Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-02

ing Il across 20 Mr. weaver. so that young
man. as secretary. could correctly transcribe
There being no discussion" continued
WallinRford after a reasonable wait. Il shall
Voce oC VSt Vote The secretary viii please call
the role. and those in favor of the motion
are called: contrary. no. Ready. Mr. weaver"
Mr.. Wallingford," read Mr.. Weaver
Professor Rannydal.' read Mr.. Weaver
Aye" voted Rannydal in loud and
Mr.. Kicks voted aye. Mr.. Weaver voted
aye, and the motion was unanimously car
ried. after which Mr.. Wallingtord. apparently
forgetting the other matters to which they
were TO proceed hustled that meeting through
20 an adjournment in short order and sent
Mr.. Weaver. whom he sent across the street
TO the hotel with note for Blackie Daw. in
over at once and bring an empty suitcase.
When Blackie came over he stopped aghast
at the sight OF ]. Rufus for the first time
an his life, inside the cashiers wicket of a
bank, and his own bank at that Blackie's
nrst operation was TO SCI down ms suitcase,
third to put the tail of his coat across his eyes
by way of black mask, his fourth to APP
proach the wicket very closely, hold up his
left hand as II 1t contained a dark lantern,
and huskily whisper:
Say. pal, who's runnin' the beat to-nightH"
Wallingford was sepulchral gravity itself
He turned upon Blackie a stern and for
bidding eye. Mr.. Weaverv' he called back
Mr. Weaver came forth from the vault. his
opaque blue eyes never blinking as he came
out of the darkness into the light.
Mr.. Weaver" Wallingford went on. this
Is my secretary. Mr., Daw; You two gentle-
men will kindly go into the vault and count
out forty-five thousand dollars in currency.
which you will pack in Mr.. DAVIS suitcase.
precaution to insure strict accuracy. Mr..
Weaver. you will md here my ninety-day
per cent and my Jinkinsville Bank stock
properly indorsed to be held with the note.
Mr.. Weaver you will please come back to the
Of the Sphinx. placing his hand over his
heart Later. when he came back into the
presidents office Juggling his well-hlled suit
out into the snow storm. and counting the
weather boarding of the frame livery stable
"Gentiemen. how did we get it9" Biackie
asked. setting down the suitcase and slip-
Wallingford turned to him rather tired
eyes. We didn't" he said 'The work is
all to do % af tSs yG: to % this
Bank in New York. Have IL there before the
doors open Monday morning: and inform the
positing currency to meet any possible drafts
Blackie. why. Jim. that only covers the
check you gave last night. don't see where
K
Neither do l." said wallingford impa-
tiently; but shall be sitting on the lid here.
in absolute control sr Sf cish little tS country
advantages, l. deserve to be shot We have
"AIl Fight, ]. Rufus" said Biackie with a
sigh. 'Tll get on this next train. and wire
ahead to the first county-seat to send plain
clothes man aboard and handcun me till I
get all this wealth into the G. & F."
Entirely unnecessary" returned Walling-
Qll-F0nnn
man. I wouldn't trust you with forty-five
thousand dollars farther than could reach
Violet Warden. ia trust you with it any
where in the Bertillon district"
confidence I thank YOU" declared Biackie
fervently. What do we do about expense
''Thats So" said wallingford. and he be-
gan to feel about the desk. TT wouldn't be
like ouirker not to have push-button here.
he said with conviction. and finally he found
one underneath the edge OF the writing
board.
Mr.. Weaver came in a hurry
Mr.. Weaver" directed wallingford quietly.
please bring me fve hundred In currency
and charge to my account"
Yes. sir" said Weaver.
VI
wallingford. alone in his room. and with
Blackie speeding his way TO New York.
sent for Pete. That worthy came to him in
n hurry, blear eyed and shaken. ct been up
said Pete. but didn't hear no noise and
didn't dast TO knock The other feller might
"a been burned fool. but he never scared
me none, and you do"
Accepting this tribute TO his power at its
mask. And I suppose you need drink to
taper on on, he guessed We'll. have two
Or. or three Left S.t ana he he poured out one & Of
benjamin F. ouirker?" he abruptly asked as
he handed over the glass
Hes all right" and he hastily swallowed
the life-saver lest II should be called back.
His action was only proof OF wallinsfords
Wen. I'm glad to know that" he said, as
He has sold thirty thousand dollars worth
OF property for cash in the past month. and
bought the bank OF him for forty-nvs thou
and ali the other money and Jumped on the
The effect upon Pete was electrical
II want my & hunneEd dollars" he suddenly
with the woman in Riehneid; that's what.
want my hunnerd dollars. Why. she was
and used to let old ouirker up and down
the back stairs SOS nobody would know. 1t
was on account o her that he had all the
field is an aetressy-loolEin' person and purity
a circus girl. but never liked her because
ouirker did. too. when he WAS with her. for
all that he was q leader in all good works.
old onirker s. Is l,Sr Si, and a cheAter. and 1
Your hundred is safe enough" said wal
lingford with a smile. a smile this time all
of peace ana happiness.
Slowly and methodically WAllingford pro-
ceeded TO pack. and for the nrst time in
weeks he whistled as he worked. Once In a
while he paused In the task OF cleaning up
Blackie's litter and his own TO throw back
his head and laugh. closing his eyes. shaking
his shoulders. and heaving his breast While
he was still at this work. Pete knocked at
his door.
"Theys a lady down in the nArIor to see
you" he announced.
"A isdyrs wallinEtors st--iEhtsnsd up IN