The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-07-05
ADesperate Attempt


knew you when you lived in Avon
dale"
Larned paled and directed the clerk
to show the man in. The person had
about him marks Of past refinement,
though scarcely recognizable In his
threadbare garb and that complexion
which indicates immoderate use Of
liquor.
you don't remember me, do your
"No; 1 don't"
"And 1 don't remember you as Rob-
ert Larned, but do remember you as
Frank Elrod. I'm Steve Cummings"
Larned turned a shade paler. He
took up a 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
your
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 Larned's
face, but he had evidently been pre-
pared for the question.
81 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"
with money and went into business.
Dishonesty has paid you better than
honesty has paid me. What do you
say to a divideF'
"You mean you must be paid to re-
main sllent.T'
That's about it. l don't like such
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 III
this matter whom 1 must consult"
Cummings looked at him anxlously.
"This is Tuesday" - looking at
calendar on the desk before him.
Come in on Saturday afternoon at 2.
The clerks all leave the office at noon
on Saturday. Well have a better
chance to talk business"
Cummings assented and withdrew.
Larned sat looking gloomily at the desk
before him.
At O'Clock the next Saturday after
noon the door to Larned's private Of
flee opened, and Cummings walked in.
His hand had not left the doorknob
when be noticed that in the room with
Larned was 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 it," asked
Cummings uneasily.
"She is my betrothed"
"Mr. Larned," said the lady, "has
placed these negotiations in my hands.
He will do whatever l 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
one"
She looked at Larned, who confirmed
her words.
81 said $4,000" said Cummings.
I'll give you $1,000"
Cummings turned to go. The lady
stopped him.
81 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"
"You do as you like. I'll put the
bank in way to recover the loss"
1.-THE 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. l have chosen the remainder |
due. shall turn it in to the bank"
Cummings looked at her with anx-
ious inquiry. II don't like your COM
ing into this case" he said Maybe |
you know more than l 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 qtapoarnd
"It's hard for me to enter upon my |
own affairs to such as you" she con-
tinued, "but it is necessary. Mr.. Elrod
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. / wrote Mr.. Elrod asking him to
make no appearance or denial till
could discover what l might do to
save Ben. Mr.. Elrod has borne the
burden as Mr.. Larned ever since"
The rest is too pitiful to dwell upon.
once a trusted clerk in the
bank, had ruined not only himself, but
4 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
nail the innocent man who for love
had borne the burden. Cummings left
he Office with the promise of small
II. - l. a.