GOLTER entered the banking room attired in a natty business suit. There was nothing unusual about Golter's being well dressed. He was always neatly attired. The unusual thing about Golter on this particular morning was that he carried a bouquet of rosebuds in his hand. Pearl Gardner did not see Golter when he entered the room, but was soon conscious of his presence. (Lately she was constantly conscious of his presence if he was anywhere around.) She looked up from her work and gave him one of her sweetest smiles. "Good morning, Mr. Golter."
"Good morning, Miss Gardner," he responded.
She was at once interested in the bouquet which he carried. Surely, she thought, he intends those rosebuds for me. I do not see why he doesn't give them to me at once. He placed the roses on his own desk. Perhaps, she thought, he is waiting until we are alone to give them to me. A number of times both the teller and cashier had stepped out, but the roses still remained on Golter's desk. When Pearl returned to work after the noon lunch they were gone. Later in the day she located them on Ruth's desk. During the rest of the afternoon things did not go well with her—she got her figures muddled and had to work an hour overtime that evening to get her books to balance. Before leaving the bank she stepped into the office of the president.
"Mr. Stover," she began, "I have a matter I wish to speak to you about, that is, I feel that it is my duty to speak to you about it. I don't like to tattle on anyone, but there are some things that are of such importance to your employer that I think it is one's duty to tell, even though it exposes a fellow employee."
"Certainly, Miss Pearl, certainly. If you are in possession of any information that your employer should have it is your duty to inform him. What is it?"
"Did you know that you have an employee who is a Klan sympathizer?"
"I did not. Who is it?"
"Ruth Babcock."
"Is that so! What does Ruth say about it?"
"She has a lot to say in favor of the Klan. She makes a regular lecture on white supremacy. She's strong for the Kluxers."
"Thank you, Pearl. I'll take care of Miss Babcock. No one can work in this bank and talk in favor of that bunch of outlaws."
Pearl started to leave the room and then turned back. "Mr. Stover, I wish that you would not mention my name in connection with this."
"No. I'll not say anything about where I got my information."
When Stover entered the bank room after this information had been imparted to him he found his nephew, Chester Golter, preparing to leave.
"Just a minute, Chester, before you go. I wish to speak to you."
"All right, Uncle Jim."
"I just heard that Ruth Babcock is talking in favor of the Klan. Have you ever heard her say anything that would indicate that she is a Klan supporter?"
"Yes. I have. I heard her say that if she were a man she would be a Klansman."
"Did she say that?"
"She certainly did."
"You know that I informed the men of this bank long ago that I would not retain in my employ any man who joined the Klan. Now, I will not retain a man or woman in my employ who talks in favor of the Klan or lends his influence to it in any way. Ruth will have the pleasure of looking for another job."
"Uncle Jim, I don't believe that Ruth is to blame so much as is someone else."
"Who?"
"Harold King."
"What has King to do with it?"
"Ruth runs around a great deal with King, and you know that he is a Klansman."
"Yes, and I know that he is an impudent puppy, too."
"I am satisfied that Ruth is influenced by King. If she would quit associating with King I believe she would be all right."
"I'll fix King. I have just been waiting for a chance to land on that young upstart."
"I wouldn't like to see Ruth lose her job," Golter remarked.
"I'll give her a chance."
"Thank you, uncle."
Ruth had scarcely removed her wraps the next morning when Stover called her into his office.
"Ruth," he began, "I have tried to be a friend to you."
"Yes, I think you have, Mr. Stover."
"I wouldn't give you wrong advice any sooner than I would my own daughter, and what I shall say to you now is for your own good." He spoke in his most paternal voice.
"I am always glad to receive good advice."
"I thought you would be or I would have dismissed you without saying a word." (Ruth's eyes opened wide and the color left her cheeks.) "I thought you would be sensible." He laid his hand in a fatherly way on her shoulder. She shrank from his touch.
"I have heard that you are talking in favor of the Klan?"
"I have said some things in favor of the Klan."
"And you know that I am unalterably opposed to these midnight riders.............