Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-02

tndt IL, is lt!-yOu re u ROPER!
NO." said the invader of the presi-
Dental privacy calmly, speaking for
the first time since his coming. Il
am not a robber, save in your own
very limited definition Of the world.
am merely a poor man, Mr.. Gal
braith-one Of the uncounted thou
sands-and want money. II you call
for help, shall shoot you. 1t is
merely question of money, and If
you are amenable to reason"
IF Im-but I'm not amenable to
your reasons!" clustered the presi-
dent, recovering a little from the first
shock Of terrified astoundment. II re-
fuse to listen to them. I'll not have
anything to do with you. Go away!"
The young mans smile showed his
teeth, but 1t also proved that he was
not wholly devoid Of the sense of hu-
NOR.
Keep your temper, Mr. Galbraith,"
he advised coolly. THE moment Is
mine. and 1 say you shall listen first
and obey afterward otherwise you
die Which is 1t to be? Choose
quickly-time is precious"
The president yielded the first
point, that Of the receptive ear; but
grudgingly and as one under strict
compulsion.
well, we'll, then; out with it. What
have you to say for yourself?"
This: You are rich; you represent
the existing order Of things. / am
poor, and l stand for my necessity,
which is higher than any man-made
law or custom. You have more money
than you can possibly use in any le-
gitimate personal channels; l have
not the price Of the next meal, already
twenty-four hours overdue. / came
here this morning with my life in my
hand to invite you to share with me
a portion Of that which is yours chiefly
by the right Of possession. If you do
it, we'll and good; If not, there will
be new president Of the Bayou State
Security. Do make myself sufficient
ly explicit?"
| Andrew Galbraith glanced furtively
at the paper-weight clock on his desk.
1t was nearly eleven, and MacFarland
would surely come in on the stroke
of the hour. If he could only fend
off the catastrophe for a few minutes,
until help should come. He searched
in his pockets and drew forth a hand
full of coins.
The invader Of privacies glanced at
the clock in his turn and shook his
head
You are merely trying to gain time,
and you know it, Mr.. Galbraith. My
stake in this game Is much more than
a handful Of charity silver; and
don't do you the injustice to believe
that you hold your life so cheaply;
you who have so much money and,
at best, so few years to live"
The president put the little heap Of
coins on the desk, but he did not
abandon the struggle for delay.
Whats your price, them" he de-
manded, as one who may possibly con-
slider a compromise.
"One hundred thousand dollars-in
cash."
But man! ye're clean daft! Do ye
think I have"
In the midst of his vehement pro-
tests the stranger sprang out Of his
chair, stepped back a pace and raised
his weapon.
Mr.. Galbraith, you are Juggling
with your life! Write check while
there is yet time!"
The hammer Of the leveled pistol
clicked. Andrew Galbraith shut his
eyes and made a blind grasp for pen
and checkbook. His hands were shak-
ing as with a palsy, but the fear Of
death steadied them suddenly when he
came to write.
Endorse it," was the next COM
mand. The voices had ceased beyond
the partition. and the dead silence was
relieved only by the labored strokes
of the presidents pen and the tap-tap
Of the typewriter in the adjacent
anteroom.
The check was written and indorsed
and under the menace Of the revolver
Andrew Galbraith was trying to give
it to the robber But the robber would
not take it.
No, l don't want your paper; come
with me to your paying teller and get
me the money. Make what explanation
you see fit: but remember-if he hesi-
tates, you die"
They left the private office together.
the younger man a short half-step in
the rear with his pistol-bearing hand
thrust under his coat. The president
did not despair. In the public lobby
there would be eyes to see. and per-
haps some that would understand. Mr..
| Galbraith took firmer hold upon his
self possession and trusted that some
happy chance might yet intervene to
save him.
But chance did not intervene. There
was a goodly number of customers in
| the public space. but not one Of the
half-doZen or more who nodded to the
1
with him saw the eye-appeal which
was the only one he dared to make.
ON the short walk around to the pay
ing teller's window, the robber kept
even step with his victim, and try as
he would, Andrew Galbraith could not
summon the courage to forget the
pistol muZZle menacing him in its
| coat covered ambush.
At the paying wicket there was
only one customer. instead of the
group the president had hoped to find;
Il sweet faced young woman in mod
est travelling hat and gray coat She
was getting a draft cashed, and when
she saw them she would have stood
aside. 1t was the robber who antici-