Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-03-19

too far" he added, as he thought Of
the overdraft that would have to come
out of his own pocket. More than
that, Mrs. Reynolds, he's been drink
ing hard and doing things that a man
Is likely to do under such circum-
stances. I'm surprised you haven't
seen it,"
Il have seen it," Jane acknowl-
edged weakly. but l don't think it
was as bad as you picture it. Bob isn't
a baby and don't like to dictate to him
in such things. He's been away a good
deal. know, but he told me it was for
business reasons. Perhaps-perhaps."
she faltered, Il have been away a good
deal myself"
Nonsense" the millionaire replied
impatiently. You haven't been out
any more than Mrs. Brand has and
haven't got intoxicated or gone broke.
Reynolds hasn't any excuse. And 1t
isn't what he has told you, but what
he has not told you. He hasn't in
formed you, has he. that he overdrew
his bank account for 10,000-after the
bank had notified him that his account
was closed?
Don't misunderstood that state
ment. Mrs. Reynolds. You asked me
not to mince words. haven't. Your
husband has committed felony and now
when Jail is staring him in the face he
means to commit another one by at
tempting to blackmail me out of $780,
600"
mr.. Brandt" she cried with blood
rushing to her cheeks, Il will not sit
here and listen to such words. They
are not true"
Aren't they?" he interrupted in
turn. Then perhaps you'd better ask
your husband. But that's just what
he demanded Of me tonight. He says
he is entitled to half Of the $2OO, 900
that was saved on the cement for the
dam and that I have given him only
forty thousand. He demands the other
sixty or VOWS he'll tell everything
Now is that blackmail. or is it not?"
Jane had no reply. The sudden
force of Brands attack had left her in
ert.
I'm not talking this way to you OF
my own volition." he said. Your hus-
band desired that tell you everything
everything that partner should
know. ] am not through, Mrs. Rey-
nolds. / want to state my side Of it.
Here 1t is: For your sake, and for
yours alone. and because of Mrs.
Brands fondness for you, I'll square
this thing at the bank But that is all
| will do. gave your husband $4O,-
600 in good faith and he accepted 1t
as such. Perhaps if he had asked for
one hundred thousand at that time. I
would have granted the request. but
not now when he demands it under
duress. You can tell him that. guess
that's your end of the partnership, &C.
cording to his view. That is all. We
are losing good sleep"
Then ! won't keep you any longer"
answered Jane with dignity. Some
thing OF her old mastery and deter
mination had returned. She arose and
held out her hand. She shuddered
slightly as he took it. and regretted
that she offered it. The man who had
branded her husband as a criminal
only smiled and stepped toward the
door,
II am sorry" he said condescending.
ly as he turned.
Reynolds appeared suddenly on
landing of the stairs.
Good night. Brand" he said.
Through with your chat?'
Quite through. | think"
III see you in the morning, then"
The millionaire looked up, his hand
on the knob of the door.
Yes. you can see me in the morn
ing" he answered, 'and your wife can
tell you for just how much. Good
night
He slammed the door behind him A
he went out and Bob moved slowly
down the stairs and crossed 10 his
wifes side.
Jane" he began. you may think IL
strange that / left you with Brand ar
this time to hear from him the things
he no doubt has told you. Don't con-
denim me too quickly. Our talk this
evening was not success. | have