Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-12-09


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 fiickered 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 Il need
every penny just now"
You're jesting," And DSlatole grew
'isibly paler. What is your pressing
need, pray
Il 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
l should certainly be first with YOU.
This is critical moment for me You
can't refuse"
Il do. refuse"
There was Il sullen, red point in Della
tole's purplish pupils. He felt very
much as an elderly hen does who sees q
half feathered chicken leave the shelter
of her wing and with n 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 forced, insulting
laugh.
You've talked good deal about that
money, Delatole. I'm sorry it must be
left ont of your calculations. The en-
gagement'S off. Sink or swim, l 60 it
alone. Mrs. Baudoine understands, and
we remain good friends"
so 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 its one to last. tell You,
Murray, if You refuse to assist me YOU
are conte'nptible migrate" He stood
up, placed his palms upon the table, his
voice coiling serpent wise around the
words. 1t was l who made You. Don't
forget that, my friend. You are an un-
formed stripping. youngster cropping in
the dark, without polish. without suav-
ity. Why. without me-
The blood rushed to Toms face.
Don't remind me of what l was
without you. Don't let me think of
what l have become following YOU" he
interrupted tiercely. You made me,
You say: have ruined myself. rather,
and You have ably assisted at the wreck
ing. You can no more remake me now
than can l myself"
He stood up, his eyes flashing with
their old impulsive passion. The words
came slowly, deliberately:
Perhaps it's just as we'll we speak
plainly at last. Delatole, you've robbed
me-"
What"
Yes. you've lived upon me success.
fully for TWO years. I'm negligent about
money, and let yen go on, but I'm not
u fool. You have bled lie in 4 most CON
sisteQt and nustcrly manner, doubled
my expenses with 4 lavish recklessness,
and l knew it all the time. But l kept
the peace, for had made up my mind to
end IT at tho first opportunity" He
leaned forward, his face close to Della
tole's. and his clinched hand rang on the
table. Its ended now"
During his adventurous life Anthony
Delatole hadmany times been surprised,
but never 50 thoroughly COMPOUNDED be
fore. He stood leaning upon the table
and watched Tom out of the room.
There was craven malignity i'll every
line of his suecrinG face. 4 longing al
most irresistible -ripped him to knock
Tom down and kick him until the hot,
brutal desire for retaliation had been
glutted
''Stumped. by God" he muttcred.