Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1899-11-01

cost me. Alice comes home tomorrow
and I've arranged for leave, and we
shall make n little journey, first class.
have discounted either outcome, you
see"
Walters bit bis mustache. Couldn't
you stake me Sl.5O0 over tomorrow,
then? III pay you what you like"
why. ! Just gave you more than
that for engineering this cursed deal. |
Specializing under an alias-ugh!
wish could lose the taste of it," and
Findlay spat.
But | need lt-not need 1t, but !
have sure play in sight"
Sorry, old chap, but that money
stays right with me until spend it.
I've got grudgc against it, | tell you.
It's got to work for me-get me things.
It's n personal matter Don't try to
come between man and his pet enc
my. That slave can't be seduced,"
laughed Findlay.
So Walters dropped the matter, lie
rose to 80 soon. INindlay was nolsily
hospltable In his farewell. After speed
ing his guest he walked TO the dining
room. drank a stiff nlghtcap and put
out the lights In his bedroom he ham
died the money again aud called 1t
names. waxing rather mclodranatiC.
Then he put 1t in his safe and turued
the key. Tin glad I'm not one to ut.
tract burglars" he said as he smiled
Mt his simple strong box. The drink
and weeks sleeplessness conquered
his overwrought nerves as soon as he
touched his sheets and he slept heavily.
Some hours later the tiny midnight
noises of Il sleeping house were sharp
! ly sllenced by Il loud creaking of the
stairs. Then everything was breath.
lessly still. Again the stairway crenk-
ed, but more cautiously. slight odor
of sulphur, the green flicker of n
match. and then little candle flame
shed dim light in the upper hall Just
outside fridays bedroom. His door
was tried and yielded slowly, while
the intruder listened to tndlay's
breathing.
Presently the vague light crossed
his room and played around the safe.
A moment later its feeble rays were
searching his clothes--such long, long
seach it mudel Some keys fell loudly
to the floor But the sleeper breathed
with heavy regularity
Next the candle appeared beside the
safe. a key clicked and the littlc door
/ swung wide. From out Of its dark re-
cesses the man dragged its treasure TO
the last coin.
Suddenly the air thrilled under the
shril roll of the telephone bell hanging
directly beside the head Of the bed
/ The thief sprang to the Instrument and
/ valnly tried to stife Its alarm. But in
the darkness I'lndlay turned on his
bed stretched and slowly raised him
self on one elbow. to feel the cold ring
of revolver's muzzle thrust against
his forehead.
zone move and you're dead man!'
he heard.
The blind night terror was on him,
and, shivering, he held himself stir
against the muzzle. Somebody talked
into his telephone, but he could not see
an outline in the black room. The cold
ring pressed unwaverlngly against his
face.
Yes, 1t is L." 1t seemed his own
voice speaking.
g"
mo, don't remember"
e."
mo; of course l won't come at this
hour"
t."
mo. won't. won't be there at all
Il won't be there at ALL"
g."
Because I'm $4,000 short"
The revolver pressed harder as Find
lay started.
STEADY" cautioned the voice in a
thrilling whisper.
60"
mo; I'm going to shoot myself"
A frightened clerk held the telephone
receiver at the Combined Oil com
pany's office. Facing his companions
he cried: For Gods sake! Here's
Flndlay says he's $4,000 short" Tho
others came running to him. He says
he's going to shoot then as he hello
the receiver gingerly from his ear they
all heard the echoed report of the shot
New York Press.