The Tupelo journal., 1916-09-29

Gentleman Joe" Tells Gertrude He Is
Now Going Straight.
the country estate. Drake was watch
ing him, and, in a fever of agonized
remorse, was on the point of confess
ing everything, but the telephone bell
rang and Burton was summoned.
He left Gertrude's letter on the ia
BILE. Drake, hardly knowing what he
was doing, glanced at the handwrit-
ing, which, somehow, seemed famil-
lar. Then he read, and his better in
stincts were forthwith submerged.
If Gertrude was minded to be that
sort, why should he worry because her
favored sweetheart was robbed of a
few thousand dollars? But he could
not bear to meet Burton again, and
left some Gus with a servant as to
a pressing engagement.
Hence. he did not know that the
real estate agent, through whom his
employer was acquiring the country
property, had asked that the money
should be brought to his Office that
night to close the deal and thus fore
stall other negotiations. Burton re-
turned, took out the roll of bills, put
them in his pocket, closed the safe.
and went away in his car. After call
ing at the agents Office, he went on
to the Apthorp, which was really
MorCtti'S residence.
The girl was very pale and exceed
ingly Her talk was ram
bling, and she seemed ready to drop
in a faint. Indeed, Burton was so
alarmed at her condition that he
turned to search for some water.
At that instant, Gertrude braced
herself for a supreme effort. She tore
her blouse off one shoulder, let down
her hair, and screamed loudly. Her
astounded visitor had just turned on
his heel. when a door opened and Nor
etti ran in. The Italian held a re-
volver, and his ferocious expression
seemed to show that he would not
scruple to use the weapon if neces-
sary.
so I've caught you, you woman
s~tealer, you!" he shouted. But you
can't set away with this SORT of thing
here. Your nights work will cost
you dear"
John stared coolly both at him and
at the wild-eyed, misunderstanding
girl. Then he dropped his handker-
chief to the floor,
He had noticed that Moretti was
standing On a narrow rug, which
stretched to his own feet. STOPPING
as though to pick up the handker-
chief, John caught the corners Of the
rug and tugged violently. AS ne fore
saw, it slipped easily over the pol
ished floor and Moretti was thrown
so violently that his skull hit the floor
with a force which disposed of him
Cor the rest of the night.
Without a word to the ~cringing girl.
Burton went out. He drove home and
entered the house quietly. He was
thinking of going straight to his room,
when the sound of a pistol shot
brought him quickly to the library.
., IA lOuL0 Will
a revolver in his hand and a man
lying dead in front Of the open safe.
Burton faced Drake, and then the
whole truth came out. Drake made a
full confession. He told how he had
been tempted, and had fallen, how a
furious squabble had taken place
when Walleyed Bill discovered that
the safe was empty, and had accused
him OF having "double-crossed" him. I'M
the struggle that followed Drake had
shot Bill with the latter's gun! *,
He moved to the telephone and
called for the police. AS Drake heard
the fatal number. he shuddered and
burst out ~sobbing. knowing full well
how his record would go against him
when brought to trial.
But he could hardly believe his
W ears when he heard Burton saw at
the phone:
you had better send a man around
% my house. I've shot a burglar!"
a would have broken out into
q protestation of gratitude, but Burton
repulsed him.
Get out of my sight" he growled
scornfully. Il never want to see or
hear of you again."
The unhappy wretch skunk out of
tie DON and the unhappy man of
great wealth was left alone with a
corpse.
Truly, he might well ask himself:
is humanity in the grin of evi1 -.
fEND CT S.cQyD r,rSc--