Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-04-30

babe them God-speed as he opened
the door for them. They went out
stupidity; the wine had dulled them
George Immediately returned to the
library.
Neither Fortune nor her mother had
stirred in all this time. A quality OF
hypnotism held them in bondage. The
mother could not lower her glance
and the daughter would not. If there
was a light of triumph in Fortunes
eyes, it was unconsciously there. And
no one will know the full bitterness
that shone from the mothers. She
could have screamed with fury; she
could have rent her clothes, torn her
skin, pulled her hair; and yet she sat
there without physical sign of the
tempest.
On her side, Fortune knew, that, had
there been a single gesture inviting
pity, she must have flown to her moth.
er's side But there was no sign
Finally, Fortune stepped back, chilled
1t was all too late.
fortune" said George, terribly en-
barrassed, "do you wish to speak to
your mother, alone?"
'No." 1t was little word, spoken
in a little, hushed tone.
Mrs. Chedsoye rose and proceeded
to put on her furs, which she had
flung across the back of her chair.
'Mother!" This came in a gasp
from the elder Wadsworth. An under
standing of this strange proceeding
began to filter through his mind. The
young girls mother!
Mrs. Chedsoye drew on her gloves
slowly. She offered them to the Ma.
jor to button. He flung the hands
aside He was not nice under the We.
neer. But Ryanne was instantly at
her service. And curiously she
watched his agile fingers at work over
the buttons; they were perfectly
steady. Then, followed by the Major
and Ryanne, she walked easily toward
the hall. Ryanne paused.
Good night, Arthur. I'm sure you
will not sleep we'll. That handsome
safe is irreparably damaged. 1 dare
say you will find way to cover the
loss without any injury to your own
pocket. Old top, farewell! Who was
it, Brutus or Caesar. who said Z go
but to return'?" The banter left his
face and voice swiftly. "You sneak
ing BLACKBOARD, you cheater of wild
ows; yes, I shall come again; and
then look to your sleek, sanctimonious
neck! You chucked me down the road
to hell, and the pity of it is, some day
| must meet you there! Fortune,
child" his voice becoming sad, "you
might remember a poor beggar in
your prayers tonight Percival, a
farewell to you. We shall never meet
again. But wien you stand upon
that bally old rug there, you'll always
see me. the fire, the tents. the camels
and the desert, and the moon in the
date-palms. By-by!"
And presently they were gone. A
moment later those remaining could
hear the chug-chug of the motors as
to recover from the SPELL He rushed
for the hall, but George stopped him
rudely.
''Two hours, if you please. I never
break my word Your money is all
there. If you do not act reasonably,
I'll throw you down and sit on you
till the time is up. Sit down. l do
not propose that my future wife shall
appear in court as a witness against
her mother. Do you understand me
now?"
The banker signified that he did.
He sat down, rather subdued. Then
he got up nervously and inventoried
the steal. He counted roughly mil
lion. A million! He felt sick and
weak. 1t would have wrecked the
bank, wiped it out of existence. And
saved by the merest, the most trif1ing
chance! A bottle Of wine! He re-
sumed his chair and sat there won
deringly till the time-limit expired.
The public never heard how nearly
the MISUNDERSTANDING had gone to
the wall; nor how six policemen had
worked till dawn carrying back the
gold; nor that the banker had not
even thanked them for their labor.