Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-27

it on the horse that will surely win, and you will get many thousands; then you can replace it, and for once in your life you will know what 1t is to have something of your own
 T tried to put it back. I couldn't. The voices called me a fool, coward. I thought of my mother, my sister, what I could do if had the courage. tried to take it in to MT. Lane and say that I had found it. I couldn't. Oh. my God! you don't know what 1t Is to be tempted! You have been suc- cessful, and don't know how miserably weak ill-fortune makes man. yielded-I took it; then when it's loss cused. I tried to confess-I couldn't; ! was coward, traitor, Judas. Oh, God!"
 The overwrought man threw himself face down on the table and wept with great sobs that shook his frame.
 An exultation of righteous victory swept through Cranes soul. He might have been like that; he had been saved from it by his love for a good woman.
 Crane waited until Casss misery had exhausted itself little, and when he spoke his voice was soft in pity.
 ''I understand. Sit in your chair there and be man. Half an hour ago I thought you a thief don't now. You had your time of weakness, per- haps all men have that; you fell by the wayside. don't think you'll do it again."
 No, no, no! I wouldn't go through the hell I've lived in again for all the money in the world.'
 Well, it is better that the truth has come out, because everything can be put right. was going to drive you from the bank-I was going to let it be known that you had stolen the money, but now, I must think. You must have another chance. It's dan gerous thing to wreck lives"
 My God! it is; that's what haunted me night and day I, felt as though I had murdered a man who had been my friend" Hi .% ga
 Cass had interrupted Crane. When he ceased again out of exhaustion, Crane proceeded, Mortimer must be paid back the money" .4
 "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 myself" #5tatT
 And you will let me go without"
 tstNo, you can't go."
 My God! I'm to be prosecrlted?"
 "No. you can stay in the bank. 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, expressionless eyes. @
 "Yes, you can go right on as you have been. It will be understood that the money was found, had been mis- laid; I'll think that out. Go back to your desk and stay there. I've got to tell Mortimer and Miss Porter that you made this mistake, and Lane, too. suppose. but nobody else will ever know of 1t. You may go now"
 Cass rose, his thin legs seeming hopelessly inadequate to the task of carrying his body, and said, will you take my hand, sir?"
 "Of course will. Just do right from this on, and forget-no, better not for get; remember that there is no crime like weakness; all crime comes from weakness. But needn't tell you. know from this out can trust you further than man who has never been tried"
 At the door Cass turned and looked back at the man who had reached 0own Tn the abyss, and pulled him up. The man was sitting quite still, his back to the light, his head dropped, and Cass could not see his face.
 For an hour Crane waited; then AL lis arrived.
 Crane had gone down stairs to meet her.
 Good afternoon, Miss Porter" he said. 'It was good of you to come. i've got something very important to tell you, and it's better that we have quiet-it doesn't seem quite the usual order of things here. Should you mind coming upstairs to the sittng-room, where we shall be undisturbed?"
 II don't mind," answered the girl. simply. SILK
 Crane paced restlessly up and down the room; it cooled the fever of his mind. .-.".
 '.'I hope it isn't more bad news. MT. Crane" Allis said; for her companion seemed indisposed to break the>si1ence.
 Tt is-" the girl started-"for me-" Crane added, after little pause; "and yet I am glad"
 That sounds strange" Allis com- mented, wonderingly.
 What I am going to say to you means the destruction of the dearest hope I have in life, but it can't bs helped. Now I wouldn't have it any other way"
 Suddenly he stopped in his swift pace, faced the girl, and asked, You are quite sure you can't love me?"
 No, I can't-I hate to cause you misery, but must speak the truth; you have asked for it-'' -.
 And you've answered honestly. I know 1t was foolish in me to ask the impossible. Do you still believe in Mortimer's innocence-do you love