The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 41, 12 October 1905, Page 23

The Storyteller

THE TURNING OF THE WORM

Jamies Bray tremWled visibly as he entered the bank in. which, he bad once been a trusted employee. He 'knew, of course, that twelve fellow-citizens, sworn to well and truly try hit. case, had acquitted him , btot some; of has, old associates might still suspect him, peopki mat always agreeing 1 with verdicts. lUrey allj saw that he had aged in the tliree months since ho 'haitl gone away in the custody of the police. A charge of robbery and twelve weeks' anxiety would age any man, especially one whose family needs every penny! of Ins small salary. Some of the clerks came to him with honest congratulation's ; others stood aloof, too busy perhaps — particularly one young man, Oharles Price, who had been promoted to his place. The messenger went into tihe manager's private Office to announce tihe waiting of the former employee, and, ret/urning, (bade hjirn go in. He timidly drew aside the heavy portieres and entered the little room, which was luxurious with tapestry, Brussels carpet, high-carved wainscot, stainedglass wfindows, walls and ceilings of elaiborate papering—everything speckless. A largo screen of cloar plateng'lass kept the heat of the O'ld-tfasMoned wood flire from Mr. Francis 1 Clare, the manager, a stern man of fifty, who sat writing at a fine walnut desk. ' Sit down, Bray,, until I finish these signatures,' siaid the manager busily, and, the Atisitor sank weakly into a capacious chair. ' Bray,' he foegaui at length, after he had rung an electric 'bell and senit out a 'bluindle of papeis by the messenger who answered it, ' I congratulate you on the verdict.' 1 Thank you, sir.' 'Of course,' ha continued, tapping his thiumb-nail with the point of an ivory paper-lonife, ' you cannot censure tihe bank for its action. Appearances ware against you, you know.' Bray straightened himself, and a little spirit showed in his jajded figure as he replied : ' You might 'have been less hasty. You might have given mo more time to clear myself.' ' Well, mv dear sir, you know as well as I do that a banjk cannot U? too strict regarding the honesty of its employees. Wo have other people's money heie It mustl he watched with the most cxactine; vigilance Eefore its \ast interests an individual must toe brushed aside as a worm In this case you were an individual, and you feel as if youi had been treated as a worm But you nvist remember that the stolen package of notes wai on your desk just before you went to 1 your lunch. After you were gone it was missed ' The MsitoT s fate flushed, and be netvously pressed his sallow bands together until the finger inails grew rod, andi asked earnestly : >" Why, sir, you don't still think I took that money, do you ? ' The manager turned round on his revoking chair, still tapping bis nail, and lootked Ihroue;h the sjlass screen into the wawng flames, lie slowly answered : ' I am compelled to say, Bray, that appearances are still against you. That money has nc\er been recovered.' ' In spite of fho verdict, sir ? ' ' Yes, in spitie of the verdict. Frankly, there are s>tijl some people obstinate enough to think you took that money, and, unfortunately for you, they are bank officials.' ' They are unjust,' said thte accused man, with a low chord of despair in Ms tone. ' Prob'aibly. But, as I said, you cannot censure the bank. Trii'O, we tinned you over to the law, for, as I have remarked, you were the individual, the worm to bo brushed 1 aside. But }on musit remember that our prosecution wav not vindictive. Could you expect more ? ' ' Yes,, I think so ' ' What ? ' the manager asked quickly, turning rapidly roiuiiud, now that he had led the man to the chief point. Bray 'aroso 'as if for courage and replied in quivering voice : 'As an intelligent jury acquitted me, it would be no morn than just that I should be reinstated in the batik. 1 'I'm truly snn prised at your mentioning tihat after whaiti I halve said— that some people still believe that you stole that money. Wo can't, we dare not, employ a suß'pectwl man in the bank. 'Besides, your place

