Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-02-03

Take me with him." she said in
dazed tones. What do you mean? oh,
please don't mince words, Mr.. Brand.
Tell me what has happened.
We'll, then" he answered almost
defiantly, your husband is broke"
"Broke!" Jane exclaimed, rising and
sinking back as suddenly to the divan.
You mean he's bankrupt? Penniless ?"
Yes, fiat. He's been gambling in
the street without my advice and to-
day he went little too far-decidedly
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 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
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 l
haven't got intoxicated or gone broke.
Reynolds hasn't any excuse. And it
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 $40, 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. l 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 blackmal 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 100000 |
that was saved on the cement for the
dam and that l 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
that partner should
know. l am not through, Mrs. Rey-
nolds. want to state my side of 1t.
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. l gave your husband $40,-
300 in good faith and he accepted 1t
as such. Perhaps If he had asked for
one hundred thousand at that time,
would have granted the request. but
lot now when he demands 1t under
luress. You can tell him that. guess
hats your end Of the partnership, &C
,ording to his view. That is all. We
ire losing good Sleep"
Then l won't keep you any longer"
answered Jane with dignity. Some
hing of her old mastery and deter
had returned. She arose and
leld out her hand. She shuddered
lightly as he took it, and regretted
hat she offered it. The man who had {
'randed her husband as a criminal,
My smiled and stepped toward the
Oor.
II am sorry" he said condescending- s
y as he turned. &
Reynolds appeared suddenly on a {
anding of the stairs.
Good night, Brand" he said. 8
Through with your chat?" I
quite through, think"
I'll see you in the morning. then"
The millionaire looked up, his hand t
n the knob of the door.
Yes, you can see me In the morn q
lg," he answered, "and your wife can '
I'll you for just how much. Good a
light" :
He slammed the door behind him as 9
Q went out and Bob moved slowly v
own the stairs and crossed to his
ife's side.
Jane" he began, you may think it 8
range that left you with Brand at t
lis time to hear from him the things g
Q no doubt has told you. Don't con- Il
smn me too quickly. Our talk this
7ening was not a success. l have 9
Id my cards on the table and he has
retended to. But he doesn't play the Il
anne that way. He has said one thing a
me and has probably said another d