The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-06-27

yelope was discovered. Unless within
forty-eight hours that $4,000 is re-
ceived by his family the mortgage on
their home will be foreclosed and they
will be beggared-an invalid widow,
three helpless children and an old
blind grandfather"
within lorty-eight hours" pro
nounced Talbot, hoarsely,
AS / said"
1t will be paid
You promise that?"
YES; the policy is in favor of my
friend or his family. | will find a way
, to-pay it,"
Some one at that moment came into
} the outer room. The old man proceed
ed thither Bryce Talbot dropped his
/ head on his arms outstretched across
/ the table.
This, then, the appointed hour Of
| reckoning! A flashing memory Of the
royal kindness of his old friend, Sam
uel Isaacs, a recognition Of even the
| honor of the gambler who never
"welches" appealed to the mind Of
Talbot with convincing force.
TO pay the just debt, to provide for
five helpless but precious human lives
as against his selfish own. There was
the problem, and he did not finch.
1T must be done so no one will sus-
pect," he said to himself desperately.
At that moment he came erect with
shock. Suddenly from the living
apartments there echoed a wild, ring
ing feminine shrek. Then there was
metallic iangling, hurried light foot
steps, followed by heavier ones, and
then a girls frantic form filled the
doorway.
She bore in her hands a tray filled
to the brim with diamonds and other
gems. She tripped at the threshold,
showering the amazed Talbot Roll
ing in sparkling confusion all over the
room, the glittering cascade resembled
a libation poured in prodigal opulence
from a veritable cup Of Croesus.
The next instant two men, low
browed and desperate looking, crossed
the threshold. One of them held a re-
volver. He leveled it at the girl
In flash Talbot sprang before her.
There was a quick explosion, a ting
ling sensation at his breast, and he
sank back. He had sheltered the fly
ing girl from death, had received the
bullet intended for her.
1t was hours afterwards when Tai
bot opened his eyes to find himself re-
clining on a couch, the girl whose life
he had saved seated beside him. Near
at hand was the old pawnbroker.
you will not die, blessed be the
prophets!" he spoke solemnly, arising
and approaching the revived patient
Father! father!" cried the girl,
coming close to the couch, tell him!
tell him! Twice in a day he saved my
life. 1t was fate, so strange a happen
ing. Give him his happiness-now,
here. My friend" and with clasped
hands and swimming eyes she drew
more fully within the radius of the
room light, "do you not remember
me?"
Bryce Talbot gazed, smiled, nodded
weakly 1t was the girl he had res
cued at the street crossing.
But for you," spoke the old man,
my daughter would have been killed,
my jewels gone. She discovered the
burglars at my private safe. You
sprang before her. The surgeon says
you will be up and about in week,
but it was close Craze Meantime,
have informed the Isaacs family that
their mortgage will be paddy me-
AS to the contract-see!"
And old Jacob Meyer drew from his
pocket the death document, lifted it to
the flaming gas jet and watched it
crumble to ashes.
Copyright, 1913. by w, G. Chapman)