The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-01-04


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 it's
confusion. Without the aid of the
police: and presently he saw the way
to do 1t.
He was of at q dog-trot, upon the
balls Of his feet. silently. Within five
minutes he was mounting the atep.
to the Mortimer home. and in another
minute was inside. The others saw di.
rectly that something serious had hap.
pened.
whats the trouble, George? House
vanished?" asked Mortimer.
"Have you got 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"
1.-THE bank?"
Eyes, the bank. You know, it ie
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.
care you going back there?" she
asked.
Eyes, dear; I must. Mr.. Mortimer
will go with me-"
"And II"
mo, heart o mine; you've got to
stay here"
III you do not take me with you,
you will not find me here when you re.
turn"
MY child" began Mortimer sooth.
ingly, you must not talk like that.
There will be danger"
"Then notify the police, and let the
danger rest upon their shoulders" she
said. her jaws set squarely.
Il can't call in the police" replied
George, miserable.
"Shall tell you why?"
Dearest. can't you understand that
1T is you I am thinking OFF,"
Il am determined. If l do not 20
with you, you shall never see me
again. My mother is there!"
Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretched
out hand, but the girl did not see
1t. Her mother; her own flesh and
blood! Oh, the poor child!
Come. then" said George, in de.
spair. "But you are hurting me. For.
tune"
Forgive me. but must go with
you. l must!"'
! Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Morti.
mer. Well wait for Wadsworth.
Will you please telephone him? I'm
afraid I couldn't talk steadily enough
Explain nothing save that it concerns
his bank"
George sat down. Not during those
early days Of the journey across the
desert had he felt SO pitiably weak
and inefficient.
Fortune paced the room, her arms
folded tightly across her breast
Strange, there was neither fear MOI
pain in her heart, only wild wrath
When Mortimer returned from the
telephone, saying that Wadswortl
would be right over, he asked George
to explain fully what was going on
1t was rather a long story. George
managed to get through it with a co
herency understandable, but no more
George inspected the revolvers care
fully to see If they were loaded.
| The bell rang, and Arthur Wads
worth came in. Mortimer knew him;
George did not. He drew his interest
as it fell due and deposited it in an
other bank. That was the extent Of
his relations with Arthur Wadsworth
president of the Merchant-Mechan
Bank of New York.
Arthur was small, thin, blond like
his brother but the hair was so light
upon the top of his head that he gave
one the impression that he was bald
His eyes looked out from behind half
shut lids; his cheeks were cadaver
Gus; his pale lips met in straight
unpleasant line. There was not the
slightest resemblance between the
two brothers, either in their bodies
or in their souls. George recognized
this fact Immediately. He dislked the
man instinctively, just as he could
not help admiring his rogue OF 6
brother
Il want you to go with me to my
house at once" began George.
"Please explain"
George disliked the voice even more
than the man himself. Everything
will be explained there" he replied.
"This is very unusual" the banker
complained.
"You will fnd it so. Come
George moved toward the hall, the re
volvers in his coat.pocket.
"But I insist
"Mr. Wadsworth, everything will
be fully explained to you the moment
you enter my house. More shall not
tell you. You are at liberty to return
home."
ut concerns the bank?" The voice
bad something human in it now: 6
note of affection.