Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1911-07-27
Temptation

DT6WeT SIT uSBeu Inb bHOulueTS III
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 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-
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
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
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, floated Cray
foot's idle suggestion as to his chances
to enrich himself.
His hands trembled as he worked
on. Once or twice he glanced, half
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.
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 queer medley in his
brain several nights later when he
again sought Gertrude. He had mad
fancy that he could better crystalline
his plans II he we're in her presence
and could hear her voice. Since temp
itation had beset him he, had existed in
"a daze, thinking, planning, always
planning.
His eyes we're feverish as he bent
toward the girl when conversation
Jagged. Gertrude" he asked, huskily,
would you give up Evans-would you
marry me II had money-and could
give you things?"
Startled, she looked at him and then
she smiled, the half sad, tender smile
women give those for whom they care
in spite of all.
But you'll never have money
Louis" she told him. you are not one
of the kind of men who get rich"
Brewer saw only the smile. 81 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 haggard
face.
NO" she almost whispered, mo, be
cause If you came to me with a for
tune in your hands, Louis, I'd know
that you hadn't got it honestly"
AS Brewer gazed into her eyes hi
felt helplessly that they saw far dowr
into the secret recesses of his soul
were reading the blackness of tn,
thoughts there. He felt that she wa
shrinking from him in a dawning hor
iror. His face dropped into his hands
It was as from distance that h,
heard her breathe his name. Louis,
she said, haltingly. 81 don't under
stand Why should you so misjudg