The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-20
CHAPTER NNNlII.


sobs. but the next instant had fallen
BACK into his former Iethargy.
The whole world seemed tcpSy turvy
90 the dishonest auditor Of Beaumont &
Brothers.
Nothing mattered after all Nelson had
cold him. There was nothing to he
said. nothing to De done There could
be no possible attempt at excuses, for
Mr.. ellison had done his particular part
in the work so well that he had left no
toophole of escape for Wharton.
No one would have recognized in the
Bringing, stUpid-faced person in the big
chair the same man who a short while
before had been the essence of inso-
fence and boldness. He was completely
lost In his own melancholy thoughts,
and what the two others said or did
had little interest for him
Wharton was firmly convinced that
the whole world was arrayed in 4 plot
against him. He could not push 20 its
logical conclusion TIE fat that 1t was
merely a question Of time before his
misdemeanors would find him out. He
had been on the alert for discovery in
his office, but he little dreamed that the
medium instrumental in his undoinS
would come to the door of his home.
Even when he understood that Nelson
was on his trail ne could not realize
that ne would actually be caught up
within so short a time
"oh, tell me It isn't true moaned
Betty between convulsive sobs. 1T
can't be true. There is some awful
mistake"
There was no reply from either OF
the men.
Nelson turned his head in order TO
avoid her searching eyes.
Wharton did not take the trouble
10 look away. He sat there staring
81 her as II he were made Of wood
',oh, say something, won't YOU?
Somebody tell me there is a mistake, -
begged Betty as she broke into fresh
paroxysm OF sobbing-
Still there was no response.
will" implored his wife, kneeling
on the floor and stroking his arm,
''teil me that you are not she stop
ned short She couldn't say the word.
Finally she mastered her emotion SUI
Aciently 10 add:
Tell me that you are not-a-thlef-
The last word was spoken in such
low tone that it could scarcely be
heard.
But there was still no reply.
Betty looked from one to the other
OF the men. On each face she read
confirmation OF her fears.
IL didn't mean TO listen" she said,
when she gained control over her
voice Il was passing in the hall' Wheh
heard something which caused me
70 stop. Before l could go on hearo
more. and that was the way II was
didn't mean to listen,' she repeated III
a pathetic voice.
And I didn't mean that Tou should
learn this distressing news In SO cruel
n fashion" said Nelson Poor hIIle
woman! My heart aches for you
would have spared you all this IL
had been in my power
Nslson looked at her with glance
40 kind. so full of pity and tenderness
that Betty's sobs broke forth afresh-
Then, It is all true" she said Al
true. And I am the wife OF thleI-A
VINO despise anything dishonest On
great heaven! what have ] done thai
should be punished in this way! I've
tried TO do my duty. I've tried Sc
hard. and now things turn out hA'
this
petty threw herself on the coucf
and gave way unrestrainedly to hel
pent-up feelings
Nelson went over to her
There, there he said, be brave
You must be. Everybody has troubl'
TO face In this world. Where's you
courage? You mustn't give way like
this. Trials can't last forever, yoI
know"
This one will replied Betty. be
tween her sobs. This will last all m!
life. You must remember I am hi
wife"
II haven't forgotten that said Mel
son with grave look. as he pressed
his lips together in a straight line.
''If it were only today that I have t.
think about" went on Betty. Il
wouldn't matter so much But it ISM
Suvt the present It's tomorrow am
tomorrow, and tomorrow. It's all m,
life that comes before me and make
me miserable The thought that IN
husband has stolen. It's too terrible
Oh. how could you do il. WIFI
Again Betty gave way TO her tears
Nelson patted her on the shoulder. a
II 70 cheer her up a bit, although n
Hsid nothing.
While he stood by Betty tried TO rails
her downcast spirits. Wharton, wht
had been impassivs through all hi
uffe's piteous appeals, rose to his feet
Pm not a thief, Betty, I'm not
thief" ne said. in a logged voice, who's
tones. however, failed to carry convic
ton with them.
Betty looked up in the midst Of he
tears, and with eyes all red and mist
she said:
.oh. VIII. If it were only true. sa,
u over again
I'm not thief Betty" repeate
Wharton.
But somehow his declaration did no
impress her as being a truthful state
ment.
on, VIII. if I could only believe you
Oh, how 7 wish I could believe you
Wharton stood looking at her In
dszed sort Of fashion, but made no an
sweT.
Tell me, again, Will" she pleaded
that you are innocent. ] want 20 hea
a."
She turned to Nelson.
There must be some mistake, Nj
Nelson. II can't be true"
Nelson was silent He simply locke
down at the carpet He could hav
wept for the hard struggle that Bett
was undergoing.
"a