e stage to-day."

"So Britt gave me to understand, when I reported that he didn't come on
the night train."

"But I looked out of the window a little while ago--there was no
passenger with Jones."

"Has the stage come?" He glanced at the clock and blinked at the girl.
"Well, I guess those books had me hypnotized!"

"Small wonder," she said, bitterly. "I tell you I'm afraid, Frank!
There's something we don't see through!"

"I don't dare to waste any more time wondering what the trouble is,
Vona. I must get on to the job."

"Both of us must."

"It's time for you to be going home."

"I'm going to stay here."

"But, dear girl, there's the play! You have the leading part!"

"The words will stick in my throat and tears will blind me when I think
of you working here alone. Frank, I insist! I will not leave you. They
must postpone the play."

He went to her and laid her hands, one upon the other, between his
caressing palms. "The folks will be there--they are expecting the
play--you must not disappoint them. It's as much your duty to go to the
hall as it is mine to stay here with the books. And another thing! Think
of the stories that will be set going, with the bank examiner here, if
it's given out that the play had to be postponed because you couldn't
leave the books. Such a report might start a run on the bank. Folks
would be sure to think there's trouble here. You must go, Vona. It's for
the sake of both of us."

He went and brought her coat and hat.

"I can't go through with the play," she wailed.

"We've got to use all the grit that's in us--whatever it is we're up
against. Come! Hold out your arms!" He assisted her with the coat.

He drew her toward the door with his arm about her. "We'll make a good
long day of it to-morrow--a holiday. George Washington never told a lie.
Perhaps those books will come to themselves in the morning and realize
what day it is and will stop lying! Now be brave!"

The kiss he gave her was long and tender; she clung to him. He released
her, but she turned in the corridor and hurried back to him. "I
shouldn't feel as I do--worried sick about you, Frank! The books must
come out right, because both of us have been careful and honest."

"Exactly! The thing will prove itself in the end. The money in that
vault will talk for us! I'll do a little talking, myself, when--But no
matter now!"

"You have suspicions! I know you have!"

"Naturally, not believing as much in ghosts or