In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy

ich was experienced on the 23rd of December, 1879, at the news that Mr. Partridge, the cashier at the ban

by James Johnstone, President, to the effect that the loss, although heavy, would in no degree affect the stability of the bank, that the assets were equal t

concentrate their attention upon the subject of the missing cashier. A few said that they had always suspected that something was wrong, but these were the people who are always wise after an event; the majority admitted frankly that there was nothing in William Partridge's antecedents or be

l, he kept no equipage, and had no expensive tastes. His reputation indeed was that of a somewhat retiring man with a higher degree of culture and education than most of his neighbours, with quiet and refined manners and studious tastes. All these things, however, would not have prevented him from being seized with the demon "speculation". For ma

itors. Mr. James Johnstone had always been a popular personage in Brownsville, but he was never so popular as upon this occasion. A deputation of shareholders and depositors waited upon him to express their thanks for his vigilance

er side, but appeared rather in the character of an arbitrator. His speeches were always pleasing to both parties, throwing oil on the troubled waters. He was a large subscriber to all the local charities, and although he himself belonged to the Baptist persuasion he made no distinction between the various creeds in the distribution of his alms. Such being the case, when Brownsville once realized the fact tha

la Fairfax, a girl of some sixteen years of age,

te to show his face here," Percy Joh

the conversation, but had been sitting in a corner, undisturbed, manufactu

he should know what a valiant champion he has; but, you see, we have scriptural

to talk so. I suppose you think because Roland Partridge is to suffer for the faul

nconsiderable extent on account of the social position of the banker. He coloured hot

there is any necessity for quarrelling over it, but we have got to discuss it. It would not be quite pleasant, yo

e what?" Cissie W

ke to go out sleighing

issie answered quietly. "Indeed he did ask me two days ago, and

Jane Simmonds, the el

has other things to think about. I only say th

llow going than Roland. He may not be quite so brilliant as some fellows," and he glanced at Percy, "and he does not go out of his own

"who would perhaps have said as much two days ago for his f

rong one, I can tell you. Everyone knows that you never liked Roland, because he always beat you in cla

e here to make decorations for to-morrow, and the demon of discord seems to have entered in. I vote, girls, t

the meeting, that less interest than usual was taken in the various discussions, and that the thoughts of most of the young people were otherwise occupied. Little whispered conferences went on before they broke up; the opinions of m

her. Roland had, a few days before, gone over to stay for a week with an uncle who lived some twenty miles away, and had that morning received

absolutely impossible, that my

our father is the last man in

ated, as far as

position. He wanted nothing more; and I have often heard him say that no one

urely he must have said somethi

death. His lips were trembling, and he could hardly speak. When I begged him to tell me what was the matter with him, he said,

ning, and surely condemned, and I could not stand it. It would kill me. I must go. There is no other way. I will write to you and tell you what to do when I can think it over. But I can't think now.' He was in such a nervous state that it was useless to speak

he was off to catch the train. I don't think he was five minutes in the house altogeth

u and I know perfectly well that he is innocent, but his running away will, of course, convince everyone else that he is guilty. I

s, my son, but the weaknesses of his character. He is, as you know, a man of strict, nay, of extreme, honour and integrity. But he is sensitive almost to a fault. He has no self-assertion and very little self-confidence. He is just the man, in fact, to bend before a storm rather than brave it; and althou

t his father was lacking in force of character. There was a disinclination to find fault, a shrinking from unpleasantness, and an avoidance even of argument; a desire that everything should go on with clock-like regularity, and that nothing should disturb the even tenor of life, whi

once to try and find him, and to persuade him to return, whatever the circumstances may be against him. It would be a thousand times better to

once, and to sell the furniture; and then, in the meantime, if I do not hear from your father, to move right away to some place w

r may have given up the battle in despair, but I shall stay and fight it out. We know that he did not take this money-it is for me to find out w

eadful," Mrs.

it has to be done, mother, for only so can we hope to prove that father is an honest man. But I don't ask you to stay, mother. I am quite sure that

rs. Partridge said. "I could not lea

myself, but I should suffer ten times more in seeing you suffer. Therefore, mother, I do think that my plan is the best. I hope that it will not be for very long

ays. The first thing to do is to get rid of the house and sell t

ed to manage. The lease had still two years to run, but he did not see how she would be able to pay her rent. He had that morning received an application from a gentleman who was willing to take the house if he could obtain possession at once, and Roland's proposa

e see you, but don't want to speak to you. Others nodded, as if they would have liked to have stopped and chatted with me, but were rather afraid to do so; while Tom Fernlea and two other fellows came up and shook hands just as heartily as usu

guided by the opinions of the world; and though it seems hard that the sins of parents should in any degree be visited upon their children, we must remember that children get the benefit the other way. If a boy or a girl's father is a rich and popular man, they will be made more of than when not so situated. Of course this is wrong,

oing anything for the next day or two;" and a shade passed over Roland's face as he thought how widely his Christmas day would differ from his anticipations