Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-02-03
Copyright A, c. McCiurg & Co.. lsl4)
CHAPTER XXI.
The Collapse.

The Collapse.
Mrs Brand did not leave the car
for she did not know her husband had
gone to the Reynolds home. He had
merely pleaded a business engage
ment as his excuse for leaving the
party, for he thought that to say he
was going to see Reynolds would have
prompted more than cursory inquiries
from both the young women. AS soon
as Jane was out of the machine the
chauffeur turned and spurted towards
the Brands house. SO he was out of
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 IT, 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-
GENTLY to smile welcome and inquire
why Mrs. Brand had not accompanied
Jane in.
She certainly would have come II
she had known Mr. Brand was here"
his wife answered
She stood regarding the two men in
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. las late as this Indeed, cant
guess. Who?"
Dick"
"Dick?" she echoed Here? Where?"
Yes, he's here now. Up in the den"
I'll call him." she exclaimed with
real enthusiasm.
mo, let me-" Bob suggested "He
may have put up for the night there
by this time. III see."
With 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 partner. And l 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. Its late
and she must be tired So am l."
But Reynolds only kept backing up
the steps
NO" he said emphatically 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 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 perilous predicament, and
retreat at this juncture had
cul de sac from which
there was only one escape. He turned,
therefore, to Jane as to a last resort
Lets be seated, Mrs. Reynolds"
be said as he approached, her face por-
traying now unconcealed alarm.
What has happened?" she asked
Nothing irreparable, Mrs. Rey-
1olds," the millionaire answered suave-
y, "but your husband Is in frame
If mind-I might say a mental condi- '
ion that makes 1t impossible for me
% appeal to him either by argument !
,r straight statement Of facts. He Is
n bad hole, and now, when he's
iriven into corner through his own
lsinine laundering, he's not only I
;urned traitor to you and me, but he's
/ drunkard besides"
"Mr. Brandt" Jane exclaimed, turn. {
ng red with indignation and paling
With apprehension at the sudden
Of his words.
"Oh. don't mean that alone" he
indicating the half emptied
,ottle. Its his brain that's drunk {
70 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 I
low he has ruined this opportunity
ave him. He won't listen to me- May +,
70 he will to you. But whatever hap |
ems" he added in patronizing way,
I want to save you out Of the crash. I