Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-02-28

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 raecally card-sharper brother,
that migrate who called himself Ry-
anne, and three unknown men. The
impudence Of it; the damnable inso-
lence of it! And there they were,
toasting their success in 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 yell
low notes: riches! Twenty bags and
as many packets Of currency; 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 pretenses 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 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 once 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 surprise! He saw
the automobiles. They were leaving
that night. If he acted at all, it 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 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 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.
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
3 reformed. She needed no further en-.
7 lightenment.
:. Are you going back there?" she
9 asked.
: YES, dear; must. Mr.. Mortimer
! will go with me-
"And II"
mo, heart O. mine; you've got tc
stay here"
IF you do not take me with you
you will not find me here when you re
turn"
g my child" began Mortimer sooth
e ingly, you must not talk like that
g There will be danger"
Then notify the police, and let the
r danger rest upon their shoulders" she
g said, her jaws set squarely. ri
II can't call in the police" replied
e George, miserable.
t Shall l tell you why?",
Dearest, can't you understand tha
d it Is you am thinking Off"
S 81 am determined. If / do not gc
e with you. you shall never see m'
n again. My mother is there!"
T. Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretched
s out a hand, but the girl did not SCI
e 1t. Her mother; her own flesh ant
II blood! Oh, the poor child!
/! Come. then," said George, in de
s. spair. But you are hurting me, For
t tune"
e Forgive me, but must go will
y you. / must!"
" Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Morti
y mer. Well wait for Wadsworth
# Will you please telephone him? In
It afraid / couldn't talk steadily enough
h Explain nothing save that 1t concerns
It his bank"
George sat down. Not during thos,
e early days of the journey across tn
l. desert had he felt SO pitiably veal
IT and inefficient.
Q Fortune paced the room. her arm
d folded tightly across her breast
e Strange. there was neither fear no