Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-24

TWELVE
(Continued.)

'','>.
and opened the door for him.
Once on the street his impulse was
to tlee-get out, get away from the
whole business. A sullen shame was
pumping the hot blood up into his neck
and cheeks. An electric hanson flew
noiselessly past him. He shrank BACK
into the shadow of porte cochere
The hanson halted before the lime
stone basement house. A tall figure
left it, stood moment In the middle
Of the sidewalk, then walked quickly
to the front door 1t opened and the
man vanished.
The hanson still waited at the door.
Mortimer his hands shaking, looked
at his watch by the light of the cleo
trio bulbs thanking the gateway under
which he stood.
There was not much time in which
to make up his mind, yet his fright
was increasing to pitch which began
to enrage him with that towards cour-
age which it is impossible to reckon
with
Fumbling with his latchkey. but with
let himself in, passed silently through
the reception hall and up to the draw
ing room floor, where for second he
stood listening. Then something OF the
perverted sportsman sent the blood
quivering into his veins. He had him.
He had run him down! The game was
at bay.
ior
him He laid his hand on the banister
and mounted. gloves and hat brim
crushed in the other hand. When lie
entered the room, he pretended to see
only Lydia.
Hello, little girl" he said. laughing,
"are you surprised to-
At that moment he caught sight OF
| Quarter, and the start he gave was
| genuine enough Never had he seen in
| mans visage such white concentration
Of anger.
Rather unexpected, isn't it," said
Mortimer, staring at Quarter.
lis it?' returned Quarter in low
voice.
II suppose So" sneered Mortimer.
did you expect to find me here"
mo. Did you expect to find me?'
asked the other, with emphasis unmis-
taxable.
what do you mean?" demanded
| Mortimer hoarsely. What the devil
/, do you mean by asking me II expect
ed to find you here? If had, I'd not
hive Travelled down to your office to
day to see you; I'd have come here for
you. Naturally people suppose that an
engaged man is likely to give up this
sort of thing"
Quarter, motionless, white to the
lips. turned his eyes from one to the
| other He looked at Lydia, and his
Inns moved "You asked me to come.
he said.
mo: you offered to. I wished to
talk to YOU over the wire, but'-her
lin curled. and she shrugged her Shout
ders-"you seemed to- be AFRAID VI
something or other"
81 couldn't talk to you in my own
house, with guests in the ROOM"
zone moment" interposed Mortimer
blandly. "As long as l travelled down
town to see you and find you here SO
unexpectedly l may as we'll take ad-
vantage of this opportunity to regu-
late little matter. You don't mlnd
our talking shop for moment, Lydia!
Thank YOU It's just little business
matter between Mr.. Quarter and my
self. a matter concerning few shares
of stock which l once held in one OF
his companies bought at par and tum-
bled to ten and What is the fractlon'
Quarter? As.rget."
Quarter thought deeply for mo-
ment; then he raised his head, looking
full at Mortimer, and under his SILKY
beard an edge Of teeth gllmmered'
"Did YOU wish me to take back those
shares at par?" he asked.
Exactly! l knew you would! l
knew you'd see it In that way!" cried
Mortimer heartily. "Confound 1t all,
Quarter, I've always said you were
that sort of man; that you'd never let
friend in on the top floor and KICK
him clear to the cellar. AS matter OF
fact. | sold out at 1925. Wait! Here
pencil Lydia. give me that pad OF
your desk. Here you are, Quarter
It's easy enough to figure out no"
much you owe me. Lydia, would YOU
mind hunting up that check book
left here before din
} He had made mistake. The CIR
flushed. He choked up and cast star
tied glance at Quarter. But Quarriel
IL he heard made no motion Of under
standing. Perhaps it had not beer
necessary to convince him OF the con
spiracy.
When he had finished his figures he
reviewed them, tracing each total witt
his pencils point; then quietly handed
the pad to Mortimer, who went oVel
it and nodded that it was correct.
lydia rose. Quarter said, withou
: looking at her: Il have blank checl
: with me. May use one OF these
: pens?"
So he had brought check! Had nj
supposed that check might be neces
sary when Lydia called him up? Wa
he prepared to meet any demand O.
hers, too, even before Mortimer ap
peared on the scene?
: "As long as you have a check witt
YOU, Howard" said Lydia quietly
suppose you simply add to Mr. Nor
timers amount what you had intended
to offer me-"