The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-01-18


for you"
Something like gloomy grin passed
over the money lenders face. You
mean promissory note-three
months?"
mean ten minutes. and three
have gone already.
This time he thought she really was
mad, and he jerked his body forward
like an animal in pain.
For a moment Mr. Samuels dull
eyes wandered to the clock on the
mantelpiece.
Il think you'd better just rest,
Madam" he said feebly, eying the door
sideways as he spoke.
There isn't much time for rest"
said the girl
Fear came to him, from the yellow,
heavy eyelids drops Of perspiration
started, almost like tears The fore
head contracted, the usurer looked
years older
THE girl played with the tassel on
her red parasoI. It's like this, Mr.
samuels" she began, kindly DO you
know what time fuse Isl"
I'm. the City"-he began, and then
collapsed.
q don't mean in the city" said the
girl Il mean among the anarchists"
The word shook him. The girl knew
that he would not try to escape. She
held him easily in his chair with her
eyes.
You see, Mr.. Samuels," sac contin-
ued a.rly there's been quite a lot Of
bomb throwing lately, in Paris, in
Vienna-they watch them there. It's
much easier in London, Mr.. Samules.
AS she spoke she rose from her chair
and glanced out of the French window.
IT'S in the garden, Mr. Samuels, and
it's a ten-minute fuse!"
my God" groaned Mr. samules, as
he staggered to his feet
ITS no use calling the police" said
the girl; that won't help you. I'm not
an anarchist, you know; I'm just a girl
who wants hundred pounds and ten
shillings, and do want it very badly,
Mr. samuels.'
DO you mean that there is a bomb
in my garden? Do you mean, while
YOU sit twirling your flimsy fal-lals,
that me and mine may be blown to
eternity? The terrible fear in his yell
low face made him for the moment
something other than comic to his
visitor.
For the instant she relasped into
seriousness.
you see, Mr. Samuels, it's as quiet
as the country here. London's like a
village out of the Season. | was just
walking behind him; he was horrid
and shaggy / think he was a little
mad, Mr.. Samuels He threw the thing
in just like this" she added, waving
her arms, and then he said out loud,
'Usurer, ten minutes for your prayers
| didn't think he was nice man,
Mr. Samuels There was no policeman
about, and so | came in to tell you
myself But | do so want that hum
dred pounds-and ten shillings for the
handsom, No. it's no good making
noise and shouting for the servants
or the police-they can't help you
there's nobody in London who can help
YOU Mr.. Samuels, but /. You see,
while they're arresting me, you will be
blown into heaven"
"Tll do it., said the money lender,
and the girl could not face the animal
terror of his eyes.
Here, take it." In moment he had
thrust ten ten-pound notes into her
hand.
Wait a moment" said the girl;
we have three more minutes.
cant be found with the bomb Mr..
samuels, or they'll arrest me as an
anarchist, Can you catch, Mr.. Sam
uels?"
You don't mean that you are go
ing to throw that accused thing at
me?"
The accursed thing is as harmless
as a chocolate box until the time
limit, said the girl Its like this,
she continued, taking a little parcel
from the pocket of her skirt. you
see this little bonbon box, Mr.. Sam
uels; imagine the fuse, the ten minute
fuse, Mr.. Samules, placed here at the
side For ten minutes that little bomb
is as harmless as an inkstand. Throw
the fuse into water one second before
the time limit, and you are safe.
There's earafe at your elbow; look,
you have just clear minute; put those
notes into this little Easter egg-you
see mean fair play-throw it to me
out the window. and you will receive,
in perfect safety, the most deadly in
vestment Of modern life All I forgot
the half-sovereign, Mr.. Samuels."