New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-22

What pray?'
Said as he done it himself. cause the Boss
had cleaned him out last night. Case OF sue
eide, they said"'-and Claude snorted with
scOrn.
was silent. not knowing what TO say.
Had the cheek to say the Boss had roped in
his little all, said he tempted him 10 Play when
the corpse had swore of to please his wife.
Said the Boss meant mischief last night-that
the corpse didn't want to play Tornted him
into it-askin for his revenge: and so on. an So
FORTH
How dreadful I exclaimed horriaed by
CIaude's story
Yes, Stree! But they had 70 take il al
back. Had to eat humble pie chunks ~ it,
and Claude giggled nervOusly-"and it's the pie
as gives me dispepsy worst of ALL Then. Sc
verey and mOurnfully. Il should think they'd
be ashamed; but Lord, them feIIers don't know
the first meaning OF the word Wen to perceed
when that corpse's pockets come 70 be inves-
tigated, over FIVE hundred was found in them
Five hundred-dollars. Claude" was
aghast.
Yes. ma'am. ve-hundred-doIars, And
some change; but that amt worth mentioning
of course So you see he wasn't 10 saw busted
clean through. And them men sung small Lean
tell you! thought you'd be interested 20 hear.
Miss Dean. for you do love fair uIav : babv
a
l. O. Us he had from the dead and behaved
! honorable all round. He's kind man, Mr.. En-
ranti-a very kind man. Has his faults. like
! the rest of us-I know got plenty but amt
seen yours yet. Miss Dean Yes. he's a kind
man Good to his aged mother. and generous
| to all There's nothin' mean about him.
| guess
| Claude"
Yes Miss Dean"
| rs Mrs. Sturgis poor. do you know"
Lord, no. Miss Dean, An only child they
| say. and her parents just roIlin' In their
| wealth.
| I'm very glad I said. thoughtfuHy
| Som l." said Claude; "and I'm mighty glad.
/ too. that he had a pocketfuI Of rnoney-hirn
| the corpse, mean. If he hadn't-weII. things
would have maybe looked ugly for the Boss
/ He is fond Of playing for money, and he does
, most generally win. But that amt his fault
he's smarter than most. that's all But it's time
I gonged for dinner" and Claude ran lightly
/ downstairs
| Mr. Erranti had somethins, taken to the Ii
brary for him, and sent polite messages begging
me to excuse his absence. He was very busy.
| Claude said. But when I left Madams room
| that night I found him waiting for me in the
| nall And was not glad to see him
| Dear child" he said. very gently. taking my
hand as he spoke, do you think YOU can sleep
| after the sad adventure OF this morning. or shall
L mix you sleeping draught?'
| tried to draw my hand away. but pretending
not to notice my effort he only held it the closer
Not choosing to have scene az the foot OF the
great staircase let him have his way but de-
| clined the sleeping draught
Strong little hand" he said. looking deep into
my eyes. strong little hand, Swift 20 succor
| those in peril. swift to avsnge an insuItr'-and
lifting it to his lips. kissed it before releasing
me. Are you sorry now. that you struck him.
Athena?"
NO"
Philip laughed And I did not like his laugh
1t was fatuous with proprietary pride
Good night" I said coIdIy and bowling
slightly. turned to the staircase
zone moment. Athena, Let me tell you that
our plan worked smoothly. Thanks TO your
sweet helpfulness. Mrs. sturgis will never know
the truth
II am glad she is not poor Mr. Erranti Good
night"
mo. not poor. Athena Don't go Just Yet
How did you discover that?"
| Claude told me-"
| 'Indeed"' Mr.. Erranti frowned slightly. Did
he tell you of the money stupidity overlooked7'
Yes. did not know people ever carried 50
much about with them"
They do when they want to play the sly''
he smiled grimIy. Cheques and T. o. Us are
/ telltales-not so. dollar bills
| stood still thinking. then said. slowly:
| Weak people who do what he did usually leavs
letters saying why they did it. don't they?"
| Usually"
1T is fortunate he did not"
| Very fortunate
| I looked earnestly at Philip. His eyes wers
bent upon the rug at our feet. his face express
sionless. vet knew as certainly If he had
| told me that there had been letters-and that
| these letters had been destroyed.
| 1 turned and assembled the staircase. forcing
myself TO walk slowly. I wished to run.
forced myself to bow an acknowledgement to his
| Sleep we'll. sweet chiIdP' but drew a long sigh
| Of relief when reached my room. and shot thu
| many bolts OF its door into place
II had been a trying day. and this interview
with Philip was the last straw. Ny mind was
| tired out. I sat down by my open window IN
rest. hoping the cool night air might enable ma
to regain my accustomed serenity before tried
to sleep. I wished to forget. for the time. the
] events OF the day. to cease thinking OF it's hor-
! rors-and Of Mr.. Errantt. But this last seemed
impossible In spite of reminding myself that
not for the purpose OF enjoying the society Of its
owners: in spite Of telling myself that because
! Mr. Erranti's manners offended me. there was
( no need for me TO go over and over what he had
| said. how he had looked and acted. still sat BY
/ my window and thought Of him. I wondered
| about his father-an Italian Adventures. prob
| ably Madam was gentlewoman. but her son
| was not quite gentleman. He had odd ways
! Italian ways?-loved to bask in the sun. bare
/ headed Would his complexion be white. or
| e..