Evening journal., 1907-08-12
ADesperate Attempt
[orlgInaLl

]
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; don't"
"And I don't remember you as Rob
ert Larned, but do remember you as
Frank Erod I'm Steve Cummings I"
Larned turned a shade paler. He
took up a pencil on his desk, and a
tremor in his hand was very notice
able.
''Weli. what can / do for youT'
I'm In great need OF funds"
would 500 be OF any service to
your
Fifty thousand would"
Larned sat looking at the man in.
quiringly.
II 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.
Il do"
'And your flight at the same time"
Il left Arlington Just before the rob
berry was discovered"
"And didn't see ct to show up when
It was discovered" aA 7mi sras H
''Well, go on" l9 sat'f 17i
IA 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 diyideg ,ra raid -di Z, o...
''You mean you must be paid to re.
main silentT' % sme1 "a7a1ct ns
"That's about Il. don't ike such
game, but I'm desperatep
"And you ask $4,000? How long
before you'li want $4,000 mcre5''
Give me the money, and III put II
out Of my power to ask more"
I.arned sat thinking for awhile, then
said:
There's another person interested in
this matter whom l m consult"
Cummings looked at him nnxiously.
''This is Tuesday" = looking at a
calendar on the desk before him.
Come in on Saturday afternoon at 2.
The clerks all leave the office at noon
on Saturday. Wen have 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
flee opened. and Cummings walked in.
His hnnd had not left tho doorknob
when be noticed that in the room with
Larned was a lady He started. He
knew her well
"rhis lady" said Larned, lis inter
ested with me in the matter we were
discussing the other day"
Whats she got to do with II ?" asked
Cummings uneasily.
"she is my betrothed"
'Afr. Larned." said the lady has
placed these negotiations in my bands.
He will do whatever ] desire him TO
do. What Is the least sum you will
take 70 guarantee silence?"
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.
81 said $4,000" said Cummings.
'I'll give you $1,000"
Cummings turned to so. The lady
stopped him.
Il would advise you to take what 1
offer you. and I will give you five min
utes to decide. II you refuse, I'll give
you nothing"
''You do as you like. I'll put the
bank in a way to recover the loss"
''Thc loss is recovered for the bank
One OF the persons who stole the mon
ey returned his shaTe. Mr. Larned
has offered me my choice OF a wedding
present. have chosen the remainder
due. ! shall turn Il In to the bank"
Cummings looked at her with anx.
ious inquiry. Il 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"
Il am. am interested as the sister
OF the boy YOU made your tool when
you robbed tho bank"
Cummings staggered.
''It's hard for me 90 enter upon my
own affairs TO such as you" she con
tinued, "but It is necessary. Mr.. Elrod
proposed TO me just before your rob
berry. / declined him, and he went
away. Before news Of the robbery
reached him. my brother confessed to
me. I wrote Mr. Elrod asking him to
make no appearance or denial till l
could discover what might do 20
save Ben. Mr.. Elrod has borne the
burden as Mr. Lniped ever since"
The rest Is too pitlfnl TO dwell upon
Cummings, once q Trusted clerk IN the
bank, had ruined not only himself, but
a boy Of nineteen. Cummings had
spent bis, the lions share OF the money
stolen. and had been reduced by poy.
erty and drink 70 attempt 10 black
mail the innocent man who for love
had borne the burden. Cummings left
the ofllce with tho promise OF a small
stipend. II was thought better 10 keep
him from harm lest he betFay the
boy be had led into error.
TURNER O. HOYLH.
Horse Seriously Hurt.