News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-11-11

the grounds of business. Bob went tc
her and took her hand.
Jane, we've got company tonight
You can't guess who"
Company" she asked incredulous'
ly. "As late as this. Indeed, can't
guess Who?"
Dick"
"Dick?" she echoed. "Here? Where p
Eyes, he's here now. Up in the den."
"Tll call him." she exclaimed with
real enthusiasm.
mo, let me-" Bob suggested. "He
may have put up for the night there
by this time. I'll see."
With foot on the stairs he turned.
"Mr. Brand and I have been discuss
ing some more business, Jane, and this
time want you to know about it from
the start-as a partner. And I think
YOU had better hear Mr.. Brands side
of it now"
He was half way up the stairs. He
stopped and looked significantly at the
millionaire.
"If must talk to Mrs Reynolds, to-
morrow will do" Brand said. tits late
and she must be tired. So am l."
But Reynolds only kept backing up
the steps.
mo-" he said emphatically. "To-
night"
Brand was eager to evade the issue
and gain time for further persuasion
or compromise. He realized that Rey-
nolds, in his present state of mind,
would accept no pacification other
than his full demand and he knew, too,
that his own bulldog attack had failed.
He must either pay the money or be
placed in a perilous predicament, and
Reynolds retreat at this juncture had
established a cul de sac from which
there was only one escape. He turned,
therefore, to Jane as to last resort.
Lets be seated, Mrs. Reynolds"
he said as he approached, her face por-
traying now unconcealcd alarm.
what has happened" she asked
excitedly.
Nothing irreparable, Mrs. Rey-
nolds," the millionaire answered suave-
~, "but your husband is in frame
CT mind-I might say a mental condi-
ton that makes it impossible for me
to appeal to him either by argument
or straight statement of facts. He is
in a bad hole, and now, when he's
driven into a corner through his own
nsinine blu2dering, he's not only
turned traitor to you and me, but he's
a drunkard besides"
Mr. Brandt" Jane exclaimed, turn
ing red with indignation and Ealing
with apprehension at the sudden
of his words.
ooh, don't mean that alone" he |
answered, indicating the half emptied !
bottle. Its his brain that's drunk. |
20 matter in what direction he turns
les intoxicated. He has lost his per-
'pective; his sense of proportion. He |
angles everything he goes into and |
low he has ruined this opportunity / |
,ave him. He won't listen to me. May |
)e he will to you. But whatever hap |
)ens," he added in patronizing way, |
I want to save you out of the crash.
don't want to see him take you along
With him."
Take me with him." she said in |
azed tones. What do you mean? oh, |
lease don't mince words, Mr.. Brand.
ell me what has happened"
well, them" he answered almost
efiantly, your husband is broke"
"Broke!" Jane exclaimed, rising and
mixing back as suddenly to the divan.
You mean he's bankrupt? Penniless?"
Eyes, fat He's been gambling in
he street without my advice and to-
ay he went little too far-decidedly
90 far" he added, as he thought of
he overdraft that would have to come
ut of his own pocket. More than
hat, Mrs. Reynolds, he's been drink
1g hard and doing things that man
} likely to do under such circum-
tances. I'm surprised you haven't
cen it,"
81 have seen it," Jane acknowl-
dyed weakly, but / don't think it
vas as bad as you picture it. Bob isn't
baby and don't like to dictate to him
n such things. He's been away a good
cal. know, but he told me it was for
usiness reasons. Perhaps-perhaps,"
he faltered, Il have been away good
eal myself"
Nonsense" the millionaire replied
"You haven't been out
ny more than Mrs. Brand has and l
aven't got intoxicated or gone broke.
reynolds hasn't any excuse. And it
sn't what he has told you, but what
e has not told you. He hasn't in
Ormed you, has he, that he overdrew
is bank account for $10,OOO-after the
ank had notified him that his account
ias closed?
Don't misunderstood that state
lent, Mrs. Reynolds. You asked me
OF to mince words. l haven't. Your
usband has committed felony and now
hen Jail is staring him in the face he
leans to commit another one by at
empting to blackman me out Of $780,
90"
mir. Brandt" she cried with blood
ushiug to her cheeks 81 will not SIT |