Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-08-16

us tne excitement OF Getting II and
Coming Away Unscathed."
And want excitement; I crave 1t as
you men crave your tobacco"
And there We are, Kate. It really
isn't the gold; it's the excitement Of
getting It and coming away unscathed.
II could only get you to look at all
sides of the affair! It's the Rubicon."
Il accept it as such. / am tired of
petty things. repeat, failure is not
possible. Have | not thought It out,
detail by detail, mapped out each line,
anticipated dangers by eliminating
them?"
"All but that one danger of which
We know nothing. You're a great
woman. Kate. You have, as you say,
made ninety-nine dangers out of a
hundred impossible. Let us keep an
eye out for that hundredth. Our pho
tographs have yet to grace the rogues'
gallery"
with one exception" Ryanne's
laughter was sardonic.
"Whose?" shot the major.
Mine. A round and youthful phiz,
a silky young mustache. But rest
easy; there's no likeness between that
and the original one | wear now"
You never told me be-
gan Mrs. Chedsoye.
There was never any need till now.
Eight years ago. Certain powers that
be worked toward my escape. But |
was never to return. You will recol.
lect that / have always remained this
side. Enough. What l did does not
matter. will say this much: my
crime was In being found out. One
venture into New York and out to sea
again: they. will not have a chance. |
doubt II any could recall the clrcum-
stances Of my meteoric career. You
will observe that | am keyed for any
thing. Let US get to work. 1t doesn't
matter, anyhow"
"You did not :" Mrs. Ched.
soye hesitated.
"Blood?" reading her thought. mo,
Gioconda; my hands are gulltless, at
least they were till his Bagdad affair;
and am not sure there. l. was a
trusted clerk; gambled; took
money that did not belong to me- And
here | am, room number EOS"
1T doesn't matter. Come, Kate;
don't stare at Hoddy as II he were
new species" The major smoothed
the ends Of his moustache. This con-
fession will be good for his soul"
Yes, Gloconda; l feel easier now.
| am heart and soul In this affair. /
need excitement. too. Lord, yes.
When went to Bagdad, l had no idea
that should ever lay eyes upon that
rug. But / did. And there's the
emeralds, too, major"
The major rubbed his hands pleas
urably. Yes, yes; the emeralds;
had not forgotten them. One hundred
lovely green stones, worth not q penny
under thirty thousand. A fine collec-
tion. But another idea has taken pos
session Of this teemlng brain OF mine.
Have you noticed how this fellow
Jones hovers about Fortune? He's
worth a million, II he's worth a cent.
/ am sure, in pure gratitude, she
would see to 1t that her loved ones
were well taken care of in their old
age"
Il am going to marry Fortune my
SELF" said Ryanne blandly.
Your" The major. was nonplussed.
Wallace shuffled his feet uneasily.
This blond companion Of his was al
ways showing kinks in his nature,
kinks that rarely ever Strengthened
out.
Yes. And why not! What is she
to either you or her mother! Moth
ing. Affection you have never given
her, being unable. It surprises you;
but, nevertheless. I love her. and /
am going to marry her"
Really" said Mrs. Chedsoye..
Even So"
you are fool. Horacei" with ris-
ing fury. So then. the child had not
;ibed her in a moment Of pique?
Men in love generally are, fools.
III ltIt 1871 Al - IN.