Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1906 — FOOLING BENSON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOOLING BENSON

By Charles Freeman

“No one baa been in your compartment since the money caine in, has there?” demanded Robert Cable. “No one,” admitted Jack Niblo, “but, on the other band, 1 have handled no money from that drawer.” “Therefore it must have been a mistake In your addition. I am sorry. Jack, but we shall have to look to you to repay the loss.” “But this is the third time this week that this has happened,” pleaded Niblo. “All the more reason why you should be more careful,” said the president shortly. “It Is inexcusable that a receiving teller should make three mistakes in a single week. If there is a repetition of this trouble I as* afraid that I shall have to replace you.” Niblo bowed and left the private office. It seemed pretty bard to him that he required to -make good a S2OO shortage in a single week, but three times when he had come to balance his accounts he had found that he was short. Once it had been a hundred dollar bill that was missing, and twine his sheet showed a fifty dollar shortage. He had the money with which to make up the loss, fpr he had been saving up ever since Nettle Cable promised to marry him. At this rate the savings would soon vanish, yet if he was forced to give up bls position because he was unreliable his savings would be gone before he could obtain another position without a recommendation from the bank. It was with a heavy heart that he went to meet her. They were to go to a concert that evening. The girl’s quick eyes perceived hip despondency, and as they walked along she drew the story from him. “Who do you think It is?’ she asked. “That’s the worst of it,” he declared. "I have no grounds for suspecting any one. When I come back from lunch to

relieve Benson the money is right to a penny. The loss or mistake or whatever it is comes after that" “But you can’t be making mistakes all the time," she insisted. “Isn’t it possible that some one comes into your cage for a moment?’ “Notasoul was in there all the afternoon," tie said positively. “And Mr. Fells cannot reach over from his cage?’ “The money is all in the drawer. He would have to open that first” “Have you looked behind the drawer?" she asked hopefully. “Perhaps it just fell down behind.” “I had the drawer out,” he explained, “and looked behind it” “Who is that in there?’ she asked suddenly as they passed the bank building. “It must be Benson,” he answered carelessly. “He works late on the foreign business. I don’t know whether he does It because he likes work or because he wants to make a good Impression on your father, but he is at It all the time." “Is the money all locked up?’ “Benson wouldn’t take it anyhow,” he declared, “but the money Is locked with a time look. Benson merely uses the small safe with the books.” “I don’t like Mr. Benson,” she said decidedly, “Father refuses to Interfere, but I know that Mr. Benson has tried to get him to send you away and take him as a son-in-law.” “You don’t suppose he would steal my money, do you?” laughed Jack. *Td think anything," she said positively. “You may laugh If you want to, but somehow I feel that he wants to get you out of the way.” “Forewarned is forearmed," he said, laughing. “We’ll fool him yet, or, rather, you will. I don’t think I’m clever enough.” “I think I’m as clever as Mr. Benson,” she announced, “and I’m going to fool him, see If I don’t.” They turned Into the concert hall, next the bank, and In the music Jack forgot the threat He did not even recall It a few days later when Nettle came Into the bank and, after a chat with her father, made her way to Nlblo’s compartment. He sprung the latch on the lattice door for her and returned to counting the pile •f bills in front of him. She leaned on the counter beside him,

“aren’t you going to tell me about her?” “I would if 1 knew how,” said Billy. “Is she pretty?” “She’s beautiful.” “Light or dark?’ Billy turned a radiant face to his companion. “Her hair is dark—as dark as yours.’* Miss Huston smiled tolerantly. He was too honest, too transparent, to play so delicate a game. Bhe opened her eyes on him under her heavy motor veil. “Of course you love her very dearly,” she said lightly. To her chagrin a hot flush dyed her face from brow to chin. i Billy drew a tense breath. “Love her! I cannot talk about IL It’s like saying my prayers,” he said reverently. Miss Huston leaned back in her seat Why had she never realized before how lovable Billy was? They sat in silence, their thoughts keeping time to the monstrous beat of the motor as the car swung smoothly along the hard road. Billy spoke first “She will be at Mrs. Monteith’s,” he said half shyly. Of course she would. If the motor continued to tear along at its present rate and they didn’t land in a heap at the foot of one of the steep hills, she would be there in about half an hour. Dear, clumsy Billy! She had half a mind to tell him that she understood. His next move was more skillful. “I’m mighty grateful to you for putting me on the right track,” he went on reminiscently. “If it hadn’t been for you— Great Scott,” he broke off, “what a fool I used to make of myself! I don’t wonder you had no use for me.” That he should refer to the past so lightly piqued her. He needed to be taken down a little. “Why bother about the past when you are sure of the present?’ she flashed back. “Why, indeed?” Billy was his cheerful, smiling self again. “Only I was no end of a fool and I’ve always felt that I wanted to apologise to you for ranting around as I dw. Though it was real enough to me —at least I thought so then—and I was terribly cut up when you threw me over,” he went on cheerfully, “and for a good while afterward, too.” “And then?’ “Oh, then I met—her.” Billy’s voice was very gentle. He turned impulsively toward his companion. “When you see her,” he said radiantly, “you will understand.” A shadow crossed Miss Huston’s face. Of course the whole thing was only a ruse of Billy’s, but for a beginner Ms part was remarkably well played. There was a little jolt as Billy lessened speed; then the car swung smoothly. into a wide shaded driveway leading to a rambling ol<l stone house. A laughing, chattering crowd filled the wide porch—tea tables were being set in the old fashioned garden, but as Mrs. Monteith gathered her in a vigorous embrace Katherine was conscious of but two things—that at sight of them a slender, dark eyed girl bad left one of the groups and followed Mrs.-Monteith to the wide stone steps, and that Billy had cleared those steps two at a time and was holding the girl’s hands as if he never meant to let them go. Mrs. Monteith smiled as her eyes followed Katherine’s. “Of course he has told you all about it,” she laughed. “Come, Billy, don’t monopolize Miss Deering—you engaged people are so selfish. Don’t you see I am waiting to introduce Miss Huston to your fiancee?’

“FORTY FIFTIES," HE LAUGHED. “DO YOU MAKE IT THE SAME ?"