Middletown transcript., 1909-05-29

that evening,
Punctually at the hour he was
shown into the little drawing
room. Gladys, stately and
shimmering in a queenly robe,
awaited HIN, standing on the rug
By the fire.
You have sold those shares.
You have ruined me, he exclaim-
ed, without greeting or preface.
She smiled a hard, bitter
smile, and indicating with a
sweep of her bare white arm an
evening paper lying on the couch,
answered with maddening cool
ness.
So | gather from that.
He paused in his advance to.
ward her and staggered.
/ don't understand Why did
you sell?
To ruin you.
:. What /!
To deprive you Of what was
not yours; of what you stole from
Charles Burnley.
Flotman turned pale and spoke
in dry, staccato sentences.
I see some one has been poison
ing your mind telling
you silly lie II never
stole anything from Charlie
Burnley The claim s
were never his. I can prove it.
Dare you say this to his face9
she demanded fiercely.
OF course. But what do you
know of Burnley? Some one
has been humbugging you. He
was always a blackguard.
The woman looked at him with
her head advanced-a contempt
uous, loathing look, her hands
clinching her dress convulsively.
You say that ? You who left
him to die of fever in the weld,
while you rode into town to regis.
ter the claims in your own name.
It's a lie. Besides, what busi-
ness is it of yours ? What are
you to Charlie Burnley? The
tone was sinister.
What am 1 to Charlie Burnley?
Only his wife.
Flotman stood paralyzed, his
mouth half open ike victim of
stage fright. Speech failed him;
then a sickly, incredulous smile
made his face more ghastly.
His wife! he gasped at last.
Yes, my wife, you hound!
Flotman turned his head and
saw entering the room his old
partner-the man who had dis
covered the reef that had become
the once prosperous Old Jer.
icho mine, the man whom he hau
left sick unto death in the weld.
The two gazed at each other
for several moments; then Burn
ley spoke:
I Ishould like to thrash you, he
said, but I might hurt you and |
spoil the best part Of your punish |
ment. You are a ruined man tc.
day. That is enough for me.
This scheme has been my work.
1t has planned out well, eh!
Flotman stood silent, as if daz.
I'd and about to faint. Twice he
began to speak, but no articulate
sound would leave his mouth, till,
with an effort, he forced a harsh,
laugh.
You have scored, Charlie, and
7ou< can't complain because
lave had nay innings. 1t was all
n the game.
All in the game to desert a
lal when he was down with
ever? To leave him to die of
hirst and starvation while you
obbed him of his claims? I? Burn
ey almost shouted.
You would have done the same, swas
be sneering, cynical retort.
There was swift blow, an agonized
'hi from the victim, and shTill shrek
rom the woman as FIotmAn crashed to
he floor.
He lay prone for minute or so, then
atbered himself up. His face was bleed
lg, but he was not much kurt.
/ want my moDey-the money she go.
'r those shares. 1t is mine, be said
,oiiy.
Say please. sir, and you shall have It,
urilley rstorted with savage contempt.
Flotman hesitated.
Say it, quick!
Please, sir, give me my money.
I will. when / please. That will be
hen hear that the bank has foreclos.
on your securities. If yon had it now (
might pull you out Of the ire, but Pm !
ling 70 enjoy seeing you thoroughly Hn-
he'd. lis my turn to-day; have waited {
ears for this. q
Let him 60, Charlie, Gladys pleaded I
ou have punished him enough. Fl