Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-12
BY VI. A. FRASER

downright, 1902, by Mcclure, Phillips 4 Col
CHAPTER XIV.
After Crane left the money for Porter's
note with Mortimer. the latter took the
three 81 900 bills. pinned them to the note,
placed them in a cigar box and put the box
away carefully In the bank safe to remain
there until the 14th Of June. when 1t be-
came 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 Porter's obligation, stating that
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 1t. He wound up by asking
his companion for a loan Of 5000.
Mortimer had little less horror OF betting
and its evil influences 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: 'T don't like the idea Of
lending you money to bet with, Alan; your
mother wouldn't thank me for doing so; be-
sides. II you lost 1t, you'd feel uncom-
Portable, owing me money. At any rate, |
haven't got IL. l couldn't lend you two
hundred, or half Of II. | suppose I haven't
got a hundred TO my credit"
"Oh. never mind, then" answered Alan,
sngrily, stiffening up, because OF Mortimer's
lecture.
"IIl lend you what I've got"
IL don't want 1t. | can get 1t some other
place"
The next morning II 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 han
died the crisp paper a sudden shock Of hor-
ror ran through his frame. One of the bills
was gone; there we're only two 81 200 notes
left.
The discovery paralyzed him for an in
slant. He was responsible; the money had
been left in. his charge. Then he looked at
the note: It matured the next day. All the
money had been in the box the morning be-
fore, for he had looked at 1t. Only the
cashier and Alan Porter knew that it was in
the vault.
The whole dreadful truth came clearly to
Mortimer's mind with absolute conviction.
Alan, infatuated with the prospect Of win
ming a large sum over the Dutchman. and
failing to borrow from him, had taken the
money.
Mortimer would willingly put the money
back himself for Allis' sake. but he hadn't
Il. what was he to do? II he could And
Alan and force him to give up the stolen
money. he could yet save the boy. But Alan
had gone to GrAvesend.
Like an inspiration the thought came to
Mortimer that he must go after him and get
the money before II was lost. He showed
the box back in its place and came out into
the once.
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 500. A hasty
inspection showed that he still had a trile
more than this amount to his credit. Why
he took a hundred he hardly knew; fate
seemed writing the check. He had barely
finished when the cashier appeared. At once
Mortimer spoke to him.
IL want leave of absence today, sir" he
said. speaking hurriedly.
The cashier frowned in establishment.
Impossible! We are shorthanded, with
young Porter away"
I'm be back in the morning." pleaded
Mortimer. MY mother is very i'll. I've
opened up. and Mr.. Cass can manage, I'm
sure, II you'll let me go, l wouldn't ask
II, but It's a matter Of almost life and
death" He had nearly said OF honor.
Unwillingly the cashier consented. 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 nerv-
Gus stride. A dozen times he looked at
his watch. Would he be too late? He
had no idea how long It would take him
TO reach Gravesend. He knew little Of the
race tracks location.
In his ignorance OF a race meet, Morti-
mer had felt sure he would be able to find
Alan Porter without trouble. The true
d~ifieulty Of his quest soon dawned upon
him. Wedged into the pushing, showing,
hurrying crowd. in three minutes he COM
pletely lost himself. A dozen times he re-
arranged his bearings. taking a certain
flight OF steps leading up to the grandstand
ss the base of his perIgrinatlons; a dozen
times he returned to this point, having &C
eomplished nothing but complete bewilder-
ment. One young man he spoke to de-
clared that he knew Alan Porter quite we'll
he was a great friend OF his; he'd find him
In "A minute. Mortimer's new friend sug-
gested that they indulge In beer while
waiting for the sought-one's appearance,
and, waxing confidential. he assured his
quarry that he had a lead-pipe cineh for the
next race-it couldn't lose. His insistence
matured into insolence as Mortimer spoke
somewhat sharply to him. Ignorant OF rae
ing AS he was, he was hardly a man to take
liberties with. once he recognized the In
fringement. The enormity OF his mission
and the possibility that Il might be frus-
trated by his undesirable tormentor made
him savage. Raised to quick fury by 4
vicious remark Of the tout who held him II
leash. he suddenly stretched out a strong
hand. and. selIing his insulter by the col
lar, gave him a quick twist that laid hin
on bis back, Mortimer held him Their