A Three-volume Novel in Brief.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 49

A Three-volume Novel in Brief.

Some years ago I knew a lady telegraphist in an important Lancashire town. She was engaged to the cashier of one of the largest firms in ) he same town.

One day her lover came to her in great distress. A banknote for £100 was missing, and, as he was the only employe having access to the safe, suspicion naturally fell on him The girl, firmly convinced of his innocence, passed a sleepless night, and next morning wearily went to the office, a prey to anxiety.

She was the first to arrive, and had scarce taken off her outdoor garments when a sharp, businesslike man entered "Send this off at once," he said. "There is no answer. *'* Don't delay a moment, please, for it is very important " And, patting the money down on the desk, he hurried off.

She gazed at the slip, and, to her horror, read: " Arrest Walter C- before he 1-aves home for business." The telegram was to a police sergeant at the other end of the town. For a few minutes she struggled with a fearful temptation

Should she destroy the paper or delay it ? But would thatsave him ? He was innocent, and surely his innocence would be proved. But she was a public servant, bound to do her duty — nay, she must do it.

With her nerves strung to the highest tension she turned to the instrument and sent the words flashing along the wires, then sank down in a dead faint. When she returned to consciousness her lover was bending over her, assuring her that all was well.

One of his employers had absently placed the note between the leaves of his private cash book some da)s previously, and had left town, only returning that morning, and discovered it 10 minutes after the order for Walter's arrest had been, given.

The Brm made amends by giving him a substantial increase of salary, the result of this being a speedy wedding.