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

took the slender stem OF the glass be-
tween his fingers, lifted II and drank.
He set It down empty. From his out
side pocket he drew a handkerchief
and delicately dried his lips. He
alone Of his confedeTates had life. It
was because he alone understood.
Prison wasn't staring him IN the face
Just yet. well, Arthur, ed top, how
goes il? Nearly got your noney-bags,
didn't WEI And We surely would have
but for this delicious vintage"
Damn you and your wine!" roared
the Major, shaking with rage. This
adventure had been no Joke 10 him, no
craving for excitement. He wanted
the gold, the gold. With what would
have been his share he could have
ganbled ct Monte Carlo end Ostend-
till the end Of his dcys. For the first
time he saw long, black bars Of iron
running up and down window. And
all for bottle Of wine!
Damn away, old SPORT" Ryanne
reached for the bottle and filed his
glass again. 'Percival, I'm blamed
sorry about that olive.tree Of yours"
He waved his hand toward the bags.
You can see that my intentions in
regard to refunding that hundred
pounds were strictly honorable. Now,
what's on the ticket?"
81 suppose your luggage is outside
IN the automobiles"
'Right-0!"
well, l need not explain my rea.
sons; you will understand them; but
| am going to give you all two hours
time. Then ! shall notify the police.
You will have to take your chance
after that time"
The circling faces frightened per.
ceptibly. Two hours-that would car.
ry them far into Jersey.
Accepted with thanks" said Ry.
anne.
81 refuse to permit IT." yelled the
brother. "Mr. Jones, you will rue this
nights work. | shall see that the law
looks into your actions. This is fel-
ony. demand to be allowed to tele-
phone"
"Percival, for heavens sake, let
him!" cried Ryanne YEARLY. "Let
him shout; II will soften his voice.
He will hurt nobody. The wires were
cut hours ago."
Mortimer felt the tense muscles in
his grasp relax. Arthur Wadsworth
grew limp and reeled against the iamb
Of the door.
you had better start at once
George advised. "You three first,
with a nod toward Wallace (his bull
bous nose now lavender in hue), the
butler and the first-man. Forward
march. front door. Go on"
What about me?" asked Ryanne.
an a moment" George could mo-
but admire the man, rascal though h
was. There was pang Of regret IL
his heart as the thought came ant
went swiftly: what a comrade thiI
man would have made under differen
circumstances! Too late! Halt" b,
cried. The trio marching toward tn.
door came to a stop, their head
turned inquiringly. Here, Mr.. Nor
timer; take one Of these guns ant
cover the Major. He's the one
doubt" Then George followed tn,
others into the hall and ironicall!
babe them God-speed as he openet
the door for them. They went GU
stupidly; the wine had dulled them
George Immediately returned to tn
library.
Neither Fortune nor her mother hal
stirred in all this time. A quality o
hypnotism held them in bondage. Tn
mother could not lower her glanc
and the daughter would not If Their
was a light Of triumph in Fortune
eyes, II YVES unconsciously there. An
no one will know the full bitterness
: that shone from the mothers. sh
could have screamed with fury; sh
. could have rent her clothes, torn he
skin, pulled her hair; and yet she sa
there without physical sign of tn
tempest.
On her side, Fortune knew, that ha
there been a single gesture invitin
pity, she must have flown to her mott
er's side. But there was no sigl
Finally, Fortune stepped back, chilled
1t was all too late.
Fortune" said George, terribly en-
barrassed, do you wish to speak
your mother, alone?"
% mo" 1t was little word, spoke
in little, hushed tone.
Mrs. Chedsoye rose and proceede
to put on her furs, which she ha
flung across the back of her chair.
Mother" This came in a gas
from the elder Wadsworth. An unde
standing of this strange proceedin
began to filter through his mind. Tn
young girls mother!
Mrs. Chedsoye drew on her glove
slowly. She offered them to the Nj
jOr to button. He flung the HAND
aside. He was not nice under the v
neer. But Ryanne was instantly /
her service. And curiously st
watched his agile fingers at work ovt
the buttons; they were perfect
steady. Then, followed by the MajC
lonI h. nII~ad 49,.