Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-01-17

only had destroyed the ietter!"
But you told me you had"
yes. l know. meant to. Butt
was the only one l had from you-and
and I treasured 1t so! kept II by
me to read at every opportunity.
never tired OF reading II. How
dropped It do not know: but of one
thing ! am sure: Kaichenka will keep
her word and carry out her threat II
she isn't paid. oh. it's maddening!"
She buried her face in the sofa cush-
ions and wept ,hysierically.
Tom. soreiy moved by her tears.
hastened to comfort her.
Come. dearest" he murmured.
don't let this distress you so. know
it's entirely my fault that It has hap
pened. so l."
You shall not" she Interrupted an
griiy. You shall not pay my debts.
Please understand won't allow you to
do that. I have been foolish. and l
must take the consequences"
DO you realize what that means:
he asked. ansiously. your husband
will have the letter and put the wors,
possible construction ur-I II. The
3
You must let me settle this AFFAIR"
Mrs. windham. with the tears
streaming down her beautiful face.
paced the room twice before answer.
Ing. She looked ut Tom tcndcriy.
so be It," she said. with streaming
eyes. DO rs you wish. dear one. !
can give you no greater proof OF my
love. One day will repay"
Tom did not wait for more. II
seemed TO him n matter of life and
death to settle with katchcnka out OF
hand. He drove like q hurricane to
the establishment In Albermarle
street. and was kept In state of tense
anxiety until he saw tho proprietrcss
urc In soft black silk. her white teeth
showing In fascinating smile.
Look here. madam" he began. Il
haven't got anything like the sum you
demand. can manage nve hun.
drcd-''
She interrupted him with n gesture
and curiousiy decided shake of the
head.
III you've only come to bargain. Mr..
Rufford. I'm afraid can't listen to
you.'' she declared. I'm sorry. but
your letter is worth every penny ask.
Can't you see that Mr.. windham would
give me more for it-for several rca.
sons? Besides. I can't afford to lose
the chance OF getting settlement OF
Mrs. w!ndham's account. business Il
business. you know. II I don't have
the money by three o'clock" She
shrugged her weli.shapcn shoulders
Il shall have to go to Mr.. windham
with the letter myself That's really
all can do
Tom left In rage. His income was
| derived from landed property: and
one can't mortgage tina; between one
and three of spring afternoon. or
ready money he had about four hun.
drcd at his bank. and that was all.
There he negotiated an overdraft for
fivc hundred more. and went on to his
club. where he tried friend or two.
and drew blank.
BY half past two It had come to bo
q case OF the professional usurer or
nothing. The rate OF interest Tom
had to pay was ruinous. but he hadn't
even time TO resent IT.
Il wanted but few minutes Of three
when he got back to Katchenka's. paid
madam the money. and received. in re-
turn. an acknowledgment in full on
behalf OF Mrs. windham.
Thanks" said Tom. bitterly as he
took It. But / want the letter as
WELL
What letter." asked madam.
why. the one you wrote about-the
one Mrs. windham dropped here"
But I haven't got It II was never
in my possession" she told him.
mot got 1t! You said you would
take II Toto"
II had to say that. am sorry. but
LOT course-I was Obliged"
Toms temper had been strained by
two hours of stress. Now 1t exploded
broke all bounds. He became violent.
and madam. who feared the coming
destruction of her valuable stock In
trade, at last volunteered the admis
sion that the words she had quoted in
her letter had been dictated to her.
But who-great Scott!-who die.
tated them?" cried Tom. bewildered
and full of new anxiety.
The best thing l can do is to let
you see this" said madam, meekly.
From the recesses Of her rustling silk
petticoat she drew an envelope. 1T
will show you that I have only fol.
lowed instructions. and am not respon.
sible for what has happened. Read It
and convince yourself"
Tom took the letter from her extend.
ed hand and read:
ITO Mrs. windham.-Dcar Madam:
According to promise hasten to inform
you that everything is settled. and a re-
ceipt in full handed to the gentleman
| ,r ho hrnuyht the money. 1 cannot exnrexs