The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-04-27
ps'
Temptation

Brewer shrugged his shoulders lit
tie angrily, for the idle remark irri-
tated him.
ITS So" persisted the speaker.
you've the best chance on earth to
be dishonest if you wanted to and
never be s"spected. Lucky for the
banks-and lucky for you-that you're
honest"
The words repeated themselves in
his mind as Brewer walked along.
Crayfoot was right. Brewer, an ex-
pert man on safes, time and time
again again held the secrets of bank
vaults in his mind, with no man to
stop him should he choose to dispose
Of the night Waterman and, opening
those vaults. relock them after help
ing himself. 1t was indeed lucky that
he was honest
| With the speculative smile still curv
ing his lips he turned in at the Guth-
ries' house, springing up the steps
with the eagerness which was always
his when Gertrude Guthrie was near.
AS she came toward him, smiling.
Brewer thought again, as he had
thought innumerable times before,
how all things beautiful should be hers
by right-beauty of surroundings, of
garb, of jewels. That she should be
wasted in obscurity seemed a crime
and the Guthrie family was in only
moderate circumstances, with all the
longing of those poor for generations
for the power of wealth.
That evening he discovered that ex-
citement swayed Gertrude's parents.
Evans. the millionaire, had of late
shown marked preference for Ger
trude's society. So in her mothers
heart a wild hope had sprung to life.
Brewer, who always had been cordial
ly welcomed before, felt chill in the
air.
You forget" Gertrude's mother told
her when she had promised Brewer
that she would go with him to the
theater the following evening, you
call"
Brewer. watching the color come
and go on the girls face with a queer
choking sensation in his throat. knew
that to Gertrude also Evans was a
glittering prospect.
Walking slowly homeward, thinking
1t over, he could not blame her With
the possibility of losing her, despera-
ton began to tinge his thoughts. He
was still going over the same weary
round mentally the following day as
he worked on the time lock of the
Eastern bank. Into his musings, clear
and sharp like stroke, hoated Cray
foots idle suggestion as to his chances
to enrich himself.
His hands trembled as he worked
on. Once or twice he glanced hall
frightened, into the interior of the
vault, where he had no right to go
Strange thoughts disturbed his brain
and his lips frightened into line as
he planned-for it could do no harm
to plan. 1t really was very simple
The only drawback was that eventu
ally suspicion would narrow down tC
him. BY then. however. he could have
his plumber safely concealed. They
could prove nothing and Gertrude
WOulO DeneVe IN nlm
This thought brought the first chill
for how could he face her. she believ
ing in him? He remembered hel
trustful eyes and breathed hard. Their
he remembered Evans and again tool
up his planning with tightening lips
There was queer medley in hi:
brain several nights later when hi
again sought Gertrude He had mac
fancy that he could better crystalline
his plans If he were in her presenc.
and could hear her voice. Since temp
tation had beset him he had existed IL
daze. thinking. planning. always
planning.
toward the girl when conversation
Jagged. Gertrude" he asked huskily
would you give up Evans-would 20,
marry me If had money-and coul,
give you things?"
Startled, she looked at him and thel
she smiled. the half sad, tender smil'
women give those for whom they car,
In spite Of all.
But you'll never have money
Louis" she told him. You are not on
Of the kind of men who get rich"
Brewer saw only the smile. Il shall
be, tell you!" he said. And then
) you'll marry me?"
She drew back and her face whit
ened as her eyes searched his haggar
face.
NO" she almost whispered mo. be
cause if you came to me with fol
; tune in your hands, Louis. I'd knov
that you hadn't got it honestly"
AS Brewer gazed into her eyes h
felt helplessly that they saw far dow
into the secret recesses of his sou
were reading the blackness of tn
thoughts there. He felt that she wa
shrinking from him in 9awning hol
ror. His face drODped into his hands