Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-06-16
(continued.l

"Very we'll" whispered the mar
again. 81 guess you are playing fair
all right" He took package from
his inner pocket. 'sHere are your let
tiers. Have you got the money!"
"Yes," said Harriet softly; Il have
But wait. must see that the letters
are all here. Imogene, look over them
as quickly as you can. am afraid tC
turn on the light. but perhaps MIR
Fitzgeorge will be kind enough to lend
us his lantern"
"Well, say" chuckled the visitor
quietly, you've got your nerve with
you, all right I'm sorry didn't meet
you before" Again he laughed noise.
Iessly, produced his bullseye and threw
blaze of light on the pile of letters
which he laid upon the table. "Look
'em over, Imogene, my DEAR" he con
tinued, with unblushing familiarity.
'That's every one you ever wrote me-
With thrill Of pleasure the Texan
caught this last remark. The letters,
then, were not Harriet's, after all, and
she, brave girl, had dared to face this
scoundrel in order to shield a friend
He could wing the fellow as he stood.
But no. That would alarm the house
and undo everything which this splen.
did woman had striven to hide. He
could wait. and If the fellow offered no
affront he would let him go rather
than mortify Miss Renwyck by his
own appearance on the scene. When
the man was safely gone the Texan
could then slip quietly to his room,
and these two courageous girls would
never know that a sentinel had stood
guard outside the door.
Miss Imogene opened each letter to
make certain that 1t was there, counted
the pile and looked up timidly.
'They-they are not all here" she
faltered I'll wrote fourteen, and
here are only twelve"
THAT'S all ! got" said the burglar
shortly. "You never wrote but twelve"
"But did," protested the trembling
Imogene. "You know did, Rod-er-
mean Mr.. Fitzgeorge. Oh, Harriet,
won't you make him give me the other
twoT'-
Eyes. WILL" said Harriet firmly.
''Mr Fitzgeorge, we have acted In
good faith toward you and expect at
least a fair return. You demanded
$100. / have the money here In my
hand, but tell you once for all that
shall not pay you unless you sur
render all the letters to this child"
how ~ hrrm
glar answered sullenly. "And, what's
more. r. He paused at the sound of
a cat call from without and began
fumbling in his pockets. why, here
you areP' he exclaimed in well feigned
astonishment, producing the missing
letters. II didn't know l had 'em,
swear didn't Take 'em, my dear.
Pay up and well call it quits.'
"And-and you won't publish the
copiesT" quavered Miss Imogene as
though terrified at the sound of her
own whispers.
NO." said the man; az give you my
word as q gentleman" with a singular
Of the meaning of the
term. Hurry with the dough It's
getting late"
Assured that the letters completed
Miss Imogenes indiscreet list, Miss
Harriet tossed a relI of bills in the
circle of light which was made by the
bullseye lantern.
''You would better go now" she said
In tone of disgust which she made
no attempt to disguise. 81 win close
the window after you"
The man counted the money hurried
ly, slipped 1t into his vest pocket and
closed the slide Of the lantern
THANK you," he murmured, with
most elaborate bow. ''I'm much oblig-
ed to both Of you. Rich people like
you won't ever miss q little sum like