The Ordway new era., 1908-01-17

have been inal 10 run w n1NI
hut here she hid her face--l want.
ed TO look my best-to please you II
only had destroyed the letter
But you told NE you had"
Yes I know. meant 10. Butt
vas the only one had from you-ahd
and ! treasured It so ! kept It oy
M. TO read at every opportunity.
never tired Of reading il Ho"
dropped It do not know. but OF one
Thing am sure katcheuka Will keep
her word and carry out her threat II
she isn't paid Oh, It's maddening
She buried her face iu the sofa cush'
ions and wept Historically
Tom. sorely moved by her tears.
FASTENED TO comfort her.
Come. dearest" he murmured.
don't Jet this distress you so. know
rs entirely my fault that 1t has hap
pened. so /"
You shall not" she interrupted an
grily. You shall no, pay my debts
Please understand won't allow you to
do that. | have been foolish. and
must take the consequences,
10 YOU Ttd4lLt NL4dA LA1A AlAFaAAo
he asked. anxiously. Your husband
will have the letter and put the worst
possible construction ur-7 It. The
result will be social ruin % US both.
You must let me settle this affair"
Mrs. Windham. with the tears
streaming down her beautiful face.
| paced the room twice before answer
]
SO be IT," she said. with streaming
/ eyes. DO as you wish. dear one.
can give you no greater proof OF my
l love. One day | will repay"
Tom did not wait for more. II
seemed to him matter OF life and
death TO settle with Katchenka out OF
hand He drove like a hurricane to
the establishment in Albermarle
street. and was kept in a state OF tense
anxiety until he saw the proprietress
in person. She came in. a perfect fig
ure In soft black silk, her white teeth
showing in a fascinating smile.
Look here. madam" he began. Il
haven't got anything like the sum you
demand. can manage five hun.
| dred-'
She Interrupted him with a gesture
and curiously decided shake OF the
| head.
| IF 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
LOT, f,Nr IL.
sons? Besides. | can't afford to lose
the chance of getting a settlement OF
Mrs. Windham's account Business Is
business. you know. II don't have
the money by three o'clock" She
shrugged her well-shapen shoulders
Il shall have to go to Mr. Windham
with the letter myself. That's really
all can do"
Tom left in a rage. His income was
derived from landed property; and
one can't mortgage that between one
and three of a spring afternoon. OF
ready money he had about four hun.
| dred at his bank. and that was all.
| There he negotiated an overdraft for
| five hundred more. and went on to his
| club. where he tried a friend or two
| and drew blank.
BY half past two it had come to be
case OF the professional usurer OF
nothing. The rate OF interest Ton
had to pay was ruinous. but he hadn't
| even time to resent 1t.
1t wanted but few minutes of three
when he got back to Katchenka's. pait
madam the money. and received. in re
turn, an acknowledgment in full OF
behalf OF Mrs. Windham.
Thanks" said Tom. bitterly as hi
took 1t. But / want the letter a,
WE'LL"
what letter." asked madam.
why. the one you wrote about-tht
one Mrs. Windham dropped here"
But haven't got 1t. 1t was nevel
in my possession" she told him.
Not got it! You said you woult
take 1t Toto"
II had to say that. am sorry, bu
of 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 comint
destruction OF her valuable stock ii
trade. at last volunteered the admis
sion that the words she had quoted II
her letter had been dictated to her.
But who-great Scott!-who die
tated them?" cried Tom, bewilderet
and full of a new anxiety.
"The best thing l can do is to le
you see this" said madam, meekly
From the recesses Of her rustling sill
petticoat she drew an envelope. II
will show you that I have only fol
lowed instructions. and am not respon
sible for what has happened. Read 4
and convince yourself"
Tom took the letter from her extend
ed hand and read:
ITO Mrs. Windham.-Dear Madam
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