The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-04-15
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| er11ptatlon

4 -.
/ tated him.
It's So" persisted the speaker
You've the best chance on earth tt
pc dishonest if you wanted to and
| never be suspected. 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-
rles' 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 crime
and the Guthrie family was in only
moderate circumstances, with ali the
longing of those poor for generations
for the power of wealth.
s
That evening he discovered that ex-.
c1tement sWayed Gertrude's parents.
Evans, the millionaire, had Of late.
shown marked preference for Ger
trude's society. so in her mothers
heart wild hope had sprung to life.
Brewer, who always had been cordial
" 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
forget that Mr.. Evans said he might
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
it 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 a stroke, f1oated Cray.
foct's idle suggestion as to his chances
to enrich himself.
His hands trembled as he worked
on. Once or twice he glanced. half
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
ne p1anned-for it could do no harm
to plan. It really was very simple.
The only drawback was that eventu-
ally suspicion would narrow down to
him. By then, however, he could have
his plumber safely concealed They
could prove nothing and Gertrude
would believe in him.
This thought brought the first chill,
for how could he face her, she believ-
ing in him? He remembered her
trustful eyes and breathed hard Then
he remembered Evans and again took
up his planning with Tightening lips.
There was a queer medley in his
brain several nights later when he
again sought Gertrude. He had mad |
fancy that he could better crystalline
MS plans if he were in her presence
and could hear her voice. Since temp
alton had beset him he had existed In
] daze, thinking. planning, always
planning.
His eyes were feyerish as he bent
oWard the girl when conversation
agged. Gertrude" he asked, huskily,
would you give up Evans-would you
marry me il had money-and could
i've you things"
Startled, she looked at him and then
he smiled, the half sad, tender smila
women give those for whom they care
n spite of all.
But you'll never have money,
louis" she told him. You are not one
# the kind of men who get rich
Brewer saw only the smile. Il shall
e, tell you!" he said. And then
QUILL marry me?'
She drew back and her face whit
ned as her eyes searched his haggard
ace.
No. she almost whispered, mo, be.
ause if you came to me with for
une in your hands. Louis, I'd know
hat you hadn't got it honestly
AS Brewer gazed into her eyes he
alt helplessly that they saw far down
ito the secret recesses Of his soul.
tere reading the blackness OF the
loughts there. He felt that she was
drinking from him in daWning hor-
or. His face dropped into his hands.
1t was as from distance that he
card her breathe his name Louis,
ae said, haltingly. 7 don't under
land. Why should you SO misjudge
le? Why should a question OF wealth
ater into the subject of my--Inarry-
lg you? # cared, you know? Do
ou think SO poorly Of me as that?"
The man, raising his head, saw her
loco AncbnH NTH