Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-03-17
Copyright A. c. McClurg & Co.. l9l4)
CHAPTER XXI.
The COLLAPSE.


Mrs. Brand did not leave the car
for she did not know her husband hat
gone to the Reynolds home. He hat
merely pleaded a business engage
ment as his excuse for leaving the
party. for he thought that to say ht
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 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 IL she had
chosen the exact moment of it, for
Brands truculent tactics had driven
her husband to desperation and the I'M
written law that prevents attack when
one Is in the others home would have
held good no longer
Reynolds recovered himself suffi-
ciently to smile a welcome and inquire
why Mrs. Brand had not accompanied
Jane in.
she certainly would have come if
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, can't
guess. Who!"
Dick"
Dick" she echoed. Here? Where?"
Yes, he's here now. Up In the den."
--4"Ill call him." she exclaimed with
real enthusiasm
mo. let me-" Bob suggested. HE
may have put up for the night there
by this time. I'll 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 it from
the start-as partner And 1 think
you had better hear Mr. Brands side
of 1t 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 pacifcation 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 last resort.
Lets be seated, Mrs. Reynolds"
he said as he approached, her face por-
traying now unconcealed alarm.
What has happened?" she asked
Nothing irreparable, Mrs. Rey-
nolds," the millionaire answered suave-
ly, but your husband Is in frame
Of mind-I might say mental condi-
ton that makes 1t impossible for me
to appeal to him either by argument
Or straight statement of facts. He is
In bad hole, and now, when he's
driven into a corner through his own
asinine laundering, he's not only
turned traitor to you and me, but he's
4 drunkard besides"
mr.. Brandt" Jane exclaimed, turn
ing red with indignation and paling
With apprehension at the sudden
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
he's intoxicated. He has lost his per-
,pective; his sense of proportion. He '
angles everything he goes into and !
low he has ruined this opportunity l
rave him. He won't listen to me. May .
20 he will to you. But whatever hap
,sns," he added In patronizing way
7 want to save you out Of the crash. /