The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-04-07
CHAPTER v-(Continued.)

hearted man, weighed down with the
knowledge Of the folly that had
parative poverty; when I saw my
father die, crushed in spirit by his
misfortunes, l never thought I should
meet the man who brought his ruin
about"
Still Jimmy's gaze did not waver.
!mpassive, calm and imperturbable, he
listened unmoved to the bitter in
dictment
This will says you were a man
or my fathers own class. one who
knew the tricks by which a gentle,
simple man. with a childish faith in
such men as you. might be lured into
temptation"
Jimmy made no reply. and the girl
went on in biting tones
"A few days ago you helped me to
escape from men whom you intro
duced with an air Of superiority as
thieves and blackmailers. That 1t
was you who rendered me this serv-
days. You! You! You!" She flung out
her hand scornfully. If they were
thieves, what are you? A gamblers
tout? A decoy? A harry preying on
the weakness Of your unfortunate fell
lows?"
She turned to Conner.
Had this man offered me his help
I might have accepted it. Had he Of
fered to forego his claim to this for
tune I might have been impressed by
his generosity. From you, whom God
gave advantages of birth and educa-
ton, and who utilized them to bring
ruin and disaster on such men as my
father, the offer Is an insult"
Jimmy's face was deadly pale. but he
made no sign. Only his eyes shone
brighter, and the hand that twisted the
point Of his beard twitched nervously.
The girl turned to Angel YEARLY.
Her outburst and the tension Of the
evening had exhausted her.
VIII you take me home. Mr.. Angel?"
she said
She offered her hand to the lawyer,
who had been an interested observer Of
the scene. and ignoring the two men,
she turned to go.
Then Jimmy spoke.
Il do not attempt to excuse myself,
Miss Kent" he said evenly; "for my
life and my acts I am unaccountable
makes 1t neither easier nor harder to
live my life. Your charity might have
| made difference"
He held out a OBTAINING hand, for
Kathleen had gathered up her skirts
to move away.
IT have considered your question fair
| ly. l am one of the men to whom your
| father owed his ruin, insomuch as I
| was one of Reale's associates. l am
| not one OF the men, insomuch as used
my every endeavor to dissuade your
father from taking the risks he took"
The humor Of some recollection took
hold of him and grim little smile
| came into his face.
| you say 1 betrayed your father" he
said in the same quiet tone. "As fact
I betrayed Reale. I was at trouble to
explain to your father the secret of
/ Reale's electric roulette table; 1 dem
onstrated the futility of risking another
| farthing." He laughed. II have said
/ would not excuse myself, and here l
| am pleading like small boy, If you
| please, 1t wasn't me-" he said q little
impatiently; and then he added abrupt
ly, II will not detain you," and walked
away.
| He knew instinctively that she wait
ed moment hesitating for a reply,
then he heard the rustic Of her dress
| and knew she had gone. He stood look
ing upward to where the craven granite
set marked the ashes Of Reale, until her
footsteps died away and the lawyer
voice broke the silence.
Now, Sir James" he began, and
Jimmy spun round with an oath, his
face white with passion.
Jimmy" he said In a harsh voice
Jimmy Is my name and want to
hear no other If you please"
Mr. SPEEDING, used as he was to the
! hayward phases Of men, was a little
startled at the effect Of his words, and
FASTENED to atone for his blunder.
IL beg your pardon" he said
quickly. II merely wished to say"
Jimmy did not wait to hear what he
said, but turned upon Connor.
I've got few words to say to you, >
he said. His voice had gone back to
its calm level, but there was q men,
AGO in it's quietness.
when / persuaded Angel to give
you a chance to get away on the night
the Borough Lot was arrested,
hoped I could get you to agree with
me that the money should be handed
to Miss Kent when the word was found
| knew In my inmost heart that this
was forlorn hope" he went on, that
there Is no gold in the quartz Of your
composition. You are just beast all
through"
He paced the floor Of the hall for c
minute or two. then he stopped.
"Connor," he said suddenly, "you
tried to take my life the other night
have a mind to retaliate. You may
go ahead and puzzle out the word that
unlocks that safe. Get 1t by any means
that suggest themselves to you. Steal
1t. buy lido anything you wish. The
day you secure the key to Reale's
treasure shall kill you"
He talked like man propounding q
simple business proposition, and the
lawyer. who in his early youth had
written a heavy little paper on 1.-THE
Congenital Criminal" listened and
watched, and, in quite respectable
way, gloated.
Jimmy picked up his hat and coat
from a chair and nodding to the law
yer, strolled out Of the hall.
In the vestibule where the one COM
missionaire had been were six. Every
man was noncommissioned officer
and, as was apparent from his medals
had seen war service. Jimmy noted the
belt about each man and the dangling
revolver holster, and approved Of the
lawyers precaution.
Might guard, sergeant major?" he
asked, addressing one whose crowned
sleeve showed his rank.
DAY and night guard, SIR" replied
the officer quietly.
Good" said Jimmy, and passed out
into the street
And now only the lawyer and Common
remained and as Jimmy left, they toe
prepared for departure.
The lawyer was mildly interested II
the big, heavy criminal who walked by
his side. He was fairly familiar type
of the headed desperate.
There is nothing / can explain? 2
asked SPEEDING. as they stood together
in the vestibule.
Connor's eyes were on the guard, ant
he frowned q little.
| trIG ne h,