Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-11-01

SAID, her Jaws set squarely.
81 can't call in the police" replied
George, miserable.
Shall l tell you why"
Dearest, can't you understand that
1t Is you am thinking of"
Il am determined. If / do not 20
with you, you shall never see me
again. My mother is there!"
Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretched
out hand, but the girl did not see
It. Her mother; her own flesh and
blood! Oh, the poor child!
Come, then" said George, in de.
spair. But you are hurting me, For.
tune"
Forgive me, but l must 90 with
you. / must!"
Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Morti.
mer. Well wait for Wadsworth.
Will you please telephone him? I'm
afraid l couldn't talk steadily enough
Explain nothing save that it concerns
his bank"
George sat down. Not during those
early days of the journey across the
desert had he felt So pitiably weak
and inefficient.
Fortune paced the room, her arms
folded tightly across her breast
Strange, there was neither fear mol
pain in her heart, only a wild wrath
When Mortimer returned from the
telephone, saying that Wadswortt
would be right over, he asked George
to explain fully what was going on
1t was rather long story. George
managed to get through it with a co
herency understandable, but no more
George inspected the revolvers care
fully to see if they were loaded.
The bell rang, and Arthur Wads
worth came in. Mortimer knew him
George did not. He drew his interes
as it fell due and deposited 1t in an
other bank. That was the extent O
his relations with Arthur Wadsworth
president Of the Northumberland
Bank Of New York.
Arthur was small, thin, blond lik
his brother, but the hair was so lgh
upon the top Of his head that he CAV
one the impression that he was bald
His eyes looked out from behind hall
shut lids; his cheeks were cadavel
Gus; his pale lips met in a straight
unpleasant line. There was not tn
slightest resemblance between tn
two brothers, either in their bodie
or in their souls. George recognize
/ this fact Immediately. He disliked tn
man instinctively, just as he coul
not help admiring his rogue of
. brother.
: 81 want you to 90 with me to m
house at once" began George.
: please explain"
: George disliked the voice even NOR
= than the man himself. "Everythin
!, will be explained there" he replied.
This is very unusual" the banke
, complained.
t you will find it so. Come.
I George moved toward the hali.oth r,
S volvers in his cOat-pocket.
D "But l insist
"Mr. Wadsworth, everything wi
I be fully explained to you the momer
|. you enter my house. More l shall nc
| tell you. You are at liberty to retur
2 home"
. at concerns the bank?" The voiC
D had something human in it now;
b. note of affection.
q Arthur Wadsworth loved the ban
5 as a man loves his sweetheart, br
+ more explicitly as a miser loves til
4 hoard hidden in the stocking.
C at concerns the bank?" he repea
$ ed, torn by doubt.
George shrugged. Let us be g
|. ing"
I "Will it be necessary to call in Ii
police?"a
mo"
! 81 suppose, then" said Wadswort
4 bitterly, wondering, too, over IL
: strange arimosity of this young ma
! he did not know-'T suppose / mu
do just as you say?"o zoe
. Absolutely" Georges teeth can
= together with a click.
? The four of them, passed out Of Il
A house, each -singularly wrought vii
A. agitation. Fortune walked ahead wi
! George. Neither spoke. They eoo
. hear the occasional protest from Il
) banker into Mortimer's ear; bat Nc
!. timer did not open his lips. The
" came to the house, and then Geori
q whispered his final instructions
: WadsNorth. The latter, when he u
4 derstood what was taking place, b
! came wild with rage ana terror; al
: it was only because George threaten.
q to warn the eonspirators that he su
- sided.
"And," went on George. "if you
= not obey, you can get out of it Il
: best. you knowo how. Now, alepC
absolute silence"