The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-01-30
FINDLAY'S CONFESSION
It Doesn't Pay to Be Dishonest, Even
Though You Win.
BY LAYTON BREWER
Copyright. 1899, by Ervin Wardman.


turned into coin. Walters acted the
principal in the operation, but both
men signed the brokers' receipt, Find
lay, however, under an assumed name.
Then the two left the Office and Find
lay bore the money in messengers
satchel, which was fastened to his
wrist by leather strap.
They were bound for Findlay's home
in 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 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.
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 a
moments absence.
In the library where Walters waited
he could be heard moving about direct
ly overhead.
her this morning to place 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
ily 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 coveredr' 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 3
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
q few thousand ahead | 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 thai
coin will be counted and 1t 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"
ut was close squeeze" admitted
Walters, ''but l knew 1t for a sure
thing"
Certain enough for an investor, per
haps''-
"You land we'll ahead, at any rateT
"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. I'm goine
to make that brute money pay me some
recompense in luxury for the misery i
cost me. Alice comes home tomorrow
and I've arranged for a leave. and we
shall make a 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. | just gave you more thar
that for engineering this cursed deal
! Specializing under an alias-ugh!
wish could lose the taste Of it," anf
Findiay spat.
"But l need it-not need it, but
have sure play in sight"
'Sorry, old chap, but that none!
STAYS right with me until spend 1t
I'VE got grudge against it, | tell you
It's got to work for me-get me things
It's a personal matter Don't try t
come between a man and his pet enc
| my. That slave can't be seduced,
laughed Findlay.
So Walters Dropped the matter. HI
rose to go soon. i'indlay was noisil.
hospitable in his farewell After speed
ing his guest he walked to the dinin
room, drank a stiff nightcap and pu
| out the lights. In his bedroom he han
died the money again and called
names, waxing rather melodramatit
Then he put it in his safe and tune
the key. "I'm glad Pm not one to al
tract burglars" he said as he smile
at his simple strong box. The drin
and weeks sleeplessness conquere
his overweight nerves as soon as b
touched his sheets and he slept heavily
Some hours later the tiny midnigh
noises of a sleeping house were sharI
ly silenced by loud creaking OF til
stairs. Then everything was breatl
lessly still Again the stairway creal
ed, but more cautiously. A slight ode
of sulphur, the green flicker of
match, and then little candle fam
shed dim light in the upper hall jus
outside Findlay's bedroom. His doc
was tried and yielded slowly, Will
the intruder listened to Findlay
breathing.
Presently the vague light crosse
his room and played around the SAT-
A moment later Its feeble rays wei
searching his clothes -such long, lon
seach 1t madeI Some keys fell loud
to the floor. But the sleeper breathe