The Washington times., 1911-02-01
CHAPTER XXVI.-(Continued)


Lillian Drew looked amused. That
worked once-but it wont work twice.
Arrest me for blackmail and there'n
be trial, and the truth about Morton
will come out. You told me five years
ago you didn't care If the truth did
now She laughed. Please send for
a policeman"
He was helpless. and his face
showed it.
But don't take it so hard. You
scared me out of town; but I've got
nothing against you. l really like
you; I'm sorry it's you I'm troubling.
I've got to have money-that's all"
There was an instant of faint re-
gret in her face-but only an instant.
Yes, I've got you. But I haven't
showed all my cards yet. Mebbe. you'll
keep me still about Phil Morton, who's
been dead for five years. All right!
yourself"
David looked at her blankIy.
You don't understand? I'll talk
palmer, then. I've been doing a little
putting one and one together; You
didn't take that five thousand from
the Mission. Phil Morton didn't have
a cent of his own-he told me that
when he was half crazy with trying to
beg off-he said l was driving him to
crime. He took that money, and got
know why, you said you took 1T, and
went to prison"
Wonderment succeeded to hardness
and sarcasm. You're queer fellow
she said, slowly. why did you do it?"
Go on!''
81 don't understand it-youre a queer
lot!-but know you've got your reason
for wanting to make the world think it
was you that took the money and not
Phil Morton. And know it's mighty
strong reason, tOo-strong enough to
make you willing TO go to prison and
keep still while people are calling you
thief. WeII-and here's my ace or
trumps, mister: If yo don't hand out
the cash, I'll tell that you didn't take
the money!
David sank slowly into Kate Morgans
chair, and gazed stunned at the woman,
whose looks grew more and more trium-
phant as she noted the effect of her
card His mind comprehended her
threat only by degrees, but at last its
significance was plain to him.
If he didn't pay her, she would clear
his name. He must pay her money to
retain his guilt.
II guess I'll get the money-don't you
Think" she asked
He did not answer. Temptation
closed around him. Temptation coming
in its present form would have been
stronger in his darker days, but even
now 1t was mighty in its strength. This
woman could clear him-would clear
money-almost none. He had merely to
say 'no"-that was all.
In these first dazed moments he really
did not know which was the voice OF
temptation and which was the voice OF
right One voice said. ITO refuse will
he to destroy hundreds of people" And
the other voice said, ITO pay blaCkmail
is wrong Desire took advantage of
this moral disagreement to order his
reply.
.lon a
"Oh. yes you will" she returned con-
fidently
II shall not!-not a cent? he said,
with wild exultation.
You know whatll happen II you
don't?"
YES. You'll tell And right-tell!"
She studied his flushed face and ex-
cited eyes. You're in earnest?"
Don't look it, I shall not pay you
a cent! Understand? Not>a cent?
He had risen, and she now rose, too.
'Oh, you'll pay something she said
with a note of coaXing. I'm no: as
high as 1 once was. Fifty dollars
would help me a lot
Not a cent"
''Twenty-five?"
Not a cent. I said"
We'll, you'll wish YOU had" she said
Vindictively, and turned and walked
out of the office.
He dropped back into his chair. So
he was going to be righted before the
world at last, Vivid. thrilling dreams
flashed through his brain-dreams of
honor. of success, of love, Then, slow
ly. his mind began to clear; he began
10 see the other results Of Lillian
Drew's disclosure. His five years would
have been uselesslv spent-lost. And
the people of the Mission-quick visions
pictured the consequences to them.
He sprang up. holding fast to just
one idea among all that confused his
brain. He must stick to his old plan
the people must keep Morton. He
must find Lillian Drew and silence her.
But where find her? He had not slSed
for her address, he had not even watch
ed which direction she had gone.
Perhaps even now she might be telling
some one.
He seized his hat and hurried from
the room. AS he came out upon the
sidewalk, a tall woman who had been
standing across the street. started over
TO meet him. At sight of her he stop
ped and gave a great sigh of relief.
You're looking for me, aren't your"
she asked.
YES"
"I knew you'd be changing your
mind. so I waited" she said, with a
smile of triumph. ct knew you'd pay!'
CHAPTER XVII.
T LILLIAN DREW. as she had said,
H. was not as high as she once was;