The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-09-18

drew John into the office and forced
him to sit down. And you two.
come"
Murchell seemed to come out of his
daze. He touched Hampden, who fol
lowed him docilely and fell into
chair.
Il seem to be the only one with
| trace of sanity left. And l." said Haig
grimly. hopping his brow with shak
ing hand, Il am pretty far gone. God.
l didn't know it could be so awful:
But we've got to decide whether We'll
let this-how and why it happened
come out. BY some miracle nobody
seems to have heard. Ii the luck holds
we may Ike able to keep it quiet He
looked ut Murchell.
But Il great change seemed to have
come over the politician during the
racking hour His face was ashen: he
looked old as he never had before
All the firm self reliance. the habit of
| domination justified through SO many
crises. seemed to have broken down in
| the presence of sudden. violent death.
| He shook his head in Il hopeless mega
tive.
There's no nse trying" he said wea
rily. IF you go ahead with this investi-
CATION" He turned to John. It's for
you to decide. If this is kept quiet and
you don't go on can save the bank
maybe. But If you do 20 On there'lI be
great scandal and I can do nothing
And-you've got to understand the sit
uation-you1l have to prosecute Hamp.
den here"
John did not answer He was star
ing at the face of Warren Blake
Haig mopped his forehead again
Lets get out of here he muttered
nervously. IF | stay much longer with
-that-I'll he a gibhering idiot"
He took the dead cashiers keys
from the desk, turned out the light
and went to the door. The others
followed
1t was we'll guarded.
New Chelsea had been long asleep.
the streets emptind, when Haiy and
Murchell. accompanied by the doctor
aud NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. holders in the
bank and frightened into secrecy
drove roundabout course by side
streets and alleys to the rear door
Of the bank. Like thieves. they entered
and carried what lay there out to the
carriage. Then they drove away. pray
ing that no untimely passerby had
Glanced to observe them
Rnt the luck held
Later still. with another picture-a
little. faded old woman become in an
instant foolishly smiling child burnt
into their memories. Haig and Muir
chell emerged from the home of War
rem Blake. Haig stopped. looking mp,
II wonder what John Dunmeade is
going through just now2 | can see
the end, The good have no luck
There's curse on the man responsible
for this night. Old man. do yon say
, am"n7 You and will have to discuss
the matter Of payment"
Tie caught the other by the shout
ders. pn"red closely into his face and
laughing harshly. turned away
, Through n night that seemed enf!les.
. a man fought battle old as sin itself
He had Sought the solitude Of the field
in a blind. vain wish to escape tn,
issue and the thing that filed his eyes
r He had come so near to greatness
: And now. ut an hour when he seemed
most to need stimulus and support. h,
was brought face to face with tn
. temptation to desert It was one thin:
in moment Of dishcartenment to cry
as he had cried to himself, II hay,
F., come to the end" It was far differen
when opportunity had come to reviv
, sinking cause to stay his hand. n