has he&H filled by a younger man 1 , of high Social position—l mig(ht say a better man for our purposes in every way. No, Bray, it can't be.' The ' worm ' was turning. A white look drifted across hisf face as he -stepped to the desk and said : ' Arid my family and 1 are to starve because I am suspected ,6|and that after having been acquitted by jury ? 'I couldn't have believed such injustice could be, sir.' 'Oh ! you'll hardly starve,' said the other, ■with aiiiy thojugjhk Of his own secure elevation.. ' You're able^bjoidied and fit, at least, for matfiujalf fliaibor. I'll frankly confess that it will be difficult for you to; sec*ir<J a position of trust in the city. Our refusal to reinstate you will be hard upon you. If I hear of any irrespotnsiible place I'll see what 1 can do for you. I promise yoiu that.' He touched the electric button, and the answering messenger sjibiwed Bray out. Stunned,, helpless, he dragigjcdl Mm self several doors away out of observation from the bank windows, and stopped in sheer despair*. His long anxiety had left (him too weak to resist. Misfortunes seem to delight in striking when we aare least able to strike back. Dayisi passed in vain efforts to secure employment*, Why had he not been reinstated ? It was always the adverse ultimatum. Finally a note came from Clare offering legal copying, in the same manner as a bone is thrown to a d(og. But the dog takes the bone, and Bray took ttie copying. He could make very little, and he and his family were slowly starving. A stronger man might have become criminally desiperate'; Bray sank into the sullen, timid fury that often finds suicidal relief, Ome morning the papers gave glowing accounts of tifoeJ marriage of Charles Price, his successor, to Dora, the beautiful dauigihtler of the manager. It was a union, in high life, and the papers devoted columns to it, naming g,uestsi and describing dresses^* Che prices of which would each have been a fortlune to the discarded employee. This 1 wedding goaded him. The worm had been" ' brushed aside ; he now felt trodden upon. He saw Clare's deliberate sacrifice of himself to advance his son-in-law. A silent hatred, terrible in tendency, gnawed 'him— a thirst for vengeance burned in his timid heart One e\e>nme; a hesitating knock fell upon the door of the poor lodging house whither misfortune had dn\en Bray and his family. He opened it himself, and was ama/ed U> see Mrs Price, Clare's daughter. She was much distressed, and asked nervously for a private mte'miew. Mrs. Bray withdrew, and the young bride tremblingly 1 began . v 'Mr Bray, I ha\e learned that you are hunting for the man who stole the money from your desk at the bank ' lie li>ad mi ade, a few feeble mores in her direction', and his gaunt face hardening at recollection of his failure, ho replied afurmatnely. ' And you ha^e discovered that it was my r .She stopped, stared at him, for a light hud flashed upon him, timing the flush caused by the visit into a pallor, while 9ns eyes, larger now in the thinness of his face, seemed to glare cruelly. He remembered now that Charles Price had frequently done his work while he was out at lunch, and wondeired that he had not thought, of it before. A cold tremor waved over him at the thought of the power this disco\ery would place in his hands. He looked down at the weeping young woman and replied hoarsely : ' Yes, I have discovered it.' ' And you were about to accuse him ? ' ' Yes ; just about to put him where I omce was,* he replied, ferociously. ' Oh ' he is torn with remorse,' she cried, wringing her hands behind her muff. 'He confessed it to- me. Oh ' what a blow to a young wife. Think, Mr. Bray, think what a disgrace to us ' Think where it will drap my husband, and my father and me ! Oh ! llea\eni it would be awful. I came to offer you any sum for your silence. Make it enough to enable you to go away where you can begin life over again.' lie drew himself up proudly, but his eves were unsteady awl his nostrils dilating, while Iris hands, clutching one above the other, the front of his coat, trembled pitiably. In a tone which he tried to force into sternness and steadiness, he answered : ' And still have the disgrace ? No ; T cannot ' do it. *I am entitled to mv good name. Nothing; — nothing 5 can piay me for that. Your father has taken it away from me; ho must give it back. I have nothing: to do with, the disgrace that will fall Tipon your father and your 'husband and— no, not upon you. I would spare that if I could.'

