The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-08-22

A wild look came into Marsden's
face. He was young. He had had no
warning of the arrival of this man he
suspected of having stolen his auto
graph book. a fad of college days. 1t
was almost enough to condemn him
to be seen with Weston. He drew
vivid pictures of his uncle's suspicion
And he knew that what Weston said
was true. He did have $1,000 of Syl-
via Ford's money In the safe. He had
intended to invest 1t safely for her the
next day. He loved her. The thought
of having her suspect him OF using
Whittaker's name maddened him.
She was so pure, so lofty In sentiment,
that be feared, even though the guilt
could not legally be fastened on him.
the doubt would turn her from him.
And there was the cool master OF the
situation, with his cold. pitlless eyes
bent on the young trustee, weakening
his power of resistance every moment
You know 1t Is safe" said Weston
In his soothing voice. You have the
power You are merely borrowing the
money. You Will earn enough to pay
interest on 1t, and 1t will be easy
to avoid showing any securities. They
are elsewhere If your uncle wants
them-till you make enough to pay the
money back. You see. would not rob
an orphan. Marsden. Oh, no. am
only asking the money of you for old
times sake. and you can pay 1t back
to Sylvia. You will be happy, Mars
den, with Sylvia's love, and I shall al
ways be shut out of the sunlight of
congenial companionship. Think OF
the difference, Marsden, between hap
piness with Sylvia and-tbe cold un.
feeling bars Of a cell In Sing Sing
prison"
Man! Devil"
Hush They may come any minute,
and l must leave New York tonight.
Quick! No one will ever know! Do
1t noww
Marsden suddenly awoke to the fact
that he was looking into the barrel
of revolver leveled at his head.
take your choice" said Weston
coolly.
Thoughts that burned like molten
lava rushed through Marsden's brain.
He was no longer master Of himself.
Like a man In a dream be rose from
his chair, moved by the powerful will
OF the other, and crossed to the safe.
Instinctlvely Weston turned the lights
low. Marsden moved like a man
walking In his sleep. Dimly he was
conscious of his lifelong innocence.
but the words OF Weston were ring
ing In his ears And he loved Sylvia
as few men ever love.
He opened the safe. There lay n
pile of bank notes. notes he had drawn
from the bank that afternoon. He
vaguely wondered how Weston knew
There was a dim recollection of see
ing man like Weston In the bank
when he drew the money.
He reached out his hand to take the
money. He started as be saw beside
1t a small revolver. He picked 1t up
with the money.
That's right" said Weston, with a
cold laugh. Use that after | am
gone. You can't use 1t before. Raise
1t and | will blow your brains out"
With his right hand still holding the
revolver close to Marsden's head. he
reached with his left and took the
package of bills.
This will get me west nicely. and
you will never hear from me again, "
he said. shut the safe"
With a groan Marsden did so.
"Sit down In that chair with your
back to the door"
Mechanically Marsden obeyed.
Don't move till | am out of the
house. If you do, I'll shoot I'm too
rich now to give up, even If kill
you"
With another groan Marsden sank
into the chair. Weston started toward
the door-then stopped. He had heard
a noise that Marsden In his agony had
not heard. The outer door had opened.
People were coming In.
There's a light" said a slvery voice.
Erred must be waiting for u.s."
Weston was perplexed. He glanced
around. In the library was a large
screen. Noselessly he slid behind that.
Marsden did not know. The realiza-
ton of what he had done had come
upon Marsden now and deprived him
Of reason. How could he prove that
he had been threatened with a re-
volver2 How could he prove that he
had not taken the money himself
Who would believe that Weston had
walked In and then out again with
$1,000?
His brain whirled. He was beside
himself
A beautiful girl In an opera cloak,
with a smile on her lips. tiptoed to the
library door to surprise the lover In
whom she had 80 much confidence.
She stood horror stricken on the thresh.
old.
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