Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-05-26

fdent swing OF the successful and we'll
satisfied man, Beverly Westlake walk
ed along. scarcely noticing the silent
beggar ON the street-not until the
mans voice startled him violently
from his mental repose.
Hello. Peachy" was the irreverent
salute of Jack. why, you're some
elegant! How'd ye get the lift7"
The leading merchant philanthro-
pist, flnancier and exponent Of the
higher success wheeled abruptly, star
ed at the questioner. turned red, then
white. gripped his hands and moved
forward as IL to pass without a word.
thought better OF it, stopped and
frowned and finally mopped his fore
head with nervous agitation. Jack
Lecon was all smiles and his manner
as afrable rs a man who had called n
blum and knew he was stalking big
game.
quite a bit OF time since we met.
Peachy," he continued. extending a
hand, which Beverly ignored. Some
difference in US now. amt there7 You
got the swell cut all right and the fig
ger to carry 1t out. but I-why, l amt
good for much. I'm Jest sick and
down in luck"
The words trailed of into a whine
Then. with n sudden change of base,
Jack added. with little triumph In
his voice:
but | got my discharge all right.
and you didn't"
There was n remarkable and pitiful
transformation in Mr. Westlake. The
skin wrinkled. and the complexion
turned n sickly red. dotted with vel.
lowish and purplish spots.
81 say. Jack-Mr. Lecon." he STAN
mered when he could control his voice
what do you want-money
81 amt no bloated aristocrat that I
refuses IT," leered Jack. with al In
gratiating grin.
Mfr. westlake fumbled In his coat
pockets and produced a roll of bills
that caused poor Jack to gasp.
Take this" said the merchant, ex-
tending a generous wad of the freshly
minted green. "and-and don't bother
me again, Jack-Mr. Lecon, l mean
that is, fit Don't you want q
ticket to the Pacific coast. where the eli
mate is very agreeable at this season
Of the Year, I'll furnish you with one"
But Jack Lecon was no quitter when
on the easy trail of a victim. He was
garrulous by turns and much addicted
to the use of strong tonics. At such
moments he tried to make love to
Alice, Westlake's brave and devoted
wife. and openly flouted his bene.
factor. The uneasy head which wore
the crown of riches was bowed under
the burden thus placed so suddenly
upon his shoulders. But for Alice he
would have quit and confessed all.
"Tll go away, my dear" he groaned
in agony of spirit, "or I'll kill myself
no. kill himi He's the devil incarnate."
But Alice soothed and cautioned him
against rashness. Imagine the mortiti-
cation Of having q low down brute In
stalling himself in your home. insult.
ing your wife and making free with
your money and servants and always
holding the threat of an awful expo
sure over your head-a veritable sword
Of Damocles. but ten times keener of
edge and suspended not by thread,
but by tiny spiders web.
"No: we cannot go away" Alice said
in soft voice. 1--WE must stay and
bear our burden for the present You
have lived down your early disgrace
and proved yourself q repentant man"
But the law doesn't recognize that"
bitterly complained the broken down
capitalist. "If l escaped from prison
before my time expired I'm still a
criminal in the eyes Of the law. oh. If
l had been patient little longer!
Alice comforted him with words of
caressing affection, but the iron had
entered his soul, and he continued to
cry out:
ITO think this drunken brute should
have his freedom without fear Of cap