Evening journal., 1907-07-24

JOht
FIFTY thousand would"
Larned sat looking at the man In
quiringiy.
Il suppose you remember the miss
ing funds Of the Arlington bank" said
the visitor.
A pained look passed over Larned's
face, but he had evidently been pre-
pared for the question.
II do"
"And your flight at the same time"
II left Arlington just before the rob
berry was discovered"
"And didn't see ft to show up when
It was discovered"
''Well, go onw
"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 a dlvide7v
''You mean you must be paid to re-
main silentY
That's about It. ] don't like such
game, but I'm desperate"
"And you ask $4,000? How long
before you'll want $4,000 moreT
"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 In
this matter whom 1 must consult"
Cummings looked at him anxiously.
"This is Tuesday" - looking at a
calendar on the desk before him.
"Come in on Saturday afternoon at .
The clerks all leave the Office at noon
on Saturday. Wen have a better
chance to talk business"
Cummings assented aud withdrew.
Larned sat looking gloomily at the desk
before him.
Atese' p eJthe next Saturday after
noon the s0Or 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 a lady. He started. He
knew her well.
This lady" said Larned, 'is inter
ested with me In the matter we were
discussing the other day"
whats she got to do with it7" asked
Cummings uneasily.
"She is my betrothed"
"Mr. Larned." said the lady, "has
placed these negotiations in my hands,
He win do whatever 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 nc
one"
She looked at Larned, who confirmed
her words
'1 said s5O0OO," said Cummings.
'I'll give you $1,000"
Cummings turned to go. The lady
stopped him.
Il would advise you TO take what
offer you, and I will give you five min
utes to decide. If you refuse, I'll give
you nothing"
''You do as you like. I'll put the
bank in a way to recover the loss"
"The loss is recovered for the bank
One Of the persons who stole the mon
ey returned his share. Mr.. Larnet
has offered me my choice Of a wedding
present / have chosen the remainde
due. I shall turn II In to the bank"
Cummings looked at her with anx
ious inquiry. Il don't like your com
ing into this case" he said "Mayb'
you know more than think you do
Maybe you're interested more than a
the betrothed Of Frank Elrod."
Il am. l am interested as the siste
of the boy you made your tool whei
you robbed the bank"
Cummings staggered.
"Its hard for me to enter upon m.
own affairs to such as you," she con
tinued. "but II is necessary. Mr.. Elrol
proposed TO me Just before your rob
berry. / declined him, and he wen
away. Before news Of the robber.
reached him my brother confessed I
me. 1 wrote Mr.. Elrod asking him I
make no appearance or denial till
could discover what might do {
save Ben. Mr.. Elrod has borne III
burden as Mr.. Larned ever since"
The rest Is too pitlful to dwell upoT
Cummings, once a trusted clerk in th
bank. had ruined not only himself. bu
a boy Of nineteen. Cummings ha
spent his, the lions share Of the none
stolen. and had been reduced by poN
erty and drink to attempt to blacl
mail the innocent man who for Low
had borne the burden. Cummings LEI
the Office with the promise Of a sma
stipend. 1t was thought better to kee
him from harm lest he betray tn
boy he had led into error.
TURNER G. HOYLE.