The Elbert County tribune., 1913-02-07

being spectator (already an inno-
cent contrtbutor) 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 success in a brace of
bis own vintage-champagnel But the
Vine 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 yel-
low notes: riches! Twenty bags and
as many packets OF currency. a mil
lion. not 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 gnawedl 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 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 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 surprised He saw
the automobiles. They were leaving
that night. II 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 It,
He was OF at a dog-trot, upon the
balls Of his feet. silently. Within FIVE
I 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.
What's the trouble. George? House
vanished?" asked Mortimer.
Have you got brace OF revolv-
ers?" said George quietly.
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?"
Yes, 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.
Yes. dear must. Mr.. Mortimer,
will go with me-"
"And II"
mo, heart O. mine; you've got to
stay here"
"If you do not take me with Won.
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 the
danger rest upon their shoulders" she
said. her jaws set squarely.
Il can't call in the police" replied
AGeorge. miserable.
Shall I tell you why?"
Dearest. can't you understand that
1t is you l am thinking Oft"
am determined. II do not 20
with you. you shall never see me
/ again. My mother is there!"
| Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretched
out hand, but the girl did not zee
1t. Her mother; her own flesh and
blood! Oh, the poor child!
Come. then," said George, in de-
spair. But you are hurting me. For
tune"
Forgive me- but I must go with
you. l mustl"
Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Morti-
mer Well wait for Wadsworth.
Will you please telephone him7 I'm
afraid couldn't talk steadily enough.
Explain nothing save that 1t concerns
his bank"
George sat down. Not during those
early days Of the journey across the
desert had he felt SO pitiably weak
and inefficient
1 Fortune paced the room. her arms
folded tightly across har breast