Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-11-22

Berry Stood Waiting, Throbblng ~
element. her overweight condition
suggested a cause less gradual, more
| like a shock He ran over in his
mind the advantages Of giving her the
money. Nothing would be jeOpardized
by it. 1t would simply be an advance
made on II sum they had agreed
upon.
Fifty thousands too much" he
said slowly. But I'll be square TO
you and I'll split the difference and
give you twenty-five. I'll give you the
check now and you can take 1t and go
tonight"
She shook her head obstinately.
at won't do" she said. What diff
ference does It make to you whether
YOU give it TO me now or next year?
I'll give you a receipt for it. There
won't be any trouble about it. It's as
broad as it's long. It's simply an ad'
vance on the main sum
He looked modify at her and then
down. Her demand seemed reason
able enough, but he distrusted her
IF you don't believe me-" she in
sisted. send out that clerk of yours
20 buy my ticket to New York. Tel
him to go up to the fiat and he'll see
nv trunks all packed and ready.
tell you you've beaten me. You anC
Mrs. Ryan are one too many for me.
He again looked at her. his lips
pressed together. his eye coldly con
sidering.
"I'Il give you thirty thousand dol
lars and it's understood that you're
to leave the city tonight"
She demurred. but with less SHOW
of vigor, and, for a space they bag
gled over the sum TIL they finall.
agreed upon thirty-five thousand dol
lars.
AS the old man drew the check sh'
watched him with avid eagerness, re
straining by force the hand that trem
bled In its anxiety to become pos
sessed of the slip Of paper. He nc
ticed as she bent over the desk Il
sign the receipt, that her fingers SHOOT
so they could hardly direct the pen
She remarked it herself, setting !
down to her upset nerves, and laugh
ing at the sprawling signature.
With the check in her hand sh
rose. something of the airy buoyanc,
of demeanor that had marked her oil
her entrance returning to her.
We'll" she said. opening her purse
this is the real beginning of our bus
ness relations. Il feel as If We wer
partners"
The old man gave a short. DIR,
laugh. He could not rid his mind o
suspicious of her and the whole pre-
ceedings, though he did not see jus
how she could be deceiving him.
Wait till next year" he said
when | see the divorce papers II
feel a lot surer of the partnership"
She snapped the clasp of her purse
laughing and moving to the door. Sh
was wild to get away, to escape iron
the dark room that held such unpleas
ant memories, and the old man. who's
steely penetrating eye. fastened Of
her. was full of unsatisfied query.
well, so long," she cried. openin
the door, Next time We meet it vii
be more sociable, l hope. We reall
ought to be old friends by this time.
She hardly knew what she was say
ing. but she laughed with a natura
gaiety, and in the doorway turne
and bowed her jaunty good-bys t
him. He stood back and nodded goot
humoredly at her. his face shown
I puzzlement under its slight, ironi
smile
Once in the street her demeano
/ again changed. Her step becam
, sharp and quick, her expression keer
ly absorbed and concentrated.
clock showed her that it was nearl
half-past ten, and she walked. with
speed that was as rapid a mode c
progression as it could be withou
attracting attention. to the great ban
on which the check was drawn. o
the way down on the car she ha
, thought out all her movements. jus
| what she would do, and where sh
would 60 Her mind was as clear. he
movements as systematic as thong
she we're moved by mechanism.
| She ran up the steps to the ban
| and presented the check at the payin
tellers window.
I'm one-thousand dollar bills. If 20
please" she said. trying not to spea
, | breathlessly, "all but five hundred
and you can give me that il ope-hur
! dreds."
, The man knew her. made som
, vaguely-polite remark. and took tn
| slip of paper back into unseen regions
Berry stood waiting. throbbing fyor