New-York tribune., 1906-12-30

Ely he said. briefly.
Mr.. Piper tried to form his white lips into
smile, and his knees trenbled beneath him.
Did you hear what said?" demanded Mr.. Cox
What you waiting for? If you don't fly out of
the window I'll throw you out
Don't touch mel" screamed Mr.. Piper retreatinS
behind table. Its all a mistake all a joke. I'm
not brokers' Hal har'
'Eh?' said the other: mot a brokers man?
What you, then?''
In eager. trembling tones Mr.. Piper told him.
and gathering confidence as he proceeded related
the conversation which had led up to his impos-
ture. Mr.. Cox listened in dazed fashion. and as
he concluded threw himself into a chair. and gave
way to terrible outburst Of grief
THE way I've worked for that woman hs said
brokeny, Ito think it should thisi The
deceit of the thing: the wickedness of It. My heart
| is broken: 1 shall be the same man again
never,'
Mr. Piper made a sympathetic noise.
It's been very unpleasant for me-" he said ''bu.
| my niece is so masterful.'
Il don't blame you." said Mr.. Cox kindly: shake
hands"
| They shook hands solemnly. and Mr.. Piper,
| mutterng something about draft, closed the win
| dow.
You might have been killed In trying to jump out
of that window" said Mr.. Cox: fancy the feelings
| of those two decetful women then"
Fancy my feelngsr said Mr. Piper with a.
shudder Playing with fire, that's what I call il
My niece is coming this afternoon; it would serve
her right If you gave her a fright by telling her
| you had killed me. Perhaps it would be a lesson
| TO her not to be offcious."
1T would 'em both right" agreed Mr.
Cox: "only Mrs. Berry might send for the police"
II never thought of that said Mr.. Piper. fond
ling his chin.
Mr. Cox; at would be lesson to her not to be
deceiful again And, by Jove. I'll get some
money from her to escape with: 1 know she's got
some if she hasn't she will have in a day or two.
There's little pub at Newstead. eight miles from
here. where could be happy fighting cocks
with flyer two. And while We're there enjoy
ing ourselves my wifen be half of her mind
trying TO account for your disappearance to Mrs
Berry
'It sounds all right" said Mr. Piper. cautiously.
but she won't believe you. You don't look wild
enough TO have killed anybody"
'Tll look wild enough when the time comes"
said the other. nodding. you get the White
Horse at Newstead and wait for me. I'll let you
out at the back way. Come along"
but you said It eight miles, said Mr..
Piper.
Eight miles easy walking" rejoined Mr. Cox
"Or there's train at o'clock. There's a sign
post at the corner there. and if you don't hurry
shall be able to catch you up Good by"
He patted the hestating Mr.. Piper the back.
and letting him out through the garden indicated
the road. Then he returned to the drawing room
and carefully rumpling his hair. tore his collar
| from the stud. overturned couple OF chairs and
| a small table. and sat down to wait patiently
as he could for the of his wife.
He waited about twenty minutes. and then he
heard key turn in the door below and his wife's
footsteps slowly mounting the stairs. BY the time
! she reached the drawing room his tableau
complete. and she fell back with faint Shrek at
the frenzied figure which met her eyes.
'Hush!" said the tragedian putting his finger to
his lDs.
Henry what is it?' cried Mrs Cox What is
the matter?'
"The brokers' man." said her husband. in a
thrilling whisper. I'VE had words-he struck me-
In fit of fury I-I-choked him"
'Much2' inquired the bewildered woman.
"Much?" repeated Mr.. Cox, frantcally I've
! killed him and hidden the body. Now 1 must
cape and fly the country
The bewilderment on Mrs. Cox's face increased
she trying TO reconcile her husbands state
ment with vision OF a trim little figure which
she had seen ten minutes before with its head
tilted backward studying the sign post and which
| she was now quite certain Mr.. Piper
Are you sure he's dead7' she inquired
Dead door nall" replied Mr.. Cox, promptly
| I'D no idea he such delicate slittle
! What I to do? Every adds to my
danger. I fly. How much money have YOU
gotY'
THE question explained everything. Mrs. Cox
closed her lips with snap and shook her head
Don't play the fool said her husband wildly;
my necks IN danger"
Il haven't got anything" asseverated Mrs Cox
Its good looking like that. Henry I can't
mako money"
Mr.. Cox's reply was interrupted by loud knock
at the hall door. which he pleased TO associ-
ate with the police. 1t gave him fine opportunity
for melodrama- in the midst OF which his wife
rightly guessing that Mrs Berry had returned &C
cording to agreement. went to the door to admit
her The visitor was only busy two minutes on ths
door mat, but In that time Mrs Cox was able in
low whispers to apprise her of the state of ar-
fairs.
That's my uncle all over" said Mrs Berrv
nercely; that Just the mean trick I should have
expected or him. You leave 'em me- NV dear i"
she followed her friend into the drawing room
and having shaken hands with Mr.. Cox drew her
/ her eyes - ~
she's told me all about it, she said nodding
at Mrs Cox. 'and it's worse than you think much
worse. 1t isn't a brokers' man-its my poor
Your unclel' repeated Mr.. Cox. reeung back;
the brokers' man your uncle?"
Mrs Berry smiled II was a little joke on
Ing her handkerchief 10 her face. Poor Uncle:
but dare say he's happier where he is
Mr.. Cox wiped his brow. and then leaning his
elbow on the mantelpiece stared at her in well
simulated amaZement.
Sec what your joking has led to-" he said at
last. ~ have got to be a wanderer over the feos
of the earth all on account of your iokes."
att was an accident" murmured Mrs berry
land nobody knows he here and I'm sure
poor dear. he hadn't got much 10 live for
Its very kind or you to look at IL in that way.
Susan. I'm sure. said Mrs. Cox.
Berry. Its no good crying split milk. IL
unce's killed he's killed. and there's end OF 1t.
But don't think It's quito safe for Mr.. Cox to
stay hsrs.-