatever the difficulty.
In the year and half they had
known each other, Media never had
seen Clifford SO i'll at ease. He was a
Imerry-hearted blond young man. with
ewes that laughed with dancing blue
light, and q mouthful of firm. white
teeth that assisted in the operation
and he had seemed to shed all trouble
as oilcloth sheds water He was as
sistant cashier in the bank of which
Mr.. Clemmons was president; and that
is how he happened to meet Meda-
She was anxious for Clifford to tell her
his troubles, but she would not ask
him. Several times he appeared on
the point of unbosoming himself, for
he leaned forward in his chair, and
his ewes took on an appealing look
and he uttered words that seemed pre-
liminary to unfolding a secret; but
evidently he changed his mind, Tor ne
switched the subject before giving
even an inkling as to the nature OF
the subject, and talked of plain every
day matters, which disappointed Media,
nevertheless did not discourage her.
She knew things soon were to reach
a climax. for Clifford had been acting
this way for a week and each time
she saw him it was evident the ner-
vous strain had boone aggravated.
So the particular evening with
which we have to deal passed I'M
eventually. She played and sang LOT
him, and they tried their hand at
cribbage. and he went home at III
o'clock.
he stood hesitatingly, with one mana
on the knob, moving one foot restless-
Nv and made believe the secret was
about to be divulged.
"Afeda," he said, rafting the KNOB
and looking from her, there is some
thing that has been preying on my
mind for weeks-some thing serious. L
have q confession to make, and /
but. on second thought, don't peneVe
| can tell you tonight. Good night
And he was gone, while she stoou
open-mouthed and wondering
The next evening at the dinner taole
Medals father acted oueerly. He up
set the sugar once and spilled his COZ
fee. and during the meal spoke scarce
what's the matter. samuel?" his
wife inquired solicitously. Has some
thing gone wrong at the bank?
"Oh. nothing much" he returned
Goodness. It's catching" Media
+old herself as she left the table and
went into the library to read: some
where she had mislaid her handker-
chief. and she went back toward the
dining room presently to look for II.
Her parents remained seated at the
table. and her father was speaking IN
low tones, but his words were perfectly
audible to Media. They had not heard
her approach, so she crept out OF their
range of vision and listened.
You must not breathe word OF
this to a SOUL her father was saying.
IT'S a very serious matter. If 1T got
about town it might cause critical
situation-might even result in 2 run
on the bank. 1t doesn't take much to
start such a thing, you know
Media waited eagerly and anxlously
for the next words"
THE fact is somebody has got away
with ten thousand dollars" Mr.. Glenn
mons continued. I'VE discovered 1t
this morning and only the directors
and myself know of it-except, of
course, the person who has the ten
thousand"
DO you suspect any one?' his wife
inquired.
Yes, altho we have no evidence.
We have a detective working on the
case now, and have hopes the mystery
will be solved and matters Strengthened
up without publicity"
Media crept away to her room, where
she threw herself on the bed and wept.
Poor Cliff" she sobbed. TO think
he has got into such a mess. But III
not go back on him-not even If he
goes to prison. He wouldn't deliber-