The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-04-13
A Rival With
a Past
BY CLAIRE SMITH.

l don't know which was the NOR
unpopular la our town. Anthony Bar
rett. the banker. " Charlie Meadows
his secretary. think on the whoi'
that II was Charlie.
Long Corners has always pridsd II
self Oh being exclusive. But we aren't
dudes. So when this fellow Barrett
VI whom nothing was known. opened
his bsnk and took Charlie 70 be his
confidential secretary, and they pul
on the airs " millionaires. and
wouldn't mix with the rest OF US fel-
lows. Il naturally set Long Corners
against them.
The first time met Barrett was at
the house OF Luella. LuelIs and | bad
always understood thar We were to
lie married when could support her.
l couldn't keep her In much style on
fifteen q week. which was all that Bar
reti allowed me As one of his book
keepers. But / hadn't reckoned on
Barrett Dufting into the game man
VI forty. with nothing known about his
past. except that IL was reported he
had been a JsiIDird.
Luells grew pretty cold TO me when
taxed her about him.
thought for sure she would tell
Barrett and he would fire me- but APP
parently she had too much sense. and
things went On In their usual way.
None Of US fellows In the bank had
any sort Of respecf for Barrett. | was
feeling pretty bad when happened
10 oyerhesr 4 conversation between
Barrett and Charlie.
heard Charlie strike him for raise
In salary.
You're getting SSo now. Mr. Mead
ows." said Barrett. In his cold,
hesrtless way. land that il $40 more
than you could get anywhere else"
Mr.. Barrett" answered Charlie
quietly, Il happen to know that you
have served = I'VE years sentence In
states prison fer the transportation
Of bank funds"
had Just time TO hurry away be- |
fore Charlie came out. He had been |
discharged. Barrett thought he could |
blum Long Corners But he couldn't
blum me. laid hold Of Charlie.
II guess you are feeling pretty sore"
said. II happened to oyerhesr what
Barrett was saying to you. Are you
going TO make Il pubiicr'
you bet I am" he answered. and
his rage made him quite friendly.
I'D give 4 hundred dollars To know
Just where to hit him first." said Char
lie. II got the whole story from some
N his private papers. confound him
Perhaps he'll try 10 buy me on. l felt
,urs was good for that extrs SIS"
'Tll tell you whore to hit him first."
said. He's stolen my rrl-Miss
-uella Mason. Isn't that enoughf I'm
Ioinx right round TO tell her"
walt TIL tomorrow" he urged. "He
nay think better Of II and offer me
thousand to keep quiet. II he does I'll
i've you ten per cent"
l couldn't neglect my duties. and
vss supposed not to know what had
I didn't mean to lose my
I was net going to Luella out
( revenge. but A. friend.
l was at her house ut eight o'clock,
nd by good luck she was alone. When
he saw me she looked unpleasant;
be seoundrel had completely ousted
,e In her esteem
"well. Mr.. CoolidxeY' she began.
well, Mias Msssa." retorted
,ockingly THAT friend OF yours. Bar
1T. Is q thief and q scoundrsl."
-Rsther hard words 10 say about 9 /
-iend OF mine" she said. '
She refused to hear me. but | wa, 4
etermlned that she should. SO | told
pr everything that Charlie had told
'e that morning.
-wheu did this interesting episode
ccurr' she asked. when I had ended.
In 1917" l answered.
"Fsar years ago. But l thought you
I'D he bad served . 6ve-yesr sen
nee"
well. suppose they let him out I
lriy for COED behavior" answered. :
hen Barrett walked into the room :
Luella turned from me to him. J.
This gentleman she said. meaning !,
.. ~has been % kind as TO tell me : :
at old story about the County and :,
ational. Anthony" isnt II q DISGUST. :
& nsme-AntAooy :
you seem 70 have . host Of friends =
ielia.- he answered. This Is the =
nth. isn't itr' !.
The twelfth she answered. and ;,
en- abe turned to me. -Yeu are very :.
,w. Mr.. Coo,idss. Mr. Barrett told :,
} all about that weeks ago. and $40 4,
We many OF his wsli-wishers. Only >,
q left cut the fact that he was par 4,
ned before the nrst ak months were =,
Z because the real thief confessed :,
I'D evening. Mr.. Coolidge
Well. walked cut. wouldn't de-
-sn mys~lf BY arguing with that sort =
man. And Ina stiil In his bank.
'at u his esnfounded hypecritical Z
unins. he won't discharge me and