Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-07-10

"Yes, wei" he repeated, Dut MS lac'
had grown CHASTITY and his uncertain
eyes were fastened on hers IN the mir
ror.
"What do you mean-exactlyv' sh'
asked. turning from the dresser to con
front him.
He made no effort to answer. An eS
preston of dull fright was growing
on his visage, as though for the frs
time be had begun to realize what had
happened.
She saw It and her heart quickened
but she spoke disdainfully: "Well,
am ready to listen-as usual. HOW
much do you wants?
He made no sign. His lower LIP
hung loose. His eyes blinked at her.
"What is ity' she repeated. "What
have you been doing? How much
have you lost? You can't have lost
very much. We hadn't much to lose
If you have given your note to any OF
those gamblers 1t is a shame-a shame!
Leroy, look at me! You promised me-
on your honor, never to do that again
Have you lied, after all the times
have helped you out, stripped myself,
denied myself, put off tradesmen,
faced down creditors? After all
have done, do you dare come here and
ask for more-ask for what | have not
got-with not one bill settled, not one
servant paid since December
Leila, live got-to tell YOU
"WhatT she demanded. appalled, by
the change in his face. If he was
OVERRIDING it. he was OVERRIDING it real
istically enough.
'T-Pve used Plank's check" he
mumbIed and moistened his lips with
bis tongue
She stared back at him, striving {
comprehend. "Plank'sw she repeated
slowly. "Plank's check? What check =?
What do you mean?"
"The one he gave you last night to
pay his bridge losses and forgot to fill
in"
"The one he But you couldn't!
How could you. 1t was not filled H."
81 filed it."
Her dawning horror was reacting
on him, as it always did. like a fierce
tonic. and his own courage came back
In sort Of sullen desperation.
fr-xyt In To- fri ION
Leroy" she stammered. You are try
ing to make me do something give
you what you want-force me to give
you what you want! You can't fright
en- me. The check was made out to
me-to my order. How could you
have used it, If had not Endorsed it?'
II Endorsed it. Do you understfn nd
that?" he said savagely.
mo, don't. Because if you did
It's forgery"
81 don't give a - what you think
1t isr' he broke In 6ercely. "All I'm
worried over is what Plank will think.
didn't mean to do it. didn't dream
of doing 1t. When / saw that check
in my hands thought I'd use 1T tenn
porarily-merely as moral collateral to
fash at Burbank something to back
my / o US. So l filed it In"
"For how much?' she asked. not dar-
ing to believe him. but he ignored the
question and went on, II filed 1t and
Endorsed it and"-
"How could you indorse it?" she in
terrupted coolly, now unconyinced
again and suspicious.
"I'll tell you if you'll stop that fool
tongue q moment. The check was
made to Il. Mortimer wasn't 1t? So
wrote Il. Mortimer on the back.
Now do you know? If you are L. Nor
timer, SO am 1. Leila begins with L;
so does Leroy. doesn't 1t? | didn't i'm
itate your MISUNDERSTANDING auto
graph. l put my own fist to check
made out to one L. Mortimer. and !
don't care what you think about 1t as
long as Plank can stand 1t. Now put
up your nose and howl. if you like"
But under her sudden pallor he was
taking fright again, and he began to
bolster up his courage with buster
and noise as usual.
Howl all you like" be jeered. at
won't alter matters or square ac-
counts with Plank. What are you
staring at? Do you suppose I'm not
sorry? Do you fancy don't know
what fool I've been? What are you
turning white for? What
''How much have you She chok-
ed, then, resolutely, How much have
you-takenT
"Takenw he broke out with an oath.
"What do you mean2 I've borrowed
about $4,000 Now yelp! Eth? What?
No yelps? Probably some weeps then.
Turn 'em on and run dry. I'll wait"
And he managed to cross one bulky
leg over the other and lean back, af-
fectlng resignation. while Leila, bolt
upright in her low chair, every curved
outline rigid under the flowing silken
wrap, stared at him as though stun
ned.
"Well, we're good for 1t. aren't WEI"
he said threateningly. "If he's going
to turn ugly about 1t, here's the
house?"
"My-house"
"Yes, your house! suppose you'd
rather raise something on the house
than have the thing come out in the
papers"
"Do you think sof" she asked. star
Ing into bis bloodshot eyes.
"Yes, do. I'm sure Of itw
"You are wrong"
"You mean that you are not inclined
to stand by me-" he demanded
"Yes, mean that
"You don't intend to help me outT"
81 do not intend tO-nOt this Time"