Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-06
CONTINUED From Yesterday

BOOKS TO slip BACK HIS pliferlnSS sum-
GENTLY to conceal the greater sum
missing. But tho final haul OF
$4,000 doomed too large for any
overlooking.
His step was iiSht. his greeting
normal to the clerk and elevator at
pendants as he went TO his apart
ment. Nobody would ever have sus-
pected him TO be the repository OF
single care He cody surveyed tho
coy nest where he had been SO happy
and SO miserable, the homo out of
which he had managed to make such
a botch.
Carefully, mcthodically, solicitous
not to disarray any of his wfc's toilet
articles. he placed the ugly automa-
tic among tho delicate pieces there,
then rummaScd Il piece of paper
from the draw and began his nose
of explanation.
dearest Flo, Iood-b!. There Was
No other Why to-"
Ho halted. How silly and incncere
that sounded. He cudsclled his
brains for the proper words TO convey
the real meaning Of such a parting
IT did not occur TO him that his
GOODNESS was that Of torpor lie
scratched the pen through his hair
an old habit--as though the action
would induce thought The tinklc Of
the phone in the living room brought
sharp explanation OF Impotence
from him as 1t insistently obtrudcd
upon his mental effort Reluctantly
he picked it UP, his voice cool and
collected. a slight smile parted his
lips as Field announced himself
Eyes, know" his lips moved
II have just closed your c. D. & E
with 100000 profit, Mr.. Drum. Is tina I
correct?"
quite correct" the teller quietly |
answered, then: Just send it to my |
apartment by Observation-Disclosures |
One hundred and sevcnty-hve thous- |
and dollars, ! believe.
lie hcaved a sigh Of relief. His
broker had sold instead Of bought and !
he was safe.
Then, Ike a lash II came. came |
with the click of the key in the lock |
of the door; came with the scent OF |
yiolets his wife affected. Through the
portieres he could see her brother ac- !
companied her. Their voices were |
lifted in angry controversy but he |
paid no attention TO the words. y
fresh panic had seized him as har-
rowing problem presented: how 10 get
the money into the vault before morn
ing?
Panic was upon him, paro1ysm
OF terror. His hands srasped the
por,ieres and he would have iung
1,
halted abruptly. Observation-Disclosures
u tell you. Flo. you've got to can
it, He's decent guy, this husband |
of yours. and I'm strong for him. l
wouldn't say word if ! didn't know
YOU were kidding yourself along. u
tell YOU it's getting loosely talked
about when a gambler like me hears
II, tell YOU it ain't possible for n ,
bank teller 10 live the way Drum
lives and support YOU the way you're
supported and .E~ on the up and up
He may have. sat. ~ up TO now-I
amt saying. But he can't get by
long with this stuff. tell you, and
know. tell you straight you're
making. YOU have made or you're
going to make thief outta Drum IL
you don't cut out the merry-merry
and beat II to the bushes quick"
~ thief Flos voice rose hysteri
cally. You've got nerve talking
about thieves. you have! You've got
nerve talkinr-a reformed bur
glar".
The eavesdropper felt something
catching In his Understanding
that racked his entire body.
II am d thief" He shouted, then
at his Wife's horrihed exclamation Of
protest: over and over again he re.
peated it: y am thief--a th!ef-a
thief"
The gamblers hand fell upon his
shoulder, the fingers biting To the
very bone. mis- voice sternly COM
handing as he brought the man out
OF his hystera.
What's the limit. Joe?" he de-
manded quietly.
1T isn't a limit" choked the teller.
I've got il all--in the next room. I
won Fred at the last minute
won it all hack. It's IN the next
room"
Then what's the kick
Drum Nfted his eyes to the imper-
soual ones of the gambler, Dropping
them quickly. swift nush OF shame
at what he WAS about to suggest mant-
ling his cheeks.
Whole hog or none. Joc--give II
to me straight. I'm your friend"
williams said.
~ can't get the money back-into
the vault. It's got 10 be there in m.
morning-first thing. The exam.
ner--you must get il back for me"
Williams drew away sharply a. m.
hidden request was made. \ quick
shudder of repulson shook MIN. bur
Flo's hand was upon his arm, her
beautiful face lifted appealngly to.
, ward his own. Silent. ashamed. real.
izing more and more the full mean
ing OF what he asked, Drum listened
!, watched that hard face eagerly
: marked each softenng line. sudden
: ly With an oath o! capitu!at!on, Fred
! Williams hunE himself away from
4 the woman.
Hand me the coin" he xra,.d
harshly. Hand 1t to me ou!ck--h..
j fore ] change ny mind" \ bitter
y grating laugh rhoked out O. him -
hA h.