Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-12-17
CHAPTER XXI.
The Collapse.

for she did not know her husband hat
gone to the Reynolds home. He hat
merely pleaded q business engage
1ment as his excuse for leaving the
party, for he thought that to say hi
was going TO see Reynolds would have
prompted more than cursory inquiries
from both the young women. AS soor
As Jane was out OF the machine the
chauffeur turned and spurted towards
the Brands house, so he was out oil
call by the time the door had been
opened for her and she saw Brand
within.
Her entrance could not have been
more accurately timed II she had
chosen the exact moment Of 1t, for
Brands truculent tactics had driven
her husband to desperation and the un'
written law that prevents attack when
one Is In the others home would have
held good no longer.
Reynolds recovered himself sufi-
ciently to smile welcome and inquire
why Mrs. Brand had not accompanied
Jane in.
''She certainly would have come II
she had known MIR. Brand was here. "
J.. his wife answered.
She stood regarding the two men In
n quizZical way. scarcely concealing
the surprise she felt after Brands
rather unconventional leave taking on
the grounds OF business. Bob went to
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?"
Yes. he's here now. Up in the den"
III call him." she exclaimed with
real enthusiasm.
NO. let me-" Bob suggested. "He
may have put up for the night there
by this time. I'll see."
With a foot on the stairs he turned.
Mr.. Brand and have been discuss
ing some more business. Jane, and this
time | want you to know about 1t from
the start-as q partner. And / 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.
III | must talk to Mrs Reynolds, to-
morrow will do" Brand said. It's late
and she must be tired. So am J."
But Reynolds only kept backing up
the steps.
No" he said emphat!cally. ITO.
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 paclfcation 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 cul de sac from which
there was only one escape. He turned,
therefore, TO Jane as to q last resort
Let's he seated, Mrs. Reynolds"
he said as he approached, her face por-
traying now unconcealed alarm.
What has happened" she asked
excitedly.
Nothing irreparable, Mrs. Rey.
:nolds," the millionaire answered suave-
ly, but your husband Is in q frame
of mind might say a mental condi.
ton that makes 1t impossible for me
TO appeal to him either by argument
ora straight statement OF facts. He is
in q bad hole. and now, when he's
driven into corner through his own
Jasmine laundering, he's not only
turned traitor to you and me, but he's
n drunkard besides"
Mr.. Brandt" Jane exclaimed, turn.
ing red with indignation and paling
with apprehension at the sudden
brutality of his words.
{ "oh, / don't mean that alone" he
Indicating the half emptied
bottle. Its. his brain that's drunk.
NO matter In what direction he turns
mes intoxicated. He has lost his per.
.spective; his sense OF proportion. He
-tangles everything he goes into and
now he has ruined this opportunity
7rave him. He won't listen to me. May.
be he viii to you. But whatever hap
mems" he added In patronizing way,
~ want to save you out Of the crash.
q don't want to see him take you along
with him"
: Take me with him." she said in
dszed tones. what do you mean? oh.
please don't .mlnce words, Mr.. Brand.
Tell me what has happened"
We'll, then" he answered almost
4iehantly, your husband is broke"
''Brokei" Jane exclaimed, rising and
sinking back as suddenly to the dlvan.
You mean he's bankrupt? Penniless?"
Yes, dat. He's been gambling In
che street without my advice and to /!
day he went little too far-decidedly
too far" he added. as he thought OF
the overdraft that would have to come
ont NJ HIS own nocket More than |