The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-06-01

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him that day, her heart sank; one flash
of his masterful eyes. and it seemed to
der that he must read her fiimsy pur-
pose through and through. She had
not smile to offer toward the consum-
nation of that purpose. and no thought
| of jealousy stirred in Rodney's mind.
He thought she was bored by his part
ner's presence, and took the burden of
the conversation upon himself. 1t
turned, as it generally does turn between
men, into business channels. They
were discussing the ACCESSIBILITY of
taking up some heavy warrants which
had been offered them.
"We would have to call in all our
temporary loans,'' said Tendyke. land
! :: would lock up our capital for years.
but 1T is safe investment, and better
to my mind than hazarding the same
amount in more risky enterprises"
You see. Mignon." put in her hus-
band, .Tendyke is even more careful
than l am regarding risks. Ny wife
has none of the progressive spirit of the
age. I'm afraid. and she approves the
steady gait we have been going"
80 you keep yourself posted regard
ing the affairs of the bank. Mrs.
Franceg asked Tendyke. smilingly.
YES" she answered. and there was
defiance which he understood in the
quiet words. 81 have sort of pre-
sentiment that it is an unlucky venture
for us, and L want to be prepared for
the crash when it comes"
Lucky that don't believe in pre-
sentiments" laughed Rodney. Mig
non has It settled that l am fore
doomed to be taken over the
head with a billy. and pitched out
through that back window of the bank
into the river. | try to convince her
that you are the one in danger. sleeping
in the building as YOU do. 1t might be
more burglar-poof than it is. but have
confidence in the strength ofthe vault to
withstand any attacks which may be
made on it.
Mignon. watching him furtively. saw
sudden CLEAN cross the face of her
enemy, whether fierce or mocking she
could not tell. She was watching for
an opportunity of speaking to him
alone, but it did not come. Tendyke
rose TO 90 early. and Rodney. discover
ing that he had an errand on the street.
went out with him: but two minutes
afterward the parlor door opened and
the former reappeared.
Ibid leave my memorandum book.
Mrs. France ?-your husband was look
ing at it. Now, Mignon. be quick with
what you want to say" in dropping
voice, as he crossed the room to her
side.
.'Come and see me when Rodney is
not at home. | dare not awake his
suspicious by going to you. Oh, Varick;
l think even you would pity me if you
knew how very, very unhappy | am
1t was not the way she had meant to
appeal to him. but the truth was more
effective than any art she could have
used. He could not fancy any very
powerful resistance from the dropping
girl, whose deep, sad eyes fell away
from him with such a hopeless look.
"She won't peach to France-the one
thing was afraid Of he said to him
self. Aloud: "Wait. This business of
calling in our funds will keep us both |
busy for the next four weeks. Don't |
bring ruin down on your head sooner
than necessary, Belle June. 1t will |
come soon enough of itself"
She did not at all understand the |
hooking smile which accompanied his |
words. She started up and laid her
hand on his arm to detain him.
"Varick. will nothing tempt you to
spare u.s. Think well before YOU re-
fuse-nothing at all? 1 am too desper-
ate to scruple at anything 1ess-less-
than what you ask"
A hot tide started in the mans veins. |
to chill again under the solemnly earn
EST look on her uplifted face. With a
reiterated Waltz he broke away from |
her light touch.
"Confound it air. he muttered to |
himself. Il thought for second that
she was fiinging herself straight at ne:
but whatever she meant. it WASH that.
And I'm glad of it, he added. with
out that internal pride of hers. La June
be prize worth winning"
The next instant Mignon heard him
speaking on the verandah.
Pound it in another pocket after
giving Mrs. France any amount of
bother. Didn't know / was so careless
in my habits rs all that" and shud-
der ran over her as she sank down and |
buried her face in her hands.
CHAPTER V.
THE TRAGEDY.