Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-11-02
FINDLAY'S CONFESSION
1t Doesn't Pay to BE Dishonest, Even
Though You Win.
By LAYTON BREWER.
Copyright, 1899, bv Ervtn Workman.
By LAYTON BREWER.


In a near suburb, but neither spoke be-
cause of their whirling brains. AS the
cool harbor breezes refreshed them on
the voyage across the bay. Findlay was
in some difficulty to restrain his exu-
berance and at the same time guiltily
uneasy. After a brisk walk from the
ferry house they entered a cottage, of
which Findlay used the key.
He ushered his companion into a
library and now assumed proprietor
ship over the money which he had
hitherto disguised. From the bag he
lifted several canvas pouches that
clinked heavily as he placed them upon
a table, and two thick packets of notes.
"Ten per cent to you" he said, re-
peating a phrase well worn between
them as he opened the bills and began
a rapid counting.
YES" assented Walters.
''Well. there's nothing to sign be
tween us. Here you are" and Findlay
pushed over the sum mentioned He
hastily verified the remaining pack
ages and mumbled an apology for a
moments absence.
In the library where Walters waited
he could be heard moving about direct
ly overhead.
Presently Findlay returned. 81 told
her this morning to place cover for
you. have a reasonable claret. but
there Is only cook here, SO the service
is what one chooses to make for him
self"
Walters accepted the invitation read
lily enough, and soon after the woman
announced dinner.
After the meal, when they were Sc
cure from further interruption, they
opened on the one topic of interest
Smoke wreaths drifted between them.
Findlay often raised his long tumbler
of Scotch and soda, slowly relaxing
from his weeks Of anxiety. Walters
drank little.
THANK the Lord, it is over and my
tracks are coveredw exclaimed Find
lay.
"Then you're out of it for goodY
asked Walters. He displayed. evidently
against his purpose, greater eagerness
than one manifests in the affairs of
friend.
"For good A muffied telephone
bell interrupted his declaration. He
pushed his chair back from the table.
That's the works. They have me on
a private line with the office in case
anything important turns up while I'm
here They'll be on the books all to-
night. Just one moment"
When Findlay was seated once more,
he resumed: why. look at it! To get
a few thousand ahead l took life and
death chances-worse. Do you know
what this weeks boom meant for me?
See here. They're closing up the books
over there. So far my shortage has
been covered by coin in the vaults
which wasn't there. Tomorrow that
coin will be counted and it will be
there. But If the market hadn't BOOM
ed, the corporation and the missus
would have divided the life insurance.
but the missus would have had the dis
grace all to herself"
at was a close squeeze" admitted
Walters, "but l knew it for a sure
thing"
Certain enough for an investor, per-
haps"-
"You land well ahead, at any ratey
"a couple Of thousand maybe"
"Why not lake a turn with that? |
can place.
'No, sir! I'm going to spend It,"
cried Findlay boisterously. Pm going
to make that brute money pay me some
recompense in luxury for the misery IL
cost me. Alice comes home tomorrow
and I've arranged for a leave, and we
shall make little journey. first class.
/ have discounted either outcome, you
see."
Walters bit his mustache. Couldn't
you stake me $1,000 over tomorrow.
then? I'll pay you what you like"
why, l just gave you more than
that for engineering this cursed deal
Specializing under an alias-ugbl I
wish could lose the taste Of it." and
3lndlay spat.
But l need it-not need 1t, but I
have sure play In sight"
Sorry, old chap, but that money
stays right with me until / spend 1t.
I've got grudge against 1t, | tell you.
It's got to work for me get me things.
It's a personal matter Don't try to
come between a man and his pet enc
my. That slave can't be seduced,"
laughed Findlay.
So Walters dropped the matter. He
rose to go soon. Findlay was noisily
hospitable In his farewell. After speed
ing his guest he walked to the dining
room, drank a stiff nightcap and put
out the lights. In his bedroom he han
died the money again and called 1t
names, waxing rather melodramatic
Then he put It In his safe and turned
the key. "I'm glad I'm not one to at.
tract burglars" he said as be smiled
at his simple strong box. The drink
and a weeks sleepIessness conquered
his overwrought nerves as soon as he
touched his sheets and he slept heavily.
Some hours later the tiny midnight
noises Of sleeping house were sharp
ly silenced by loud creaking of the
stairs. Then everything was breath.
lessly still. Again the stairway creak-
ed, but more cautiously. slight odor
of sulphur. the green flicker Of
match, and then a little candle fame
shed dim light In the upper hall just
outside Findlay's bedroom His door
was tried and yielded slowly, while
the Intruder listened to Findlay'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 a long. long
seaeh It madel Some keys fell loudly
to the floor But the sleeper breatbed
with heavy regularity
Next tue candle sppeared beslqe tbs