Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-12

NVtuS Win Whcu ne greeted MIS-
Chanouer.
Here it is-in the form OF an am
davit-just what you told me. Mrs.
Challoner"
Trembling. Mrs. Chanoner slowly
read the document
"Wiu you sign here. pleaseT"
There was no time 20 arrange any
idea she may have had for new tao.
tics Ia was Thorne's voice that was
insisting Mrs. Chanoner braced her
self Tor the first lie in her life
Its not true. I cannot sign it."
Thorne started back.
Not true. why. only a short time
ago YOU declared it was true"
$50 70 was. but oVly in "a way" she
said laboriously. Her face burned and
paled. n tried 20 bride him. BUT
"Bribe him. HowT'
with the money had left" she re.
piled
What have you leftT' he veutured
Curiously enough. Mrs. Challoner
found herself taking n certain amour
OF satisfaction In telling her Iawy,
what now was unquesrionably true.
my home-only."
"But that's mortEaged. I under.
stand e.
"les. but there's an equity OF about
twenty or twenty-five thousand" she
explained.
And you tried 10 bribe Murgatroyd
with S2O.OOOy"
Miriam was very white now.
Yes. and he refused e."
- should think So" murmured
Thcrne. Two hundred and nifty
would be more like Murgatroyd's
price, n be can be bought"
mo; be cannot be bought" Miriam
ventured. aud then she added: Il want
you. please. 60 retract this story. r.
i Will retract nothing" he cut In
rudely mot "A thing n yu. begin 20
retract youn get yourself In trouble d"
Miriam left the office. leaving Thorne
FAR nom certain that Peter Broder.
ick's appra!sement OF Murgatroyd's
character was not correct one.
That night when the papers came
out people read them in anger and dis.
may. BY the next morning they mere
ly laughed. likewise the court
IF he were bribcd." said public com
ment. 1T was bribe that didn't
work"
And Murgatroyd submitting 20 in
tervicw after Interview. reiterated
sver and over again TO the reporters:
Il point with pride. gentlemen. TO
the conviction or Lawrence ChalIoner
That's all I have 20 say"
The fasco had helped Murgatroyd
infinitely more than IL bad hurt him.
Chorne felt in his inmost soul.
One evening few weeks later. while
Murgatroyd was dressing 10 dine al
his club. his servant handed him q
note. II was but seldom that n square
white envelope came at this time. and
with pardonable look OF surprise and
curiosity on bis face Murgatroyd
opened IL and read:
must see you VIM you come to the
house tonight 3 Il b
An hour more and he was IN Mrs.
BloodgOOd's drawing room. waiting
more nervOusiy than he would have
cared 10 acknowledge TO himself for
the daughter OF the house to appear.
Il was the first time that she had ever
sent for him TO so to her. and be was
conscious Of some degree OF anxiety
as 10 her motive. The sound OF a
light step on the threshold OF the room
checked his disturbing speculations.
and he looked up 10 see Shirley Blood
good entering the room.
Something very urgent made me
send for you. Mr.. Murgatroyd." she
began. though her lips trembled- Il
want TO talk with you"
An instinct told Murgatroyd that IL
would be a grievous mistake not To
accept without a protesting word the
note OF aloofness that was in her tone.
Rightly he told himself that the slight
est advance on his part would result
In adding TO her distress: that. how
ever much he would like TO break
down the barrier that had arisen be-
tween them. he must bide his time and
trust 10 her emotional nature 10 ac-
complish that And he was not mis-
taken. for presently an impulse to
speak her mind at any cost took pos
session OF her. and she burst forth:
Billy. why did you take this mon
eyl Why2"
Murgatroyd essayed 10 speak. but
she Interrupted him.
"Don't"-covering her ears with her
hands-"don't tell me! l know you did
it-because I-I-oh. why did you lis
ten to me? l thought I knew what I
was talking about" she went on. while
be sought control OF himself by look
ing away from her. But I knew
nothing OF conditions--of men.
thought that a man--that you could
accomplish anything you really want
ed 20 do. But you were right. There
are impossibilities. understand now
now tina. Ia TOO late. have had
my lesson. Only few months ago
you were honest. and now you are cor
rupt, and ] alone am responsibieg'