Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-08-22

to his temple. L-e bewildering multi
tude of figures which were simmering
IN his bra melted away, for he was
looking down the barrel of a revolver,
then along the hand which held it, and
the arm, until his gray eyes rested on
the face of a man. The first glance
had been to the revolver, and ne in
stantly recognized it as his own. In
the face of the man who held the re-
volver he recognized the features of
George Darlington, lately one of his
own clerks. He leaned back in his
chair and sighed heavily, but said
nothing
You look surprised, Mr. Butler"
said the burglar, as he stealithly crept
round the table. But don't be afraid;
/ am not going to shoot you unless you
make row."
You have come to rob the Officer"
Yes, sir; that is my intention. You
have saved me a great deal of trouble.
The safe is open, there are securities,
there is money there. am going to
have them, and l am going to secure
yoIi so that you cannot disturb me-"
Indeed" said the banker, in a chill
y tone. This is a desperate enter
prise of yours, Mr.. Darlington"
Mr.. Darlington grinned.
Desperate ills require desperate
remedies" he replied You sacked
me, Mr.. Butler"
The banker pursed his lips. quite
true" he said, Il sacked you"
For no fault of my own" said the
burglar.
Exactly, Mr.. Darlington. for no
fault of your own. Matter of reduc-
ton of staff, that's all. Somebody had
to go, and it fell to your fate"
THAT was two months ago, Mr. But
Ter. Since then you haven't cared how
I've lived, eh?"
The other shrugged his shoulders
somewhat impatiently.
1T is not my business" he said.
Then, after a pause: so you are go
ing to rob the bank, eh?"
Pm going to ask you to hand out all
the money you've got in the safe.
I'm going to gag you and bind you so
that you won't create a disturbance.
l shan't hurt you, Mr.. Butler; don't
fear that"
"Oh. no." said the banker quickly
- don't fear that you will hurt me;
that is, | don't think l shall sustain
much physical damage at your hands
1t is the other thing l am thinking
auout-the mental hurt"
They can't blame YOU" said the
burglar.
I'm afraid they will" said the
banker, obviously. Banks are robbed
time and again. 1t is nobody's fault;
but the manager doesn't get praised"
Il suppose not" SAID the burglar re
fectively.
The banker hooked up suddenly, and
his clear, gray eyes rested upon the
young mans face.
NOW, then. George Darlington.
what's your trouble? out with it"
The other mumbled
II was hardly DONE" he said in a
gullen tone. Il ought not to have been
sacked. l was in debt My house
was cleared of its furniture and nv
wife, myself and my child were left
20 starve had been sacked from q
bank. and when I want another posi-
ton nobody would give it to me. l
never robbed a man of a farthing in
my life. was driven TO desperation. "
That's hard" said the banker. But
realize, George Darlington, what you
are going to do. You are going to rob
this bank. AT present the matter rests
lightly upon your mind. You viii
probably get away safely. You will
flee to America or somewhere. You
may set up in business and become a
sueces sful man. But have you ever
thought of what viii come after, when
you get, say, my age? Then will be
the time for you to repent and to