Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-02-22
FINDLAY'S CONFESSION
1t Doesn't Pay to BE Dishonest, Even
Though You Win.
BY LAYTON BREWER.
Copy4ight, 1899, by Erutn Wdrdman.
BY LAYTON BREWER.

COpyright, 1899, by Ervtn Wd1drnan. \
The funds were ready for them at
their brokers' office in the form they
had specified when Findlay and Wal
tiers called. Only that morning had
their holdings, a 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
lay, however, under an assumed name.
Then the two left the Office and Find.
lay bore the money in a messengers
satchel, which was fastened to his
wrist by a leather strap.
They were bound for Findlay's home
in a zeal 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 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
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
q 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 mumbIed an apology for a
moments absence.
In the library where Walters waited
he could be heard moving about direct
ly overhead.
Presently Findlay returned. Il told
her this morning to place a cover for
you. | 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, 1t is w and my
tracks are covered" exclaimed Find
lay.
"Then you're out Of it for goodT'
asked Walters. He displayed, evidently
against his purpose, greater eagerness
than one manifests in the affairs Of a
friend.
"For GOOD A mufled 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,
be resumed: 'Why, look at it! To get
q few thousand ahead ! 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 IL 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 a close squeeze" admitted
Walters, "but l knew it for q sure
thing"
Certain enough for an investor, per
haps''-
"You land well ahead. at any rate"
"A couple Of thousand maybe"
"Why not take a turf with that2 ]
can place.
"No, sir! I'm going to spend It,"
cried Findlay %boisterously. "Tm going
b make that brute money pay me some
recompense In luxury for the misery II
cost me. Alice comes home tomorrow
and I've arranged for a leave, and We
shall make q little journey, first class
have discounted either outcome, you
see."
Walters bit his mustache. "Couldn't
you stake me $500 over tomorrow
then I'll pay you what you like"
why, l Just gave you more thar
that for engineering this cursed deal
Specializing under a Alias-ushI