The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-02-23

thought she raised her head to listen
Look at this hand he was say
ing. Regular pianola; you could play
it with your feet"
Hes a dear, isn't he?" Alison said
Unexpectedly. mo matter how de-
pressed and downhearted l am, l al
ways cheer up when l see RiChey."
He's more than that" [ returned
warmly "He is the most honorable fell
low I know. If he wasn't so much that
way, he would have a career before
him. He wanted to put on the doors
of our offices. Blakeley and Mcknight,
P. b. H., which is Poor But Honest"
From my comparative poverty to
the wealth of the girl beside me was
single mental leap From that
wealth to the grandfather who was
responsible for it was another.
81 wonder if you know that had
been to Pittsburg to see your grand
father when | met you?" | said.
"You!' She was surprised.
Yes And you remember the ALI
gator bag that l told you was eX-
changed for the one you cut off my
ARM" She nodded expectantly. We'll.
in that valise were the forged Andy
Bronson notes. and Mr.. GilmOre's dep,
osition that they were forged"
She was on her feet in an instant
"In that bag" she cried, oh, Why
didn't you tell me that before? Oh,
it's so ridiculous, $3.50 hopeless.
Why, I could"
She stopped suddenly and sat down
again. q 60 not know that | am sor-
~, after ALL" she said after q pause.
"Mr. Bronson was a friend of my IA
Tiers. II suppose it was a bad
thing for you, losing the papers?"
well, it was not a good thing" |
conceded. while we are on the sub.
ject of losing things, do you remem.
ber-do you know that | still have
your gold purse?"
She did not reply at once. The sha
dow OF column was over her face
/ but l guessed that She was staring at
me-
You have it," She almost whis
percd
Il picked it up in the street car !
said with a cheerfuIness l did not
feel ut looks like very opulent lit
tie purse"
Why didn't she speak about the
necklace? For Just a careless word
/ 10 ,,qlya mo caDa acaiD'
YOU" she repeated, horror-strick
en-. And then I produced the purse
and held it out on my palm
Il should have sent it to you be
fore, I suppose, but, as you know,
have been laid up since the wreck
We both saw Mcknight at the same
moment. He had pulled the curtain.
aside and was standing looking out a
us The tableau Of give and take wa.
unmistakable; the gold purse, her out
stretched hand, my own attitude. l
was over in a second; then he cam,
cut and lOunged on the balcony rail
ing.
They're mad at me in there h.
said airily, so ! came out. | suppos
the reason they call it bridge is be
cause so many people get cross owe
it,"
The heat broke up the card grou
soon after, and they all came out TO
the night breeze. l had no more word
alone with Alison
went back to the Incubator TO
the night. We said almost nothing G.
the way home; there was a constrain
between US for the first time that
could remember. 1t was too early TO
bed, and so we smoked in the Twin
room and tried to talk of trivia
things. After a time even those failed
and we sat silent. 1t was McKnigh
who finally preached the subject.
And so she wasn't at Seal Harbc
at all"
NO"
do you know where she was. Lo
lie?"
Somewhere near Cresson."
, And that was the purse-her purs
with the broken necklace in ito"
Yes, it was. You understand, don
you. Rich, that, having given her N
word, couldn't tell you?'
Il understand lot of things"
t. said, without bitterness.
We sat for some time and smoke
D Then Richey got up and stretcht
/. himself. I'm off to bed, old man."
e said. Need any help with that gan
+ arm of yours?"
No, thanks" l returned.
e l heard him go into his room al
G lock the door 1t was a bad hour f
;. me- The first shadow between L
e and the shadow of a girl at that
a CHAPTER XVII.