Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-04-05
American Sunday Monthly Magazine Section

give you I'LL TINS time tomorrow morning
to pay. If you don't pay then, why, to
Jail you go. I've done the best can
more than | ought, perhaps. AS your wife
is very i'll, there no danger of your running
away, Doctor Sedley assures me. SO I'll
let you go on your own reCognizanCe. Get
out and hustle!"
A thousand dollars Jack turned away,
left the courtroom. "Well, it's chance"
he reflected. "a hundred to one shot-but
they've been known to win. Maybe Shags
answer has been delayed somehow" He
went to pawnshop nearby, got hundred
ring. He sent dozen kilograms, including
telegraph office, a newsboy's hoarse horror
he was. He bought paper, swept the star
ing headlines about the wreck of the mid
night express. His eyes leaped to the list
of killed and injured There was the name
of Henry X. Reynolds only Pullman
passenger seriously injured, and he lying
unconscious in a hospital at Albany.
Jack Candless had long ceased to hope;
he now began to despair. But he braced
himself, lifted his head defantly. "Crowd
'em!" he muttered it was as good a battle
cry to die by as to live by. As if he still be-
lieved, he went the rounds of the hotels and
bar-rooms-not friend. He went back to
Olga, had lunch at her bedside, laughed and
joked with her, made her radiantly happy.
And I've been so worried about you, said
she. But now | know everything's COM
ing out all right. | can feel it in your voice. :"
Were on the top of the wave" Jack
assured her. How could it be otherwise
when we've got in the family such a mascot
as you?"
When she drowsed off under the medicine
he rushed away to resume his search. Not
a telegram; not a friend. Back to the
hotel, to his wife, to dine at her bedside and
carry on the farce that was doing her more
good than the doctors drugs could speedily
undo. When it was time for her to sleep,
he sauntered toward her dressing table
"You oughtn't to leave your rings about
this way" said he.
ooh, they're only trihes," replied she
I'm waiting for the jewels you said | was
to have as soon as business was little better.
I'm glad, Jack, you're in the real estate bust
ness It's SO nice and respectable"
Jack laughed Responsibility is my
long suit" said he. "IlI just take those
rings along for safekeeping'
Olga said nervously, with apology and
embarrassment in her voice you'll not
be out so very late tonight, will you? I'd
like to feel you were-in there"
"I'Il be back soon," he assured her
Don't you fret, child I'm just going to
take little air.
She settled contentedly -and he knew
that, once she yielded to sleep, she would
not soon awaken; the doctor had made
sure Of that. He dressed with the greatest
care, and issued forth immaculate. He
pawned her rings-got another two hun
bred. No friends; no kilograms. His total
capital was now few cents over four hun
dred and seventy-eight dollars. 1t could
BY eleven the next day, except in one way.
I" ANY game on to night?" he asked the
room clerk of the hotel.
"Fallon is having a little poker in his
rooms. But it's private"
"Ill send my card after awhile, perhaps"
said Jack.
He strolled down the street, the gay
thronged highway of the pleasure city,
stopped at a drug store and bought an ounce
of strychnine. He returned to the hotel,
went up to Fallon's room, knocked, faced
Fallons frown, with a wicked-eyed smile.
Nothing doing" said Faon.
"I'm coming in" said Jack and his
wicked eyes stopped smiling
Fallons gaze shifted. "Oh-very well,
was his sulen, reluctant answer He
added sourlv, 81 should think you'd be
spending your last night with your sick
wife"
"You would, would you?" said Jack with
his cool LIGHT laugh "Well that's not nv