Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-04-25

O to prevent SURPRISED! He saw
the automobiles. They we're leaving
that night. If 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 1t.
He was off at a dog-trot, upon the
balls OF his feet, silently. Within five
minutes he was mounting the steps
10 the Mortimer home, and in another
minute was inside. The others saw d.
rectly that something serious had hap
pened.
Whats the trouble, George? House
vanished?" asked Mortimer.
Have o got a brace of revolv-
ers?" said George quietly.
Two automatics. But I"
Give them to me-" less evenly in
tone. "Wil you call up Arthur Wads-
, worth, president Of the Merchandise
chanic Bank?"
THE bank?"
Yes. the bank. You know, it 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; l must. MI. Mortimer
will go with me"
And II"
NO, heart O. mine; you've got to
stay here"
IF you DO not take me with you.
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
George. miserable.
Shall l tell you why?"
Dearest, can't you understand that
it is you l am thinking Of"
II am determined. If 1 do-not 70
with you. you shall never see me
again. My mother is there!"
Tragedy. Mrs. Mortimer stretched
out a hand, but the girl did not see
it. Her mother; her own flesh and
blood! Oh, the pool child!
Come. them" said George, in de-
spair. Slut you are hurting me, For
tune"
Forgive me, but l must go with
you. I must!"
Get me the revolvers, Mr.. Morti-
mer. Well wait for Wadsworth.
Will you please telephone him? I'm
afraid l couldn't talk steadily enough.
Explain nothing save that it concerns
his bank"
George sat down. c-ot during those
early days of the journey across the
desert had he felt so pitiably weak
and inefficient.
Fortune paced the room, her arms
folded tightly across her breast.
Strange, there was neither. fear nor
pain in her heart, only a wild wrath.
When Mortimer returned from the
telephone, saying that Wadsworth
would be right over. he asked George
to explain fully what was going on.
1t was rather a long story. George
managed to get through it with a CO
herency understandable, but no more.
George inspected the revolvers care
fully to see II they were loaded,
The bell rang, and Arthur Wads-
worth came In. Mortimer knew him;
George did not. He drew his interest
as 1t fell due and deposited it in an
other bank. That was the extent OF
his relations with Arthur wadsworth.
president Of the Mechanic
Bank Of New York.
Arthur was small, thin, blond like
his brother, but the hair was so light
upon the top of his head that he gave
one the impression that he was bald.
His ayes looked out from behind half
shut lids; his cheeks were cadaver-
Gus; his pale lips met in a straight,
line. There was not the
slightest resemblance between the
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