1 I ttooiugihit you had not forgotten, Mr. Bray, the kindness I showed you once..' Waverifog appeared in his face, but an accidental glance around the cramped home, its bareness, its discomfort, cauigtvt his sternness in its flight, and he said : ' Is it tigjht, Mrjs. Price-4s it rigtut ijor ytou to miajke ai pfoio't o£ my; gratituii<e now ? I dare not let it Sinfliuenoe me. Dare I allow this crime to rest upon me an<l let my children grow uip in its shadow ? What wouM your money be to me, when *we would have to go fa* away among, Grangers and have the story follow me there ? No, no ; I would spare you if 1 could, ibut my manhood, my wife, my children demand that this cloiuJd should be swept aw>ay. And your father must d>a it, let consequences be wihat they may. Ha called me 'a worm, to be brushed aside. The worm has turned, Mrs. Price.' 4 Name any amount and I will double it ! ' cried the distressed young wife. I I will no* ! ' • 4 Buit thank, Mr. Bray, that .what I offer you will 'be far more than you could save in years- from your salary at the bank.' 4 And lose something that is worth double, treble any amount you could give. I refuse. I will go tomorrow to yoiur father, awl he must lift the heel that l he foa/s set upon me.' He was very haggard next morning when the messenger showed! him again unto the private office. Mr. Glare agjaini patJ a/t his table, and again kept him waiting. But one could easily have seen Miat the visitor was irritating him. At length, finishing a signature wittt ian unnecessary scratch of the pen, he said sharps ly : '* Bray, lam very busy. To save time, I'll tell you 'at once that there are no vacancies ' A little red spot flushed upon each of Bray's cheeks, and his eyes flashed the p«nt fi\re as he arose, replying: |4 There will be one soon.' *Oh ! there will,' sneeringly. ' I beg your pardon; I didn't know it. Perhaps you mean mine ? ' ■ 4 My old place will be vacant to-day.' The other swung angrily around on his chair, but, catching himself, as if suddenly struck at the mam's seriousness,, Hearted forward, one hand over the other upon! the table, and, with calm scorn, said : ' Yosur name should 'be Daniel Bray. You give your prophecy very little time for fulfilment.' Dray; walked forward and stopped at the table opposite Mr. Clare, placing his hat thereon, with his left hand nervously crumpling it. Stern purpose showed n\ his face, tout he evaded the manager's eyes, fixing his own up,o(n the black figures ujpon the desk calendar. The worm was turning, but with a worm's weakness. 4 Yotu taunt me,' he said chokingly. ' I kmow you are strong and powerful, biu<t I wan* you, sir, not to be too scornful. Do you lo\e your daughter *> ' ' You are impudent ! I'll have you thrown out of the door ! ' Ha touched; the electric button, but Bray's voice stopiped' him. ' Yoiu have married her to the man that stole that money.' Clare sprang up, his face swelling, and striding to the table, with clenched fist, said : ' I called you worm, and I only brushed you aside before. 'I shall 'now crush yonj ! ' ' Send for Price,' Bray said quietly. ' Do- you mean, yiou cur, to reiterate that Charles Price, my son-in-law, stole t'hafc package of notes ? 1 shall maie you rue the accusation ! ' ' Send for him,' Bray repeated quietly, theciimSon spots eocpamfdifng. 'He shall too summoned, and at once ! Do yoat dare t ' Pallor suddenly invaded the crimson, 'but Bray repeated tremjulously : ' Send for Mm.' THlne messenger answered the Ting, withdrew, and Price appeared. With that peculiar stern le\ity which often sihioots up from inward seriousness, Clare motioned fto'urislhiiwg'ly toward Bray and said : 'Ha ' Price, our worm here has turned on us. He says 'that you ' Hta stlolppfctd. One swift look snto Price's face and the manager sank into his chair ; for that face was blanched, <lea|ving' red specks of excitement, and the watery) eyea had a blank stare. «. You— you— ' the manager muttered. lie could not proceed,, could only gaze, fascinated, into Price's twitching tace. Ho waa trying to stand erect, but his chest was heaving, each breath seeming to leaive it more inflated, un-

