The Republican journal., 1914-05-21

investment in bonds. which ! made on
her account; that is all, explained Ham
bright suavely.
''You wiliNhave an opportunity to ex-
plain your mAlfeasance elsewhere soon,
sir, declared Bemis menacingly.
''Well, you need not threaten. Mr..
Bemis. You may have something to ex-
plain. l have been as careful OF Miss
Patterson's affairs as have of my own.
The bank accepted our Orc bonds as col
lateral for loans, and the money was in
vested in securities, which we tinanciers
believed would increase greatly in value.
l hoped to help the lady to affiuence IN
order to relieve her from the drudgery of
school teaching, and to enable her to en-
joy the Injuries of life, which she richly
deserves, Then she would have valued
nv friendship and been grateful and
kind. But luck has been against me.
A worldwide calamity has thwarted my
best-laid plans. have lost-money, es-
TEEN, friendship, hope, everything that
makes life worth living. l am victim
of circumstances, struggling in the octo-
pus arms of adversely. You may con-
denim me, but you can, also, show me
charity" I
The effect of this explanation was ap-
parent upon the listeners. Wendell re-
Taxed his fists; Bemis felt the speaker
was sincere, and Mary forgot her fear
and softened and almost smiled upon her
recent assailant.
"Oh,. you are not down and out yet,
Hambright. We will turn the trick on
the bears and recoup your losses before
Christmas" remarked Dyer. cheerily;
which speech relieved the strain of the
situation and restored the picnickers to
good feeling.
There was rustic in the budbes and
Fink appeared upon the scene, touched
Hambright on his shoulder and said.
''They wish to see you at the Contra"
"They do? Well, will call this after
noon," replied Hambright, with sang
froid.
81 would prefer you should go with
me, now"
''But have other engagements.
"My orders are to arrest you, Mr..
Hambright, and | hope you will not
make any trouble.
ARREST me? For whs..??'' asked he,
becoming pale and nervous.
"You can learn that at the station.
Come, Hambright, let US go and not
spoil the pleasant garden party"
mo, will not 60 now. Fink; it does
not suit me. l have much business to
attend to this afternoon"
The detective snapped hand-cuff over
the mans left wrist, but before he could
close the other part, Hambright tore
away and ran down a garden path with
Fink in hot pursuit. The friends stood
silent, and, listening to the racing men,
were startled by the sound of shot.
Fink has shot him" said Dyer conf.
IDENTIFY, which speech terrified everyone.
The detective appeared soon and beck
oned to DR.. Chapman, and they wen,
out of sight at the foot of the garden.
Frightened and distressed, the ladies
gathered the remnants and the utensils
of the picnic and entered the house, and
the gentlemen stood eXpectantly beneath
the trees and smoked, and talked in low
tones of the tragedy.
The doctor came with his finger on his
lips and whispered, ''Hambright is dead
shot himself through the mouth, and the
bullet passed out of the occipital protub
erance.
Shudders and horror affected the hear
ers, but Wendell remarked, Chapman
means that the bullet came out OF the
head through the bump just below the
bald spot.
They could not help smiling at this ex
PLANTATION and Bem1s added, "Joy. grief
and tragedy have made this birthday for
ever memorable"
TO BE CONTINUED.