Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-06-07
The Plunderers
BY C. j. cUTLIFFE HYNE.

! ture galleries or political clubs. Before
they are bestowed a crown censor sat-
isles himself that ones financial con-
clifton is broad and absolutely sound.
There are reasons connected with those
matters witch block you further and
further flom being 'milady' every day
Mrs. Shelf shrugged her shoulders
in utter unbeiief. Your preaching
tendencies cover you like q second
skin, Theodore. 1t seems as though you
never drop the conventicle n the
pleasure % pointing a moral at one.
Believe me, IL isn't a paying specu-
lation, this cant OF yours. AT the most
they win only give you a trumpery
knighthood for it. But go your own
way and I'll go mine-you shall be
made in spite of yourself"
Mrs. Shelf noticed that at this point
her husbands eyes were beginning to
glow with dull fury. She objected to
scenes, n dropping the subject re-
Verted once more to her present needs.
However, let us drop this wrangle
and come to business. | wish you to
see to that impertinent circular from
the bank. l have several checks out
and unprcsented. l absolutely must
draw others today for trifies which will
add up TO about a thousand. You must
see that they are honored. 1t is all
your own fault, his trumpery worry
about nothings. You should not try
to screw me down to such a niggardly
allowance"
Shelf stood up, and the dog on his
lap leapcd hurriedly to the ground,
growing. Woman he said passion
ately, IF you Won't believe me, if you
will go on in this extravaganza, you
win soon learn for yourself that | am
not lying, perhaps very soon-perhaps
tomorrow. When a shameful bank
ruptcy does come, then you can play
your hand as you please. | shall not
be here TO hinder you any longer.
Where / shall go to, how l shall lead
my new life, who will be my partner,
are matters which you win be
allowed no fingers in. SO long as
things last here l shall observe all the
conventionalities, and if o appreciate
those o will find it wise to recon
slider your present ways. l tell you can
didly that if the firm dOeS go down
not only England, but half the world
Will ring with its transactions. Marina
duke, Rivers q Shelf" he went on with
scowling fury, were honest, prosperous
trademen once, before their ways were
fouled to find money for your cursed
ambition
There was a new look on the clean
shaven face which she had never seen
before and an evil CLINT in the eyes
which scared her. I~rresolutely she
moved toward the door and put her
fingers upon the handle. Then she
drew herself up n stared him up and
down with a look of forced contempt.
You VIII be good enough" she said
cOldly, ito attend to the business which
brought me here. l am going now to
draw the checks l spoke about"
Shelf looked at her very curiously.
Co he said, land do as you please.
You are a determined woman, and be-
u ! am determined myself adj
mire your strength Of will; but, for all
that, | think | shall murder you before
l leave England"
Mrs. Shelf laughed derisively. but
with pale lips, and then she opened Tax
door. The dog advanced toward her
slowly, stiff legged, muttering.
What fire heroics!" she said. But
thanks for seeing after my balance. 1t
is a written thing that l must have that
money"
She passed through the door. closing
it gently behind her, and Shelf returned
to his armchair. George" he said as
the fox terrier stood up against his
knee, If that woman were only struck
dead today, there are 1000 families in
England who YOU rejoice madly if
they only knew one-tenth part of what
| know. Poor beggars, they have
trusted me to the hilt, and she makes
me behave to them like a devil. Yes,
little dog, she makes me, whether |
wish it or not. For his at times |
more h a hate her.
times when | clog his ferOcious
ambition Of hers she must almost hate
me. Yet ! know something about WON
en-, and | believe that nearly always she
loves me. It's a curious mixture, isn't
ii, George? But it isn't a comfortable
one. D'you know, my small animal,
| wish very much just now an earth
quake or a revolution or something
like that would occur to .huffle mat
ters up. Then If / got killed I should
be spared a great deal of worry, and if
| didn't, why, I've got large hands, and
| believe / could grab enough in the
general scramble to suit even her.
A il is, however, with neither
earthquake nor revolution probable, Tn
q desperate man, ready to take any des-
perate chance of commercial saliva
ton"