Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-04-17

boat, he would have come home a
week too late; he would have missed
being a spectator (already an inno-
cent contributor) to one of the most
daring and ingenious bank-robberies
known in the pages Of metropolitan
crime. There was Mrs. Chedsoye, In
trusively handsome as ever; there
was her rascally card-sharper brother,
that migrate who called himself Ry-
anne, and three unknown men. The
%impudence Of 1t; the damnable inso-
lence of it! And there they were,
toasting their in a brace OF
his own vintage-champagne! But the
wine 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 I'M
der false pretenses and had tunneled
back into the Northumberland
Bank, of which Horace's brother was
president and in which he, George P.
A. Jones, always carried a large pri-
| vate balance! 1t 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 ono 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 was 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 surprises! 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 1t.
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.
whats the trouble, George? House
vanished?" asked Mortimer.
Have you got a brace Of revolv-
ers?" said George quietly.
1.-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"
Eyes, the bank. You know, 1t 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
asked.
Eyes, dear; 1 must. Mr.. Mortimer
will go with me-"
"And II"
mo, heart O. mine; you've got te
stay here"
"If 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 tn,
danger rest upon their shoulders" shi
} said, her jaws set squarely.
Il can't call in the police" replied
George, miserable.
t Shall l tell you why?"
Dearest, can't you understand tina
1t Is you l am thinking OFF,
. II am determined. II l do not g,
3 with you, you shall never see m,
4 again. My mother is there!"
Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretche,
s out a hand, but the girl did not se
II. Her mother; her own flesh an,
blood! Oh, the poor child!
Come, them" said George, in Dc
SPAR. But you are hurting me, Fol
I tune"
9 Forgive me, but I must go wit
you. / mustl"
v "Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Mort
mer. Well wait for wadsworti
VIII you please telephone him2 II
afraid l couldn't talk steadily enough
b Explain nothing save that 1t concern
his bank"
George sat down. Not during thos
Q early days Of the journey across tn
1 desert had he felt 10 pitiably wea
It and inefficient.
e Fortune paced the room, her arm
l. folded tightly across her breas
& Strange. there was neither fear nc
d Lnaie IN her heart. only q Wild wratl
|. them all-Rranting. of course. som