The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-08-15

Anu uOn [ remember you as kOD-
ert Larned, but do remember you as
Frank Elrod. I'm Steve Cummings
Larned turned shade paler. He
took up pencil on his desk, and
tremor In his hand was very notice
able.
well, what can do for you?'
'I'm in great need of funds"
would $50 be of any service to
you"
Fifty thousand would"
Larned sat looking at the man in
quiringly.
Il suppose you remember the miss
ing funds of the Arlington bank said
the visitor.
A panied look passed over Larneds
face, but he had evidently been pre-
pared for the question.
i II do
"And your flight at the same time"
II left Arlington just before the rob-
berry was discovered"
"And didn't see fit to show up when
It was discovered"
"Well, go on!''
"a few years ago you came here
with money and went into business
Dishonesty has paid you better than
honesty has paid me. What do you
say to divide?'
"You mean you must be paid to re-
main silent.
THAT'S about it. [ don't like such a
game, but I'm desperate"
"And you ask $4,000? How long
before you'll want $4,000 more?"
"Give me the money, and I'll put it
out of my power to ask more"
Larned sat thinking for awhile, then
said:
There's another person interested ill
this matter whom must consult
Cummings looked at him anxiously-
'This Is Tuesday" = looking at q
calendar ON the desk before him.
"Come in on Saturday afternoon at 2.
The clerks all leave the Office at noon
on Saturday We'll have a better
chance to talk business"
Cummings assented and withdrew
Larned sat looking gloomily at the desk
before him.
At 2 O'Clock the next Saturday after
noon the door to Larned's private Of
fee opened, and Cummings walked IN
His hand had not left the doorknob
when he noticed that in the room with
Larned was lady. He started. He
knew her we'll.
This lady" said Larned, sis inter
ested with me in the matter we were
discussing the other day"
whats she got to do with it.? asked
Cummings uneasily
''She is my betrothed"
"Mr. Larned.' said the lady, "has
placed these negotiations in my hands
He will do whatever 1 desire him to
do. What is the least sum you will
take to guarantee silenceT'
"I'm not used to dealing with wo-
men"
you'll have to deal with me or no
oue.'
She looked at Larned, who confirmed
her words.
81 said $4,000" said Cummings.
"Tll give you $1,000"
Cummings turned to 60. The lady
stopped him.
Il would advise you to take what
offer you, and will give you five min
utes to decide If you refuse, I'll give
you nothing"
'sYou do as you like I'll put the
bank In way to recover the foss,''
ssThe loss Is recovered for the bank.
One of the persons who stole the mon
ey returned his share Mr.. Larned
has offered me my choice of wedding
present. I have chosen the remainder
due. 1 shall turn 1t in to the bank"
Cummings looked at her with anx-
ious inquiry. 81 don't like your COM
ing into this case" he said Maybe
you know more than think you do.
Maybe you're interested more than as
the betrothed Of Frank Elrod."
II am. 1 am interested as the sister
Of the boy you made your tool when
you robbed the bank
Cummings staggered.
"Its hard for me to enter upon my
own affairs to such as YOU" she con
tinued, "but 1t is necessary. Mr.. Elrod
proposed to me just before your rob
berry. I declined him, and he went
away. Before news Of the robbery
reached him my brother confessed to
me- l wrote Mr.. Elrod asking him to
make no appearance or denial till I
could discover what I might do to
save Ben. Mr.. Elrod has borne the
burden as Mr.. Larned ever since.''
The rest is too pitiful to dwell upon
Cummings, once trusted clerk in the
bank, had ruined not only himself, but
boy Of nineteen. Cummings had
spent his, the lions share of the money
stolen, and had been reduced by pow.
erty and drink to attempt to black.
mail the innocent man who for love
had borne the burden. Cummings lief,
the Office with the promise Of small
stipend 1t was thought better to keer
him from harm lest he betray the
boy he had led into error.
& TURNER 9. HOYLE.