Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-05
A Mystery
Romance
49,
CHAPTER XvlIL
Copyright. 1909, by Dodd,
Mead L Co.

It Then. motiOning politely for her TO
be seated, be took chair opposite to
hers and asked severely;
Mrs. Chanoner. that do you mean
by this? DO you recall the compact
made nearly six years agO?"
Yes. yes" she answered In a man
ner that showed plainly her desire TO
conciliate him.
Your husband went free" Murga-
troyd continued. and when we made
our compact we did not know whether
be was innocent or not: whether Il
was within the power OF the law 20
hold him OF TO free him. But 1 kept
my part OF the compact IN good faith.
Innocent or guilty. be finally weHt
free"
Yes, yes. I know" she returned
eagerly.
''Your part OF the compact was ST.
hence. and yet twice 10 this building
you have broken your word. and heav-
en- knows how many times outside"
Yes. yes" she answered contritely,
Il know. Don't think for a moment
that I have any fault to dnd with you,
Mr.. Murgatroyd None. whatever.
have always upheld you; always be
ieved In you: I believe in you now"
That's more than Shirley does"
And Murgatroyd smiled grimly. BE
eyed her strangely.
What do you want or meY'
Yes. yes. ! must get 20 the point"
she answered Umidly and then looked
up az him as ~ searching for some
expression on his face which would
help her 20 20 on. but she saw there
only Impotence. and a was with some
trepidatlon that she proceeded: ~Of
course you know how splendidly
Lawrence has done these last i've
years-what a man be mas made OF
himself. Why. certainly you know.
because he helped you with that con-
crete affair. and She paused 20 see
the eject OF her words. but again
they had been received with apparent
Indifference Nevertheless she said
proudly; Lawrence mas gone into
business for himself. Yes" she ADDED
quickly. nervouSly tapping the desk
before her with her fingers. and Law
renee can get that hospital JOB. he
wants it-wants "a badly. for he knows
be would do Ia right Mr. Murgatroyd
II would be the making OF his bust
ness"
She paused while her mind strug-
gled helpleSsly 90 ind the lifting words
with which 10 frame the difficult re
quest that was 10 come
Lawrence needs a bondsman 20 get
that Job. a man with 100000 TO go on
his bond And you know II Is very
hard. particularly hard for him. 20 tnd
n man who Is worth that much 20 90
on his bond-a bond that hell DO the
work and do II right oh. Mr. Murga-
troyd. would IL be asking TOO much or
you to-
Murgatroyd gazed az her steadily.
And you are asking me 10 so on a
100000 bond for your husbandg'
The tone OF his voice told Miriam
what she had to expect. and her heart
grew chill. but she braced herself 70
go on:
Yes" she answered. and her voice
was very gentle and very winning as
she proceeded. And n he could get a
little money-Just a little 20 buy ma
terlals. We have saved $500, but that
viii not go far Oh, be has worked so
hard. and / don't want him 20 get dis
couraged- He wouldn't ask these
things for himself. No. indeed Youn
go on his bond. won't your she asked.
with a wan smile. And loan him a
few thousand dollars 10 start the JobT"
There was a long silence. Finally
Murgatroyd spoke In an even voice:
You want me TO go on his bond and
loan him some thousands OF dollars
tooT
Mrs. ChaIoner inclined her head.
'Why. Mrs. Challoner," Murgatroyd
exclaimed, holding up his hands In
amRzement II haven't got the money!
couldn't go on a bond for a hundred
thousand dollars. and as for lending
him money, welP'-
To Mrs. ChaIloner the prosecutor IN
refusing was acting merely within his
rights. However. her feminine instinct
had made her conscious OF some indie
Enable change in him. so she persisted:
If only you could
Miriam ceased abruptly as he sprang
TO his feet and paced up and down.
gazing az her face as he passed her.
After awhile he came and stood over
her, apparently trying to make up his
mind regarding a certain course OF ac-
ton. Finally he said, with great feel
ing:
Mrs. ChaIloner. you are the BRAY
est woman / have ever known Please
call la wrence. Call them both back"
Meanwhile outside IN the waiting
room Lawrence ChaIloner walked dis
mally TO and fro. A wave OF pity took
possession OF him-pity for himself
for his then mistaken views of life.
pity for the little wife who had stood
30 nobly by him. In a measure enter
Ing into bis thoughts. though her own
were somewhat complex. Shirley
Bioodgood from where she sat IN a far
corner OF the room also waited nerv-
ously for the door TO open. And II
was thus that Miriam chaIIoner came
upon them. her eyes gitstening. a hap
py smile on DER face
Laurie. shirley" she stammered,
..Ill