Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11
CHAPTER XIV.

placed them in a cigar box and put the box
away carefully in the bank safe, to remain
there until the 18th of June, when it became
due. incidentally. Mortimer mentioned this
matter TO Alan Porter.
Crane in writing to the cashier about
other affairs of the bank, touched upon the
subject of Porters obligation stating he
had left the money with Mr.. Mortimer to
meet the note when it matured.
The day before the Derby, which was the
18th of the month. Alan asked his days
leave and got it. The cashier more readily
granted Alan's request Crane had init
mated in his letter that it would please him
if the lad were to have holiday.
Alan went up to New York that evening.
Earlier in the day ne somewhat hesitatingly
confided to Mortimer that he had backed
LuCretia when she well, and looked to
have a good chance to win her race; now
she was scratched, and his money was lost.
Bearing in mind what Crane had said about
the Dutchman's chances of winning, even
with Lucretia in the race. he felt now that
1t appeared almost like n certainty for
Cranes horse. If he could have a bet
the Dutchman he would surely recoUp his
losses. Alan explained all these racing mat
tiers very m!nutely and with great earnest
ness to Mortimer, for the latter was quite
unfamiliar with the science of race gam
bling. Having stated his predlcament and
hOped-for relief. as an excuse for so doing.
he wound up by asking his companion for
loan of 500.
Mortimer had little less horrer of betting
and its evil influence than Mrs. Porter; but.
under the circumstances, he would perhaps
have complied with the boys request had
he been provided with sufficient funds. As
1t was he said: Il don't like the idea of
lending you money 10 bet with. Alan; your
mother wouldn't thank me for doing so;
besides if you lost It you'd feel uncomfort-
able owing me the money. At any rate. L
haven't got 1t. l couldn't lend you two
hundred. or half of it. l suppose l haven't
got hundred TO my credit"
"Oh. never mind. then" answered Alan,
angr:ly. stiffenng up. because of MOrtimers
lecture.
III lend you what I've got
81 don't want it. can get it some other
place"
You'd better take
"Take nothing don't want it."
VERY well. I'm sorry can't ob!ige you.
But take my advice and don't bet at all;
It'll only get you into trouble"
Thanks: l don't need your advice. 1 was
a fool to ask for the money"
Il say, Alan began Mortimer, in a COAX
ing tone.
please don't Alan me any more. 1 can
get along without your money and without
your friendship: don't want either"
Mortimer remained silent. What was the
use of angering the boy further? He would
come to that he had meant 1t in good
part. and would be all right in day or two
During the rest of the day Alan preserved
Mortimer only once-a constrained request
for bunch of keys in the latters posses
sion which unlocked some private drawers
ir the vault.
The next morning it suddenly occurred to
Mortimer that Porter's note fell due that
day-either that day or the next he wasn't
sure The easiest way to settle the question
was to look at the date on the note
He stepped into the vault, took out the
little cigar box, opened it, and as he hand
led the crisp paper a sudden shock of hor-
ror ran through his frame. One of the bills
LETT
The discovery paralyzed him for an in
slant. He was responsible; the money had
been left in his charge. Then he looked al
the note; it matured the next day. All the
money had been in the box the morning
before. for he had looked a it On.y the
cashier and Alan Porter knew that it was
in the vault.
The whole dreadful truth came clearly
TO Mortmer's mind with absolute convic-
ton. Alan, infatuated with the prospect of
winning large sum over the DutChman
and falling to borrow from him, had taken
the money.
The gravity of the situation Gained Nor
timer and his mind worked with cool
method that surprised him. Bit by Bit he
pieCed il out. The boy, inconsiStently
enough. had reasoned that the money was
his fathers. and that he was only borrow
ing family property. No doubt he had felt
sure of winning, and would be back in time
TO replace the thousand before it was need
ed. This sophistic3l reasoning had, without
doubt. tempted the lad to commit this-this
-. Mortimer felt reluctance to bestow
the proper name upon Alan's act but I'M
dOubtedly it was stealing.
And If the boy lost the money what
would happen2 He couldn't repay it; the
shortage would be discovered, and AlIis'
brother would be ruined branded as a thief.
Mortimer would willingly put the money
back himself for Allis' sake; but he hadn't
it. What was he TO do? If he could find
Alan and force him to give up the stolen
money, he could yet save the boy. But
Alan had gone to Gravesend.
Like inspiration the thought came to
Mortimer that he must go after him and
get the money before it was lost. He showed
the box back in its place and came out into
the office.
1t was 1920 by the clock. Luckily the
cashier had not come yet Mortimer's mind
worked rapidly. He must make some
cuss and get away; anything; he must even
lie; If he saved the boy ii would be justifia
BILE.
Why did not the cashier come, now that
he was ready for him? Each minute
seemed an age. with the honor of Allis'
brother hanging in the balance. He would
need money. He drew a check for S100 A
hasty inspection showed that ne still had
a trihe more than this amount to his credit.
Why he took hundred he hardly knew;
fate seemed writing the check. He had
barely finished when the cashier appeared.
Al once Mortimer spoke TO him.
II want leave of absence today, sir he
sand. speaking hurriedly.
The cashier frowned in establishment
Impossible! We sbort-handed, with
young Porter away"
IN be back in the morning" pleaded
Mortimer. My mother is very III. I've
opened up. and Mr.. Cass can manage. m
sure, If you'll let me go. | wouldn't ask it,
but II matter of almost life and death"
lie had nearly said of honor.
Cnwlllingly the cashier consented. 1t
probably meant extra work for him: he
would certainly have to take a hand in the
office routine. Theirs not a busy bank
and that day was not likely to be a very
pressing one, but still he would have to
shoulder some of the labor
Full of the terrible situation, Mortimer
cared not who worked. so that he got away
In time to save Allis brother from himself.
AT last he was free. He almost ran to the
station.
Looking from the window of the bank, the
cashier, seeing Mortimer's RAPID pace, NUT
tered: II guess the poor mans mother Is
pretty bad; I'm glad let him go. He's
good son TO that mother of his.
At IL o'clock Mortimer got a train for
New York. During the wait at the station
he had paced up and down the platform
with nervous stride. A dozen times he
looked at his watch. Would he be too late?
o.. He had no idea how long IL would take him