Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-03-14

S~AA SSoN y
known in the pages Of metropolitan
crime. There was Mrs. Chedsoye, in
trusively handsome as ever: there
was her rascally c~ard-sharper brother,
that migrate who called himself Ry.
anne, and three unknown men. The
impotence Of 1t; the damnable inso.
lence OF 1t! And there they were,
toasting their success in q brace Of
his own vintage-champagne! But the
Vine was, after all. inconsequential. 1t
was what he saw upon the floor that
caught him by the throat. His knees
weakened, but he held on grimly to
his perch.
White bags Of gold, soiled bags Of
gold, and neat packs Of green and vel.
low notes: riches! Twenty bags and
as many packets Of currency; a mil.
lion, not a penny under that! George
was seized with a horrible desire to
yell with laughter. He felt the each
innations bubble in his throat. He
swallowed violently and gnawed his
lips. They had got into his house un.
der false p~retenses and had tunneled
back into the Merchant Mechanic
Bank, Of which Horace's brother was
president and in which he, George p.
A. Jones, always carried a large pri.
waite balance! II was the joke of
the century.
As quietly as he possibly could, he
stepped down from his uncertain
perch. In the fine fury that followed
his amazement, his one thought was
to summon the police at once, to con-
front the wretches in their villainy;
but nee outside in the street, he
cooled. Instantly he saw the trial in
court. Fortune as witness against her
own mother. That was horrible and
not to be thought Of. But what could
he do? He vas shaken to his soul.
The stupendous audacity Of such a
plan! To have worked out every de-
tail, down to the altering Of the key
hole to prevent surprise! He saw
the automobiles. They were leaving
that night. If he acted at all, 1t must
be within an hour; in less than that
time they would be loading the cars.
His mind began to rid itself OF its
confusion. Without the aid Of the
police; and presently he saw the way
to do It.
He was off at a dog-trot, upon the
balls Of his feet, silently. Within five
minutes he was mounting the steps
to the Mortimer home, and in another
minute was inside. The others saw d.
rectly that something serious had hap
pened.
What's the trouble, George? House
v~anished?" asked Mortimer.
Have you got a brace of revolv-
ers?" said George quietly.
Two automatics. But
Give them to me-" less evenly in
tone. will you call up Arthur Wads-
worth, president Of the Merchandise
chanic Bank"
"The bank?"
Yes, the bank. You know, It is
Just In the rear Of my house"
Here Fortune came forward. All
the bright color was gone from her
cheeks; the old mask Of despair had
reformed. She needed no further en-
lightenment.
Are you going back there?" she
Eyes, dear; I must. Mr.. Mortimer
VIII go with me-"
And /"
No, heart O. mine; you've got to
stay here"
IF you do not take me with you,
you will not find me here when you re-
my child" began Mortimer sooth-
you must not talk like that.
There will be danger"
Then notify the police, and let the
danger rest upon their shoulders" she
her jaws set squarely.
Il can't call in the police" replied
George, miserable.
Shall tell you why?"
Dearest, can't you understand that
It ia you I am thinking of"
Il am determined. II / do not 20
with you, you shall never see me
again. My mother Is there!"
Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretched
out a 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
Forgive me, but I must go with
you. l must!"
Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Morti.
ner. Well wait for Wadsworth.
Will you please telephone him? I'm
couldn't talk steadily enough.
Explain nothing save that 1t concerns
ais bank"
George sat down. Noe during those
days Of the journey across the
lesert had he felt 80 pitiably weak
md inefficient.
Fortune paced the room, her arms
'olded tightly across her breast.
there was neither fear nor
pain in her heart, only a wild wrath.