The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-10
Hope 9 H E HE EA N
 From the Play by WILLIAM J. HURLBURT
By Jover' ejacuiated the old law

yer. trembitngly Pra abb1n1 the letter.
 ''Well. wait a minute" cried Tenn pie. hoyishly clutching him by the shoulder. "Let me explain first what a narrow escape we've had. Crane came across it just this morning in an old file. He was looking over Brady's shoulder. Brady. reading it. with an oath. tore it up. Then Crane told him somebody wanted him on the phone outside''-
 ''Go on; 20 on." exclaimed Craven, grinning de'ightedly.
 -''and when Brady went Crane grabbed the pieces. bless him. and hurried out of the office, never to re- turn again, I dare say"
 Hang 1t all, as if I cared what he d)es now?' Craven read aloud from the letter, fiercely exultant:
 Dear MT. Brady Grady himself. you see. TempleD-Your letter in regard to certifying check for sT00.Ooo to be drawn on Gotham Trust company received; also your proposition to writer noted''-
 Guess that's plain enough" laugh ed Temple.
 Craven, with a nod, pursued: of Temple refuses to certify an old [ .end's check l won't I'll accept your proposition. I will certify the check You are 10 make good with the funds by the 18th. and am to receive for said services the sum of $1000oo. Send the check in the morning and it will go through O. K. in spite of Temple. Very truly yours,
 ROBERT GRANGER
 ''Measly little villain! We've got him! We've got himr' cried Craven, with fierce gladness-
 ''What a fcoI, what a beastly little fool, he was to put that all down in writing" was Temples only comment.
 "Huh?'' said Craven refectively. "Oh, I don't know. Pretty slick, think. That agreement covered in writing. you see. did the job. made him sure of getting his money. Well. we won't need that information about the New York Central stock now, will we, old boy? The woman in the case and all other such little things are super fuities now. ehT'
 Sure they're super1uities," agreed Temple, smiling. There's no call to rub it in on the poor villain
 ''Temple, lock this gilt edged precious thing up at once," said Craven, hand ing him the letter. Cant take any chances with this. Your good name, your honor, is there, there. under standT'
 Temple crossed with the letter over to his big safe, then paused
 Hang my memory!' he said. elf I haven't forgotten the combination, as usualI Call Miss Dale"
 When Anna Granger entered. calm, businesslike as ever, neither of the men got a hint of the way in which her nerves were tingling nor of the volcano of emotion raging back of those quiet gray eyes.
 ''Awfully sorry to disturb you again, Miss Dale. but, you see. once more that pesky combination's clean escaped me. We must lock up this letter; it's of VI tai import"
 She bowed. not trusting herself to speak. and. walking over quietly, un- locked the safe. Temple put the let ter in and locked the safe himself.
 eve win. Miss Dale. we winT' he cried like a joyously excited boy. Then his voice became tender and grave. "I want to talk to you a little later." he said. twill you mind wait ing for me here? Come. Craven. Ester brooks man is outside and we have to sign some papers to, send down by him"
 When the door had closed behind the men Anna stood for a second stock still. the pupils of her eyes bIackening strangely. Of vital importance! Tem- ple's words rang in her ears. It prob ably meant her husbands freedom. her children's inheritance. Should she? Could she? Wasn't this just what she had come for? 'Tn get 1t for you, Robert" she said
 Throwing back her slender shoul- ders, as strong swimmer to breast the waves, she dropped on her knees be- side the safe and rapidly worked the combination. She drew out the let ter. Still kneeling. she raised it so that the light from the window fell across it.
 At first Roberts we'll known chirog- raphy danced so that she could not read his words. but all too soon the dancing steadied itself, and the words stared out in deadly lines of damning guilt
 Twice. thrice she read it, drawing her fingers sharply across her eyes as if to ward off the lightning. Then a gasping cry rent its way out from her very he-lrt.
 It was all so plain now! Her hus- band was not only a liar, but thief.
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