The Detroit times., 1913-01-16
CHAPTER IN.
GontinHed.

the Judge himself was burdened wit
debt He might go TO Mr.. Linscott
ne might even try North. He couiI
tell the latter the whole Circumstance
and borrow a part of what was lef
Of his small fortune; of course he wa
IA his debt as IL was, but North woult
never think OF that; he was a man L
share his last dollar with friend
He passed q shaking hand across hi
eyes. On every side the nightmare o
bie obligations confronted him, fo
who was there that he could owe
whom did he not already owe? Ill
was notorious for his inability to pay
his debts. This notoriety was hurt
ing his professional standing, and now
n Gilmore carried out his threat ne
must look forward TO the shame or a
public exposure His very reputation
for common honesty was at stake.
He wondered what men did in a
crisis such as this. He wondered
what happened to them when they
could do nothing more. Usually ne
was fertile In expedients, but today
his brain seemed wholly inert he
realized only a certain dull terror OF
the future; the present eluded him u1
tefly.
He had never been prescriptions
perhaps, he had always taken what ne
pleased to call long chances. and II
was In almost imperceptible graoa-
lions that he had descended In the
scale of honesty to the point that haa
At last made possible these forgeries.
Until now he had always felt certain
OF himself and of his future; ume
was to bring him into the presence
OF his dear desires when he should
have money to lift the burden OF debt,
money to waste, money TO scatter
money to spend for the good things
Of life.
But he had made the fatal mistake
s OF anticipating the success in which
he SO firmly believed. Those notes
Ia dashed his hand before his face:
suddenly the air Of the room seemed
10 stifie him, courage and cunning had
left him: there was only North 10
whom he could turn for a few hun
dreds with which to quiet Gilmore.
Let him but escape the consequences
or his folly this time and he prom
ised himself he would retrench; he
would live within his income, he would
apply himself to his profession as he
had never yet applied himself. he
scowled heavily at Gilmore, who met
hts scowl with q cynical smile.
well, what are you going to dor
he queried.
But Langham did not answer at
or,ce He had turned and was looking
from the window. II was showing now
very hard, the twilight, under the
edges Of torn gray clouds was creep
fnK over the square; he could barely
see the pickering lights In Archibald
McBride's dingy shopwindows.
"Give me chance, Andy" he said
at last appealingly.
ITO the end of the month, not DAY
more" asserted Gilmore.
'sWhere am to get such sum In
thai time? You know I can't do IL.
Don't ask me, but turn TO and get
IL. Marsh. That's your only hope. :.
ssBy the first of the year perhaps
urged Langham.
mo, get rid of the notion that am
going to let up on you, for an :;
I'm going to squat on your trail until
the moneys In my hand; otherwise
know damn well I won't ever see
cent of Il: / amt your only creoltor,
but the one who hounds you haruest
will see his money first, and got you
where want yous an
II can't raise the moneysp~hat VIII
you gain by running mey demanueu
I.anoham. He wished TO impress tnls
On Gilmore, and then he would pro
nose as a compromise the few nun.
dreds it would be possible to borrow
nom North
.-ro get square with you, marsh
y ,-rtlI he worth something, and frankly
/ amt sure that ever expected 10 see
arv OF that money, but as long as you
etr,od NV friend I was disposed 10 DC
easy on you"
Il am still your friend"
.Just about $3.50. but you won
keep Moxlow-
II can't"
.-Then can't see where your friend
ship comes In" Gilmore Quur1eo nie
chair.
wait. Andyi" said LAngham has
thy. 49, r
mo use OF any more talk. MARSH
< want INV money! Go dig II up.
~Suppose, by straining every nerve,
can raise I'VE hundred dollars ~
z the end OF the month
.Oh. pay your grocer with thatl
Iangham choked down his rage
lyon haven't always been 30 con
fannptuous OF such sums"
rim feeling proud today, Marsh.
I'm going to treat myself TO few
nifs. and you can pat yourself on the
back when you've dug up the money
BY the end OF the month"; You'll have
Acne something TO feel proud OF, TOO.
s-suppose we say thousand, urseo
Iangham-
-Good old Marshi II you keep OF
raising yourself like this you'll soor
ret 20 figure where We can Talk puS
inessi. Gilmore laughed.
-Pprhaps can raise thousand aol
1arr. don't know why l should thlnl
can. but I'm willing TO try; I'm VIII
lne to say I'll try
Gilmore shook his head.
-I've told you what you got TO 90
Marsh. and mean every damn wore
ray-understand that7 I'm going u
have my money or I'm going TO have
the fun of smashing you"
f'Iisten TO me, Andy" began Lang
ham desperately.
.rWhy take me into your con
f f,dence7'' asked the gambler coldly.
what will you gain by running me?
repeated Langham hereby.
r'he gambler only grinned.
Il am always willing to spend none
son nv pleasures: and besides whe
these notes turn up, your father 9