El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-08
FINDLAY'S CONFESSION
It Doesn't Pay to BE Dishonest, Even
Though You Win.
BY LAYTON BREWER.
Copyright, 1899. by Ervtn Wdrdrnan-


The funds were ready for them a,
their brokers' Office in the form they
had specified when Findlay and Wal
tiers called. Only that morning had
their holdings, large amount secured
originally by a narrow margin, been
turned into coin. Walters acted the
principal in the operation, but both
men signed the brokers' receipt, Find
Then the two left the office and Find
lay bore the money in a messenger
satchel, which was fastened to his
wrist by leather strap.
They were bound for Findlay's homo
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 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 a 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
q 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
q rapid counting.
EYES," 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 q
moments absence.
In the library where Walters waited
he could be heard moving about direct
" overhead.
Presently Findlay returned. st told
her this morning to place a cover for
you L have a reasonable claret, but
there is only a 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 good Y
asked Walters. He displayed, evidently
against his purpose, greater eagerness
than one manifeStS in the affairs of 3
friend.
For good muffled 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
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
q few thousand ahead l took life aud
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"
1T was q close Squeeze" admitted
Walters, ''but l knew it for a sure
thing"
Certain enough for an investor, per
haps"-
"You land well alread. at any rateW
"a couple of thousand maybe"
why not take a turn with that?
can place.
mo. sir! I'm going to spend it,"
cried Findlay boisterously. Pm going
to make that brute money pay me some
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"
'sWhy. just gave you more than
that for engineering this cursed deal
Specializing under an alias-ugh! j