Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-12-03
In Time of Need
By T. B. ANDERSON
(CO. Is2o Western Newspaper Union

Gordon Keith had made serious
mtsstep In life and no one at River
vine knew of it except Hugh Doane'
Strange to say, too, the latter, fully
aware or the details of the matter
had taken Keith first into his employ
and then had made him partner IN
the bank.
Doane had advertised fer a bank
clerk in a periodical devoted to BANK
ing interests and Keith had come by
train to Riveryille. TO apply for the
position.
Doane was very greatly impressed
with the candidate and was deeply
surprised when the latter told MN
frankly that he had just finished
two years term in a Canadian peni-
Tertiary. He had confessed to the
law the crime of uttering forged
note TO secure money, to save close
friend, who was himself the culprit.
When he had finished all the details
Gordon Keith extended his hand.
II believe in you; l trust you;
take you into my employ" said this
warm-hearted. sympathetic man You
were driven to your error by a stu
alton even / could not have resisted
under the circumstances. Let this
never be alluded to again. / will be
your lifelong friend If you deserve 1t"
81 shall deserve it," declared Cor
don Keith solemnly.
He kept his word. So valuable did
he become in building up the bank
clientele, so straightforward in all his
dealings that three years later he was
given one-t'lird interest in the in
stitution. 1t was Keith who secured
the exclusive sale at high commits
sion of some utility bonds and
through several large realty deals and
the capital of the bank. and his per
sonal share of the profits represented
small fortune.
Doane wondered what Keith did
with his gains, Jut never asked him
about them. Either he kept them
locked up in his private safe or in
vested them in securities in the city.
One thing he did not do-that was to
waste his money in extravaganza.
Keith continued to live at the bare
minimum of expense.
Mabel Doane was girl Of twelve
when Keith first appeared in River
Vile. Her mother had died and she
was sent to a distant institution of
learning, the president of which was
a close friend. This meant safe
and congenial home for the young girl,
and she came home very rarely. At
length at eighteen she graduated and
returned to her real home perma-
nently She had grown into a crea-
ture of rare beauty and grace, and as
time went on Keith appeared to idol
ize this fair, lovely being equally
with her father. Every birthday or
other occasion where it was possible
Keith always bestowed upon Mabel
some rich gift, so expensive in fact
at times that Doane demonstrated
with him.
"You will spofl her, Keith" he
said, land the money you spend on
her would credit a millionaire"
"Oh, l have very liberal surplus"
Keith would say, quietly. you know
/ am saving and economical, and you
must not rob me of the greatest pleas
ure of my life."
There were times when Doane,
noting that his daughter cared little
for company outside of the family
circle, and that she seemed to greatly
cherish the little kindnesses and at
tentions of Keith, realized that a
close attachment might come about,
for their ages were not unequal. He
put the idea out of his mind how
ever, as he saw that both acted as
though their companionship as dear
friends met their desire entirely.
II was exactly eight years after
Keith had become a partner in the
bank that a period of general strin-
gency spread over the country. One
morning Hugh Doane arose 10 find the
street about the bank thronged with
alarmed depositors. There was also
a run on two other institutions in the
town and one of them at once closed
irs doors.
Mabel heard of the trouble and
came down to the baak. She hurried
at once to her father, who was greatly
agitated over the trouble that threat
ened, for 1t would be impossible TO
get all the ready cash needed from
the city banks under twenty-four
hours.
Kaith,s face hriOhtened aS Mahal
came into the private office. He gave
his partner an encouraging look and
took Mabel's hand, gently and re-
spectfGlly conducting her to his pri-
vate safe.
'Now. dear little one, you open as
/ give you the combination"
The surprised girl followed his di-
rections. Then Keith observed to his
pale and perturbed partner as the