Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-04-15
CHAPTER v-(continued.)

hearted man, weighed down with the
knowledge of the folly that had
parative poverty; when / saw my
father die, crushed in spirit by his
misfortunes j never thought / should
meet the man who brought his ruin
about"
Still Jimmy's gaze did not waver.
impressive, calm and imperturbable, he
listened unHnovaa 10 the bitter in
dictment.
This will says you were a man
or my fathers own class. n 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 70
escape from men whom you intro
duced with an air OF superiority as
thieves and blackmailers. That it
was you who rendered me this serv-
ice l shall regret 10 the end of my
days. You! You! You!" She flung out
her hand s~cornfully. IF they were
thieves, what are you? A gamblers
tout? A decoy? A harpy preying on
the weakness of your unfortunate fell
lows?"
She turned to Conner.
Had this man offered me his help
| might have accepted 1t. Had he Of
Tered to forego his claim to this for
tune l might have been impressed by
his generosity. From you, whom God
gave advantages of birth and educa-
ton, ana VINO utilized tnem 10 bring
ruin and disaster on such men as my
father, the offer is an insult
Jimmy's face was deadly pale, out he
made no sign. Only his eyes shone
brighter, and the hand that twisted the
point of his beard twitched n~ervously.
The girl turned to Angel YEARLY.
Her outburst n the tension of the
evening had exhausted her.
WI you take me home, Mr.. Angel?"
she said.
She offered her hand to the lawyer,
who had been ar 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 / am u~naccountable
20 man or woman. Your condemnation
makes 1t neither easier nor harder to
live my life. Your charity might have
made a difference"
He held out a OBTAINING hand, for
kathleen had gathered UP her skirts
TO move away.
Il have considered your question fair
ly. / am one of the men to whom your
father owed his ruin, insomuch as I
was n OF Reale's associates. / am
not n OF the men, insomuch as l used
my every endeavor to dissuade your
father from taking the risks he took"
The humor of some recollection took
hold OF him and a grim little smile
came into his face.
You say / betrayed your father" he
said in the same quiet tone. "As a fact
l betrayed Reale. I was at trouble to
explain to your father the secret of
Reale's electric roulette table; I dem
onstrated the futility of risking another
f~arthing." He laughed. II nave said
! would not excuse myself. and here I
am pleading like a small boy, If you
please. IL wasn't me-" he said a little
impatiently; and then he added abrupt
ly, Il will not detain YOU" and walked
away.
He knew instinctively that she wait
ed a moment hesitating for a reply,
h he heard the rustic of her dress
and knew she had gon He stood look
Ing upward to where the grave granite
set marked the ashes Of Reale, until her
footsteps died away and the lawyers
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 I want to
hear 40 other, IL 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 biunder.
II beg your pardon" he said
quickly. II merely wished to say
Jimmy did not wait TO rear what he
said. but turned upon Connor.
I've got q few words to say to YOU"
he said. His voice had gone back to
its calm level, but there was q men
acc In it's quietness.
"When / persuaded Angel to give
you a chance to get away on the night
the Borough Lot was arrested, I
hoped / could get you TO agree with
me that the money should be handed
10 Miss Kent when the word was found.
I knew In my inmost heart that this
was a 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 a
mipute or two. then he stopped.
Conner" he said suddenly, ''you
tried to take my life the other night.
/ have a mind to retaliate. o may
go ahead and puzzle out the word tina
unlocks that safe. Get 1t by any means
that suggest themselves to you. Steal
ii. buy lido anything you wish. The
day you secure the key to Reale's
treasure I shall kill you"
He talked like a man propounding a
simple business proposition, and the
lawyer. who In his early youth had
written a heavy little paper on "The
Congenital Criminal" listened and
watched. and. In quite a respectable
way. gioated.
Jimmy picked up his hat n coat
from a cha and nodding to the law
yer. strolled out OF the hall.
In the vestibuie where the N com
m~issionaire had been were six. Every
man was a 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, n PASSED out
into the street.
And now only the lawyer and Conner
remained, and as Jimmy left, they too