Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-02


us have an end of this fencing; let me
be quite candid with you. | do know
where that vanity bag Isl where the po-
lice will find it. worse luck-n Mr.. Rim
ington's possession. But I know more
where Rinington put the jewel that you
entrusted to his keeping
THAT entrusted? What 10 YOU mean"
There was almost an appeal for mercy
in Betty's startled tone. SAKE made
gesture of his eloquent hands as though
he repudated it,
"a Can Save You"
In plain English, Miss Betty. | mean
that you, like the foolish, maddened girl
you were. probably hardly knowing what
you did. like many another before you
yielded to an impulse of your necessity
and stole a beautiful jewel-a world
NOUS jewel that could never mpossi-
profit you because of the sheer impossi
bilty Of ever getting rid of it. Riming
ton, to whom you gave the stone, resliz
ing the danger you ran. the uncomfort-
able notoriety Of the stone, was guilty Of
an action almost idiotic as your theft
instead of comfortably leaving the ruby
behind him in the house in Tempest
street he carried it off. and the next
morning, in melodramatc fashion, flung It
into the Thames"
SAKE broke off impatiently and crossed
the room to her side.
do you understand what his action
meant he demanded. almost peremptor-
lily There is no need to go into tech
ncdl details and mouth long phrases
about the compromising of felones and
the ike 1t simply means that-the fact
of his disposal Of the stone being known
for good or III. you and he stand to-
| gether If you go to the police. as you
| fooishly suggest going, you simply place
yourself under an inquistion which not
| TO mention the scandal such an action
would create. the ruin it would mean to
your sister and yoursef-will very speed
| lily draw sufficient evidence from you to
incriminate your lover
"Why do you say this to me-" the girl
broke out wildly. almost as though the
words had been drawn from her in spite
of herself by the look in his strange eyes.
because want you to understand this,
Miss Betty-that can save you by a
word-that can hang him by word. t.,
who know Just what happened in Tempest
street that night in those fifteen minutes
before Rimineton entered the house-n
those appalling five minutes after the
lights went out in that room of death-can
strkeor torbear to strike-at price"
"Yes?' The whispered word was a
question. not an affirmation. SAKE saw
that Bettys face. white before. was ashen
now; that her lips trembled.
"You came today to ask for my help.
Betty" he said. and there was something
in his tone tina hurt her as an undesired
caress wOhid have hurt her. Il am will
ing to give it-but you must pay for 1t.
| Already you are in my debt you and your
sister-more deeply than YOU guess. She
hasn't spoken to you OF the hush money
she received the morning after you re-
turned home? If | keep my promise if
! save this man who is arrested to-
day as only I can save him I shall require
my quid pro quo. l do not pretend to
! be a philanthropst You're not a child.
Betty; you must know what II is.
He bent. his face toward her. and the
girl recoiled with a little cry of disgust.
j SAKE gave short laugh
Il must want YOU for my wife very
badly Betty. to withhold my hand after
the insult that your eyes have flung at
me every moment YOU have been in this
ROOM. he said But ! do need you
need you so badly that | must proffer a
further argument still"
He leaned toward her and whispered a
sentence in her ear
Betty drew back with sharp cry. her
white, appalled, face quiverng.
Once or twice her colorless lips moved,
but no sound issued from them Then
III you complete your bargain, If you
do what YOU say" she said, hoarseIy Il
will pay your price.
Her voice broke. she bowed her head
on her bands and burst into a tempest of
tears