The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1915-03-19
cl1APTER XXI.
Ths Collapse.

- 70 Aht AoyuotAh upmu. Ete uh2
mmAEsly pleaded o business engage
anmma ~ his excuse for leaving the
mAxsg. for he thought that 10 say be,
w4z going TO see Reynolds would haya
Nssmpted more than cursory inquiries
Asum both the young women. A soon
o. Jaus was out Of the machine the
9Aaaxfreur turned and spurted towards
ne Brands house. 20 he was out OF
ell BY the time the door had been
eoeaed for her and she saw Brand
m1fhin.
asr entrance could not have been
snoxv accurately timed II she had
ekossa the exact moment Of Il for
nxand's truculent tactics had driven
Asw husband 10 desperation and the IN.
written law that prevents attack when
sass is In the others home would have
m@ad good no longer.
Reynolds recovered himself sun.
~Asatiy 10 smile q welcome and inquire
way Mira. Brand had not accompanied
Zane in. '"'.
"Hhe certainly would have come II
enc had known Mr. Brand was here"
AAa wife answered.
Fine stood regarding the two men In
O quizzical way. scarcely concealing
ths surprise she felt after Brands
rather unconventional leave taking on
csa grounds OF business. Bob went TO
Aar and took her hand.
lane, we've got company tonight
Yea can't guess who"
Company" she asked incredulous-
~. As late as this. Indeed. | can't
xn@as. WhoI
Dick"
"Dickf" she echoed. Here. Where,"
Yes. he's here now Up In the den"
III call him." she exclaimed with
real enthusiasm.
mo. let mo-" Bob suggested. "He
may have put up for tho night there
~ this time, III see
with foot on the stairs he turned
Mr. Brand and have been discuss
ing some more business, Jane. and this
ume want you to know about II from
the start--as partner. And think
you had better hear Mr. Brands side
nj n now"
He was half way up the stairs He
stopped and looked significantly at the
millionaire.
IF must talk to Mrs Reynolds. to-
snorrow will do" Brand said Its late
sad she must DO tired so am l."
But Reynolds only kept backing up
o. steps.
NO." he said emphatlcally. TO
mkUht."
nrand was eager 10 evade the issue
umd gain time for further persuasion
CT compromise. He realised that Rey.
sssas. In his present state OF mind.
vsah accept no psoincation other
Nan his full demand and he knew. too.
stAaa his own bulldog attack had failed.
lse unust either pay the money or be
yancsd In . perilous predicament, and
h~Unolds' retreat at this juncture had
DeAblished . cul Dc sac from which
q tAsrs was only one escape He turned.
therefore, to Jane ~ TO a last resort.
Lets be seated. Mrs. Reynolds.
- said ~ he approached. her face por,
txaying now unconcealed alarm.
what has happened" she asked
sxcitedly.
Nothing irreparable, Mrs. Rey-
aaids." the millionaire answered suave-
n, ~but your husband Ia In a frame
~ mlnd--l might say mental condi
tom that makes II impossible for me
~ appeal to him either by argumer.
O. . straight statement OF facts. He Is
On n bad hole, and now. when he's
1riven into corner through his own
sainine laundering. he's not only
tnrued traitor TO you and me. but he's
q drunkard besides
Mr., Brandt Jane exclaimed. turn.
ing red with indignation and palsng
with apprehension at the sudden
Arutality OF HE words
oh. l don't mean that alone" he
Answered. indicating the half emptied
Asttle. "its his brain that's drunk.
No matter In what direction he turns
Ass intoxicated. He has lost his per.
serctive: his sense OF proportion. He
sAngles everything he goes into and
scv he has ruined this opportunity
uAvs him. He won't listen 10 me- May.
- be will TO you. But whatever hap
D~rn," he added IA a patroniIinS way,
= want to save you out Of tho crash
Z dont want to zee him take you along
WITH him"
Take me with him." she said In
dAsed tones, What do you mean! Oh.
pssAse don't mince words, Mr. Brand.
Tell ma what has happened"
we'll. then" he answered almost
AnsAan,ly, your husband 10 broks."
-Brohsl" Jane exclaimed. rising and
waking back a. suddenly to the divan.
rcu mean he's bankrupt Penniless -
Yes. fat Hes been gambling Ia
xAe street without my advice and to
&Ay he went little too tar.--decidealy
Emo far" he sdded. as no thousht Of
% oyerdraft that would have 10 come
sct Of his own pocket, More than
shat. Mrs, Reynolds, he's been drink.
nag hard and doing things that a nan
~ nkely to do under such circurn,
*seSnces. I'm surprised you haven't
sunar u