The Washington herald., 1916-06-18

Maybe II has; maybe II hasn't" re-
pIed the plain-clothes man. 'I want 10
see man named Thomas Blake Of this
address" D.
Il am Thomas Blake" put in Tom.
hagsard with a sudden underlined dread.
What do you want?''
You needn't look so scared" ssid the
detective, grtnning. This amt a pinch.
It's good news for you. We got an alarm
from Boston last evenin' TO look out for
woman crook named Lizzie Reisen-
Light-Fingered Liz we call her. one of
our men just happened to nab her as she
was comm out Of Harding's joint We
found-this!"
Dramatically he pulled out long en-
velope addressed, in Toms own charzc-
teristic handwriting TO Thomas Blake
care Of Roger Lsmpson & Co., 81 Mar
ket street"
One end Of the envelope had been torn
open. The detective shook out Of IL a
sheaf Of seventeen nfty-dollar bills
we took this of her." he went on
an we gave her a taste Of the third
degree till she talked. She says you're
q friend OF hers an that you an her
was drinkin' together at Harding's last
night an abe lifted this from you before
you had chance 70 spend II on any one
else"
Five minutes later Roger IAnp.on
was saying with genuine sorrow In his
voice:
I'm not going 70 p-osecuts R1a,s,
But you're proved yourself not ouly a
thief but the most conscienceless liar
ever had the bad luck To NEE.
cannot employ you any LONGER. And
my sense Of fairness will force ne 70
warn any future employer ot yours
that you are dangerous crook"
T0-1 IL.
His heart was dead His splendid pros
poets, his chance Of employment his seI.-
respect all were gone. Nothing remained
Tor him In life. but Marjorie He must
go to her now-st once; tell her everv
thing and trust 70 her love TO make her
stand by him.
That was his one hope. And, with
Mar1jorie at his side he could face a
"hole oisapprovins world. Marjorie, aft
er all, was what counted most in his
heaven.
At the outer door Of the building a
messenger boy halted him.
Letter for you, Mr.. Blake" said the
Tom, with thrill, reoornized Mar
JoTie's writing on the envelope. In his
hour Of direst need. here was a word OF
cheer rom her He tore open the en-
velope and read:
Harry has Just tod ne And never
want TO see or hear OF you again. He
says-and two OF his friends corroborats
him-that he saw you last night in a sluru
restaurant-wtth a woman When thew
ieft the place her arm was around YOU
and your head was on her shoulder.
l could have forgiven anything but
that You have broken my heart Dad
ana Harry have told me all along the
sort OF man you are, but I would never
oehefe them until now Il is proved
Please don't try to explain II is use
less. know you now for what YOU are.
Your whole life has been q LEA lie 20
the girl who trusted you Good bye"
! "A lie?" muttered Tom. half aloud
! Yes the whole world is a world Of lies
It's world I'm tired Of A world thst
] has cast me out There's nothing len
Nothing. Ny parents, my work my
| sweethesT-au gone"
A long time he stood r1ottorless T1.,
! slowly he turned toward the river W-h.,
at last he stood on the pier above ~.
fast-running waters he spoke again:
Life has been too much for me. Too
much when I told the truth. fsr too
much, when turned from the truth II
Will be good TO rest"
He plunged forward and the rr.e5v
waters seized his body II their swift
embrace