Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-10
CHAPTER XIV Continued.

prove TO you tndC can De HoHoIdpio'
that I am honorable, even now. l am
going to pay the Todds back, I am, in
deed, whether l marry John or not.
II you would only trust mel
II do trust you, dear
And to prive it, he told her all that
Patterson had told him the day be-
fore. and as he talked, she withdrew
her hand from his and gazed straight
before her, sitting very still and only
nodding now and then to show that
she was following what he said. AT
first. he thought she had lost interest,
but the tenderness of her slim young
body beliad that and he grew eloquent
AZ he proceeded and realized that she
was. on the contrary, listening eager.
" to every word, his warm-hearted
Irish Molly!
$50 you see, il I can make him out
another check which he can cash in
Brockton, that win get him out OF the
country. want to help him. Molly
for he once did me q good turn.
"Once?' questioned the girl fear
fully. when, Joe? I did not know
that you had ever met him before he
came here" ,
"The first day he came, dear" AL
Rernon fastened to reassure her'
"The day after we turned him back
from Canada. He was mighty kind 10
me-"
Molly nodded again and then she
laughed, low throaty laugh that end
ed III something that sounded terribly
like a sob. All the world was bad,
bad bad, rotten to the core. Here was
Joe her Joe, whom she had thought
Young and innocent and sweet and
clean. Just careless happy-go-lucky
how proving himself forger before
he had met her. His story about Pat
terson was merely made UP on the
emar9ency of the occasion to hide MS
own guilt from her, while he was en-
tirely ignorant as to who patterson
was. It was all 50 clear now. his past.
He had forged, been discovered ano
fed to the country. Then he mad
come upon her and the baking Eliza
beth and the rest had followed just
as he had wanted it to. No wonder
he was willing to forge another cheek
for her when she had asked him TO!
He was probably a professional thief,
her Joe! God! And what was she
herself ~ She wanted to cry, and at
the thought of his putting his guilt on
Patterson, on Algernon Van Rensselaer,
Todd one OF those who were born
above financial temptation, one OF
those who could not understand, she
was filled with a wild desire to laugh
at the farce of it all. She clasped
her hands around her knees and gazed
stonily out to sea. Rotten, rotten, all
tho world was rotten. Those that
seemed good were only so because
thew had never been tried, had never
suffered.
Algrnon chuckled. "That was funny
the way we turned him back" he ad'
mitted, thinking that was why she
laughed. "But can have the book
dear?"
"This-er- Patterson. is that his
real manner" she asked indifferently.
eyes" declared Algernon firmly.
''Yes, 1t ID, dear"
HE forged, you say?'
Eyes. That is why he has to get
out Of the country quickly" .
"As you and I may have to"
sneered Molly.
Algernon looked at her puzzled.
Don't say that, dear. Trust me and
T."
She shrugged. II don't trust any
man. Joe. I'm q cynic, If you like
But all the worlds rotten
mot you, dear"
Don't say that, Joe. You know 1t
ISN'T so. why don't you let this-er-
Patterson forge his own checks =
Algernon flushed In the dark. i
don't know" he stammered.
Molly laughed angrily, pitifully.
"Oh, Joe, you are dear, adorable, an
innocent foolish child"
Algernon was irritated. II suppose
you think me more Of fool than
ever" he muttered.
" do" she insisted. "You have
brought It on yourself, Joe.'
II have, have II" He turned and
caught her two hands, forcing them
down by her sides gently, but firmly,
his eyes looking straight into hers.
Call me that once again, my lady,
and shall kiss you on your mouth
and knock old Hancock of the rocks
the next time he comes
ri won't ever again. she promised
Let me go, please"
She became quiet, apparently pom
dering the situation and Algernon
lighted another cigarette and tried to
concentrate his mind upon the ques.
ton of why Patterson shouldn't do the
forging, but all he could think of was
how sweet she was and like baby in
the feecy shawl she had around her
shoulders.
"Joe,' said she soberly, after mo-
ment. this making out checks is
serious business. Let Patterson make
out his own"
II shall, DEAR" said Algernon feeb
ly. But must have the book so he
can have a blank check
"You promise. Joe, If give you the
book, that you will not forge another
check? ! must take care OF you until
you can take care of yourself
"Ah," said Algernon, Il said II you
called me that again"
But l didn't" she protested.
1T was the same as if you had"
"No, no, joe" she laughed Honest.
II. think you are wonderful. But>tell