Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-05

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sire 20 save bis wife aud him from the
results of his designations And so.
rising. Cballoner grabbed impulsively
MUrgatroyd's band. saying:
mot another word. old man. It's all
right"
Thank you" Murgatroyd said. visi-
bly, affected. and then added: only
one thing more remains 70 be done.
Mrs. Chsloner. must ask you 70
break these seals"
'Oh. no. Mar. Murgatroydr' she said.
Surely you must know that believe
your
But Murgatroyd insisted. and. obey.
Ing him hnally. Miriam broke the
seals. and presently she showed TO
them the securities undisturbed, Just
as Murgatroyd had taken them. dollar
for dollar. boad and bond.
Suddenly Murgaroyd felt a touch on
the arm.
And / believe you, Billy" said
Shirley contritely.
An enigma deal smile passed across
the prosecutors face.
DO you. indeedy'' he said dryly.
A slight pucker showed on Miss
BlOodgood's beautiful brow, but she
replied. quite unrutfied:
why. OF course I do. After all, you
were honest weren't your And. not
waiting for MS answer. added ingenu-
ously. You were not a theft"
Murgatroyd's face became very seri-
GUS.
Yes. ] was" he protested. Il was a
thief" And with that be turned 10
Chanoner and said IN a voice OF great
feeling: "ChallOner. this money Is your
wife's; take H. And. great God. man."
be grOaned. 'don't-don't forget what
Il did 10 you-whst II made you years
ago"
Mrs Challoner shivered- Chailoner.
hesitating. advanced and said:
Wen take t. I'm not a bit afraid
now, Murgatroyd. for I kn0tC." And
then. holding out his hand. he contin-
ued kindly, BILLY. II you hadn't taken
Il where would I have been todayY"
"Free-free as you are now" said
the other man IN a low. strained tone.
Yes" assented Chailoner. out Of
prison. but
Mrs. Challoner quickly rose and put
an END 10 the conversation
Come. Laurie" she said abruptly.
and. holding out her hand. "Goodby.
Mr.. Murgatroyd. I'm afraid we have
taken up altogether too much OF your
time"
Murgatroyb shook hands with the
Challoners. But on Shirley making
her adieus be said:
May ] have a moment with you.
Miss Bloodgood7 Won't you wait.
pleaseT"
Mrs Chsnoner answered for the
girl:
shirley, don't be In any hurry. Lau-
RE and will wait for you In the ante
room" And as they passed out Chsl-
Toner called. Wait until you see that
concrete hospital Murgatroydr'
For moments that seemed hours
Shirley and Murgatroyd stood facing
each other. neither having the courage
20 speak, the girl filed with shame az
the great wrong she had done 70 the
man she loved. while he. feeling as II
the burden that had rested upon his
soul hsd - lest rolled away. was
drawing deep Notwithstanding like
a man who has suddenly come out OF
darkness into daylight Shirley was
the first 20 break the silence. and now.
looking up at Murgatroyd with a little
shake OF the head. she asked
BILLY. do you care 10 know what
think OF your
perhaps ~ had cared less r.
But not for a moment would Shirley
listen now 10 his censuring himself
further. and quickly she cut him OF.
Il think Il was a far finer thing 20
take the money and not touch IT." she
declared with true feminine logic.
than never 60 have taken ii az all"
But what II this habit should grow
upon meT' he retorted smilingiy. "Ev-
idenuy Miss Bloodgood doesn't know
what graft awaits me in Washington"
Shirley laughed softly.
"To think that you accomplished all
this without money! she said hap
PLY.
but the worst is yet 10 come" be
observed. 1T means that one has to
keep up the social game. the club
game, the political game. and Lord
knows what other games on $500 a
year. An unmarried man must starVe,
and heaven help the married senatorl