Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-18

the bank itself had not communicated with Plank as soon as the check was presented for payment Therefore Plank must have been placated by Leila-how, Mortimer was satisfied not to know.
 Some of these days" he said to himself. "Ill catch her tripping. and then there'll be decent division of property or there'll be a divorce" But. as usual, Mortimer found such practices more attractive in theory than in execution. and he was really quite contented to go on as things were going. if somebody would see that he had some money occasionally.
 One of these occasions when he need- ed it was approaching. He had made killing" at Desmond's and had used the money to stop up the more threat ening gaps in the tottering financial fabric known as his personal &C., counts" The fabric would hold for awhile. but meantime he needed mon- ey to go on with. And Leila evidently had none. He tried everybody except Plank. He had scarcely the impu- dence to go to Plank just yet, but when completing the vicious circle he found his borrowing capacity exhaust ed and himself once more face to face with the only hope. Plank. he sat down to consider seriously the possi. bility of the matter.
 Of course Plank owed him more than he could ever pay--the ungrateful par venu!-but what Plank had thought of that check transaction he had never been able to discover.
 Somehow or other he must put Plank under fresh obligations, and that might have been possible had not Leila invaded the ground. leaving nothing. now that Plank was secure in club life.
 Of course the first thing that pre- sented itself to Mortimers considera- tion was the engineering of Plank's matrimonial ambitions. Clearly the man had not changed. He was al- ways at Sylvia's heels. He was seen with her in public. He went to the Belwether house great deal. No pos sible doubt but that he was as infat- uated as ever. And Quarter was go- ing to marry her next Noyember-that Is. if he. Mortimer. chose to keep si- lent about certain midnight episode st Shotover
 Several times he called up Quarrier on the phone and made appointments to lunch with him. but these meetings never resulted in anything except luncheons which Mortimer paid for, and matters were becoming desperate.
 So one day. after having lunched too freely. he sat down and wrote Plank the following note:
 My Dear Beverly-You will remember that l once promised you my aid in se- curing what, to you. Is the dearest object of your existence. have thought, have poncered. I have given the matter deep and. may add without irreverence, pray erful consideration. knowing that the life's happiness of my closest friend de- pended on my judgment and wisdom and to secure for him the oppor- tunity to crown his Iife's work by the ac- quisition of the brightest jewel fin the dia- dem of old Manhattan.
 By George. that's wickedly good, thought" chuckled Mortimer. refresh- ing himself with his old standby, an apple. quartered and soaked in very old port. So be sopped his apple and swallowed 1t and picked up his pen again. chary of overdolng 1t:
 All say to you Is. be readyl The time Is close at hand when you may boldly make your GyowaL But be ready. All depends upon the psychological moment. An instant too soon. an instant too late. and you are lost And she Is lost forever. Remember. Be faithful; trust in me. and wait And the instant I say. "speakss pour out your soul. my dear friend. and be certain you are nos pouring 1t out In vain M
 tTo be Contihueds.