The Washington times., 1909-10-14

EFT despite his present dlsordered
appearance, Bodine. unlike Da-
wis. had arisen that morning in
high good spirits.
He had slept well and restfully; the
memory Of the evening before spent
with Dorothy was a pleasant one, IN
spite of the fact that she had seemed
at times distracted and distract In
deed, might not that very dreaminess
and pTeOcCupauOn, so IN contrast 10 hef
usual lively ViVacity, be a favorable
sign a symptom of the secret love to-
ward him. which she refused 10 let
Yes: Bodine felt that he had no cause
for detection over such indications, and
that upon the whole his visit 10 ner
had been a success.
Finally. he had every reason for a
cheerful mood over the vastly improved
outlook Of his business affairs. The
matter of young Gabriel was moving
along smoothly and eXpedlL0uSly5 the
booming of Double Eye" TO a point
where the prospective victim would be
trimmed clean could not be proceeding
better, there was now scarcely doubt
that the Universal Trust Company notes
would be met on time, and that the
firm would emerge triumphant from all
its difficulties
Accordingly ne entered the office on
his arrival downtown gayly humming a
tune, and greeted the clerks and old
Andrus with so unwOntedly cheerful a
Good morning. that the once boy
He gave some direction to various of
his subOrdiuates, answered a call or
Two over the telephone held snort
conference with Audrus in the latter
private office. and then turned 10 MS
correspondence.
bore the letter-head of the big FlTln
avenue jewellers TO whom he had given
the guarantee the day before
Hello. ' lac commented. what 20 they
want now, ] wonder? If it's anything
more they want than my mere state
meuL that j believe the man al --6nl,
they are going to be badly dlsappolLt-
He dipped the letter open 1mpauently,
and read.
Although we do not doubt in any
degree the sincerity OF your favor
able report L. our Mr.. BdIslOH con-
corning the reliability and good talLu
OF Air Ralph Davis, we beg 90 ask
some further details, especially as
70 whether your confidence in him IS
based up0n mere general hearsay, or
81 experience of actual business re-
lauous with the man.
You viii pardon us troubling you
a second time iu regard 10 this mat
ter but We granted IeaEy credit
solely ora your assurances. ana have
since Lad our fears aroused by so
many reports on mr.. Davis Of a dis
tlnctly opposite tenor that We feel
justified 10 requesting fuller eE-
PLANTATION Of your position.
The fact TOO. that the diamond
necklace purchased was sent 10 q
chorus girl Dorothy Brent, seems
= us
Bodine broke off short in his read
ing and sat staring with loosely drop
ped Jaw at Ihe letter iu his hand, not
moving a single muscle for the space
Of a full minute
Then a great CULVER ran through His
frame, and his broad shoulders EeaVel
tumultuOusly.
His face became apopIectic iu hue, and
MS eyes EnoMe9 only a 1dl-e or white
The stenograpHef. sitting beside him
became alarmed al his appearance, and
stretched out a trembling hand.
"Age you 3D., Mr.. BodiueZ'
His only answer was q thick, NUT
tered curse. He slowly arose and moved
toward the water cooler The sreu0g-
Tapher, watching him IeaTfuLy. NOTED
thai he staggered slightly and sHIfheg
me glass OF water which he drained
however, seemed GO ltstOTe him some
what lie came back TO his desk, look
ing more like himself. although the dull
red hush sim manIIed his face, and hH
glance was vacant and staring.
Then his gaze fell once more upoI
the letter from the jewelers., and Ll
pupils CONTRACTED 10 pin points
In a spasm of fury he seized upOI
the sheet and tore 10 into fragments
grinding the fragments under his fee
The other letters he tossed into
drawer. and. banging down the top %
his desk. reached for his hat.
Expect me when you see me back.
he snaried at the stcuo--apher, as h
damned the hat over his head. IHei
he went ont.
Down the elevator and out 10 Tn,
street he hurried. Then. crossing over
he dived into the subway station and
caught an uptown express.
His movements were almost mechanl
cal so far. for he had no fixed or den
mite purpose in mind unless it lurkeg
unrecOgnized in the dark, subtle re
cesses at the back Of his brain.
Indeed. the sole ideas which his con