Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-02

in the world. And I'm SO glad that it is
known; 1 feel relief"
well, it is better that the truth has
come out, because everything can be put
right. l was going to make you pay back
the thousand dollars to Mortimer was
going to drive you from the bank-I was
going to let 1t be known that you had
stolen the money, but now / must think
You must have another chance. It's a
dangerous thing to wreck lives. The
money must be paid back to Mortimer"
I'll save and work my fingers of till I
do it."
you can't. Those dependent upon you
would starve. I'll attend to that little mat
ter myself"
And you will let me go without"
mo, you can't CO."
my God! I'm to be prosecuted"
"No. you can stay in the bank. I don't
think you'll ever listen to the voices again;
it's bad business"
Cass sat and stared at the strange man
who said these things, out of silly, ex-
pressionless eyes that were blurred full OF
tears"
Yes, you can go right on, as you have
been. It will be understood that the money
was found, had been mislaid; I'll think
that out. It's nobody's business Just now,
I run the bank and you take orders from
me. Go back to your desk and stay there.
I've got to tell Mortimer and Miss Porter
that you made this mistake, but nobody
else will ever know of it. l was going to
make you sign a confession, but 1t is moi
needed. You might go now; I'm expecting
a visitor soon"
Cass rose, his thin legs seeming hope
lessly inadequate to the task Of carrying
his body. and said. viii you take my
hand, sir?'
"of course, I will. Just do right from
this on and forget-no, better not forget.
remember that there is no crime like weak
ness; all crime comes from weakness. b
strong and listen to no more voices. But
needn't tell you. / know from this out
can trust you further than a man who haI
never been tried. And see here, Mr.. Cass
l think I ought to help you a little to nghi
against these bad voices. When 1 get tim
l will see II your salary is as much as 1
should be-"
Poor, weak devil!" mutered Crane
then he shivered. Had the imbecile's tall
Of voices" got on to his nerves? Flo
an hour he waited, then a step sounded OF
the stairway. Allis was standing Jus
within the hall door.
Good afternoon, Miss Porter" he said
1T was good of you to come in. I've go
something very important to tell you an
It's better that we have quiet-it doesn'
seem quite the usual order OF things here
Would you mind coming upstairs to tn
sitting room. where we can be undis
turbed?"
II don't mind" answered the girl simply
Have a chair" ne said, motioning {
the one Cass had lately sat in.
Crane did not take the other seat, bu
paced restlessly up and down the room;
seemed to cool the fever Of his mind.
II hope It isn't more bad news. MI
Crane" Allis said. for her companio
seemed indisposed to break the silence.
"It is" the girl started-"for me,
Crane added. after a little pause, IAN
yet / am glard."
That sounds strange" Allis commented
wonderingly.
What I am going to say to you mean
the destruction of the dearest hope l hav
in life. but 1t can't be helped. Now
wouldn't have 1t any other way"
Suddenly he stopped in his swift pae'
} faced the girl and asked. You are quit
sure you can't love me?" He was waitin
for an answer.
/ mo, l can't. / hate to cause you miserl
but l must speak the truth. You haV
asked H."
And you've answered IL honestly. ! kno
1t was foolish in me to ask the impossibl
Just one more question. and then l will te