til, ad if it could hold no more, and guilty thoughts were crowding into .unbearable pressure, with a deep sigh he said : 1 Bray; (h-as spoken truly : I took the money.' Clara sprang u,p, livid, his <fimgers crooking and uncrookimig. He stepped toward the young man, bait stopped andi ujpib<r added him. ' You scoundrel ! You have deceived us ! You will have to suffer ! ' The fierce words seemed to fan Price's smouldering couirage, and he said : '*< Yoiu know why I stole that money. 1 4 I know ? ' ' If you don't, you should.' ' I don't, and I shouldn't.' ' Then listen, for you must (know. By your will yoiui forced your daughter to marry me against her choioe. I was of high family ;• you hoped for some advasntaigjo. Don't deny it ; you did. I loved Dora ; I love her yet. I took that money to bear the expenses of our elegant wedding that you insisted upon. Ycvur wish hias been fulfilled, your daughter married high. Slid is a Price, and I— l am a thief ! Now what will you do ? Turn me over to the law and disgrace your daughter and yourself ? ' The manager fell back into his chair and caught the arms m a grasp of iron. Price remainett as he uttered the last word, not defiant, (hut as if waiting a blow ; while Bray stood still by/ the table, his hat crusmpled tightly in his left band, his right clutching the ed\ge of the. desk. He had not moved since Price came in. A silence prevailed in the room, so deep that the hum of the bank reached them, with the rustling of crisp notes, even the scratching of the nearest pen. Clare's face showed a conflict. The two watchers saw justice desperately fight its way to victory. It almost seemed as if the anger wrinkles uncurled into those of age. He looked a bowed, broken man, years older, as he turned to his son-in-law, und in a softer, but E>till stern, voice said : 4 Price, you have disgraced me and my child ! It would seem that I should shield you, for Bray oannot prove your theft.' He slowly arose, and a little of the old tone he hn.d (used toward Bray rang in his voice as he exclaimed : 'But individuals and their relatives (and their hearts fink 'before the interests of a great institution such as this. The directors are here. It is my duty to lay this matter belore them. Both of you wait uriitil 1 come back.' -* ■ i lie looJitd at neither as ho spoke, but vacantly, as if his whole attention was engaged in wringing these words from b| reluctjaat heart,, and he loo kied! at neither as ho tairned, dignified, determined, and went ojul> of a small door. Price s>anik into Ifhc nearest chair, brut Bray stood. The worm; had turned, and' was still. Silence, pierced by suspense, crept into the office. The brazen clock beat- on sedately, with a seeming longer interval of waiting* /between ticks ; the bu/ta of the bank and the rattle of wheels in the street leaked in, and each moment Price sank lower into 'his chair, waves of suspense dashing their white foam on /his face. But the ' worm ' still stood, looking at the door through which had vanished the man Against whom ho had turned. His sallow, troubje-streaked face was a study— a deserted look there, a 9 if something 'were rctreaWg to 'Ms head, an expression of looking backward over his suffering and the dreadful consequences of his assured guilt, or even suspicion of it. There are degrees of satisfaction. Some demand the highest pleasure ; others are content with little. The venigpancer of sonne stops not on this side of nvurder, ' If the trodd'em worm doth turn, tiath it strength to justify revenge ? ' Clare returned, wounded, b*ut determined ; the old dignity there, tout tempered. "Bray, the directors want you. You have suffered most. 'Wo will wait and hear their decision regarding you.' The merest tr amble of appeal was in the tone, the merest sign to the eyes and face. The mighty man who SiaJd crushed Mm was now appealing to him. Here was the triumph he had prayed for— the chance to mercilessly avenge. But the ' worm ' quivered, crumpled the hat still more, Mid walked weakly through the <door to meet the solemn body above. The next day he stood making figures as of old in his book ; tine manager, changed, less assertive, .older, wrote wavering signatures in his luxurious room, and Charles Price, with his wife, had gone to Australia 'for his health.'— Exchange.