The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-07-29


very long, you must be quite rich. But
to resume my story. | watched my
chances, during the weeks that followed,
to get an occasional silver dollar in change
from this store. 1t was always good,
clean money, and sometimes got coin
of 1885, but none with my mark until
recently. Finally cot one of my marked
coins. Then came to you at night asked
for change of ten dollar banknote, saw
you open your safe, and take out with
your own hand these ten coins They
bear my mark. Would you care to look?'
"No.
END of round five. Another round
for the sport 1t looks very bad for the
jeweler.
Ben placed his ten silver coins in his
pocket, and continued
Round six. OF course, Mr. Blake
was pretty sure that possessed the secret
Of your income, and the pretty device of
the Little Shop Of the Clean Money was
clear to me. But | wanted to be sure
So cut a wire of your burglar alarm while
YOU closed your safe, and again that night
| broke into your store. pulled up the
box, and found that my marked coins were
there, but in an incomplete state Here
Is one; and Ben laid piece of silver
resembling a medal on his desk
End OF round six. said Ben
Mr. Blake looked up at Ben Budd, aud,
with a coolness that opened the sports
man eyes, he said.
Round seven p
THE jeweler rallies wonderfully, said
Ben, and smiled As he replaced the IN
completed coin IN his pocket
Round seven opens with lead for the
Jaw You see that possess your secret.
y sportsman, | admire your plan, and
hold nothing against you. Blu; this is a
game for a stake. have searched for
and found this information because YOU
declared my mode of life to be dishonor-
able ask YOU now to compare it with
yours, and tell me if YOU are not mis-
taken.
Mr. Blake sprang to his feet, and in his
hand there cleaned a revolver
No A hundred times, no | am
4 eouuterieter, if you like; but you cannot
furce me in this way. Go Put the Coy
ernment' spies on my track, and there will
be one bullet for You and then one for
nae
Ben garel into the blazing eyes burning
down on his own. and he knew that the
gray haired couuterfeiter spoke from the
heart
The fsht ended with clean knock
on, by the jeweler who rallied unexpected
~ and dropped the sport with hook under
the EAR
Ben voice was calm, and his words
werc mouo,onous Then be rose to his feet.
Mr. Blake said he, YOU are a true
sport. You win And don worry about
Madeline. viii not disturb her, nor YOU,
nor your secret I've been beaten fairly.
Only. take warning If have found you
out, some one else may do SO, Quit it.
Destroy those things down there, and he
pointed To the floor
Blake was now more surprised than at any
time during the conversation. He lowered
his revolver. and passed his free hand be-
fore his eyes, as if to see whether or not
be vas awake Ben last words had been
kindly spoken There was a note of sym
pathy in them that struck the counterteiter
a. no threat or opposition could have done,
Ben, he said, wait minute. want
TO talk To you.
Ben turned in surprise and saw Mr..
Blake drop into a chair in utter collapse.
lie started toward the old man, but Blake
motioned him away.
IN all right, Ben You took the
starch out Of me and I'm 4 little shaky,
that all. You said-Ben, you said that
you held nothing against me That my
my coins had injured no one, That ;
true, isn't it, Ben ?
The words were entreatiug, almost pa
thetic,
YES, said Ben Your coins cannot
De detected, except the ten | have marked.
No harm has been done Only, stop now,
before anything is known.
Ben. wish had never thought of
this clean money scheme | began 1t in a
spirit Of adventure. aud tried my first coin
on a friend. He pronounced it genuine.
Then | made a few, and-an-w well, one
thing led to another | found myself in
possession Of a plan which gave me an easy
income. and hayn't overdoue it, Ben.
Really, havnt | have lived quietly
have done well by Madeline, and have laid
up snug fortune for her benefit when
Tm gone. Eve harmed no one. But,
Ben. it, been worry always. I've feared
detection, aud / m glad that you We found
me out, and not some one who would harry
nae. viii stop it, Ben. And, tor
Madeline sake, know YOU will keep my
secret You will, won you !?
Again the tones became plantive Ben
held out his hand. Mr. Blake wrung it
heartily. Ben wanted 10 speak, but he
was suddenly realizing that he had lost
Madeline, and the tragedy Of the Blake
secret was weighing upon him. He walk
ed to the door, unlocked it, stepped out
into the night and closed the door behind
him He heard Mr.. Blake turn the key
in the lock
Ben stood in the dark doorway and stared
vacantlv at the nearby deserted street.
He was beaten, disappointed, and lonely.
| \ spirit of rebellion rushed over him. lie
could force Blake to give his consent. He
had him in his power He would marry
Madeline. Marry her-live with her
and Blake? Ben's mind went over the
picture of the future. He saw the strained
relations that would exist between himsel
and Mr.. Blake, and poor Madeline woulC
| live on. between the two beings whom she
loved best, wearing out her heart in un
happiness over it; and he knew that it woulC
not do. No, it was Madeline who woull
suffer, not her father For Madeline
sake he must give her up--give up his vic
tory 50 cleverly won, and wait-wait. Ht
thrust his hands deep in his pockets, anC
started for his rooms, grief,stricken to hi
,.or,. baart', nnra nva had ronnuarad