The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-10-20

VI, yes, J. u HtlUG u DuCh.'
Don't be mawkish. Come to the
point. You want something. What is
it?"
"Why, you're positively brutal, you
uncompromising young dog!" said Della
tole, with laugh, and then leaned con-
fidingly on his arm, something terrier
like in the intensified sharpness of his
face, "but here goes! l know you'll help
me, now that you are a Crosus again.
I'm tired working for The Challenge.
The pay, large as it seems, is beastly
small for all do. Emerson is anxious
to sell The Morning Cry, and want to
buy it. Whew! What chance for me-
I'd make it yell. Why, I'd be rich in a
year. Now, if can only pay him third
Of the required amount down, it's mine.
want you, Murray, to lend it to me-"
1t was triumph that flickered deeply
in Toms level glance. How often in his
luckless moments this voice had sharply
prodded him that now. sunk to a caress-
ing tone, asked help of him!
"Quite impossible, my dear Delatole,"
he said promptly, with a shrug. "Ineed
every Jenny just now"
you're jesting." And Delatole grew
visibly paler. what is your pressing
need, pray'"
81 must pay my debts. AS you so Of
ten reminded me, they are legion. lowe
you nothing more-thank God for that
but there are Others"
Murray, this is bosh. Let them wait.
/ should certainly be first with you.
This is critical moment for me. You
can't refuse"
Il do. refuse"
There was a sullen, red point in Della
tole's purplish pupils. He felt very
much as an elderly hen does who sees a
half feathered chicken leave the shelter
of her wing and with defiant chirp
make its hesitating way alone. 1t was a
moment before he could control himself
and speak.
"Surely Mrs. Baudoine's money"-he
commenced with a forced, insulting
laugh.
you've talked good deal about that
money, Delatole. I'm sorry it must be
left out of your calculations. The en-
gagement's off. Sink or swim, go il
alone. Mrs. Baudoine understands, and
we remain good friends"
$50 that's the way the wind lies? YOU
must be growing sentimental again
Well, then, your own money will an
swer. You're drawing big royalties from
your play, and it's one to last. tellyou
Murray, if you refuse to assist me yor
are a contemplate migrate" He stood
up, placed his palms upon the table, hi
voice coiling serpent wise around tho
words. sit was 1 who made you. Dom
forget that, my friend. You are an un
formed STRIPPING, youngster cropping il
the dark, without polish, without suav
ity. Why, without me-
The blood rushed to Toms face.
"Dcnt remind me Of what l was
without you. Don't let me think o
what have become following you," hr
interrupted fiercely. "You made me
you say? have ruined myself, rather
and you have ably assisted at the wreck
ing. You can no more remake me nov
than can myself"
He stood up, his eyes flashing witt
their old impulsive passion. The word
came slowly, deliberately:
perhaps it's just as well we Bpeal
plainly at last. Delatole, you've robbed
me-"
"WhatY'
eyes, you've lived upon me success
fully for two years. I'm negligent abou
money, and let you go on, but I'm no
fool. You have bled me in most con
sistenI and mastery manner, doubled
my expenses with a lavish recklessness
and 1 knew it all the time. But KEEP
the peace, for l had made up my mind t,
end it at the first opportunity" HI
leaned forward, his face close to Della
tole's, and his clinched hand rang on TIN
table. "It's ended now"
During his adventurous life Anthony
Delatole had many times been surprised
but never so thoroughly COMPOUNDED be
fore. He stood leaning upon the tabl,
and watched Tom out of the room
There was craven malignity in ever
line of his sneering face. A longing al
most irresistible gripped him to knocl
Tom down and kick him until the hot
brutal desire for retaliation had beer
glutted.
"Stumped, by Godr' he muttered.
CHAPTER XIII