The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-11-25

you to say now why l shouldn't 'ele.
phone for the police7"
IL guess there's nothing" answered
Tom hopelessly. ut was my last try,
just to get some money"
That's what you told the judge at
your trial"
"Molly," said Tom, IF you'll let me
go I'm through with it. 1t was for
your sake"
"For my sake? How dare you'll Did
l ever know the nature of your life?
Did l dream-F"
II know you didn't, Molly. But /
wanted to get a little money for you.
I've been hunting for you-God knows
how hard I've tried to find YOU. And
l never dreamed you'd be living here,
the wife of n rich nan let mi go,
Molly, for the Lords sake. 1t isn't the
punishment l care about, it's the
thought of having seen you, and seeing
you again in the court, and going
through all that I'VE gone through once
more.'
II know that talk" said Molly bit
terly. How much have you takenY'
Nothing, 1 swear. 1 just got into
the house." .
II suppose I'll have to let you go,
them" said the girl, musing. God
knows l don't want to have to go into
the court again either. You can go,
Tom"
GOD bless you, Mollyl answered
Tom eagerly. "Tll live straight now,
l swear"
He turned and made his way toward
the door, switched off the light and
was feeling his way along the corridor
when he heard the footsteps of the old
man on the stairs above him.
A light was switched on somewhere
on the first floor. Tom Linton hid
himself behind the window curtains
of the hall through which he had
come. AS he waited there, breath
less, he saw the old man descend the
stairs.
II thought l saw a light on below"
he heard him mutter to himself, as
old men sometimes do. And he
passed into the library. Tom was
opOuN y hdn " nv NlLANO" III
TO his amazement, he saw Molly
emerge from the door nearest the hall
entrance, while at the same time the
old man came out of the other. The
two met almost face to face.
what is it? Who are your" de.
manded the old man testify. 1t was
evident that he did not know her and
had no idea how she had happened
into the house.
81 made a mistake" Molly faltered
Il was told to come here-I
friend"
The old nan broke into chuckllns
laughter. Clearly he put the wOrs
construction upon the girls presence
and yet not the natural one.
81 guess I'll do as well as you
friend, won't l, my dear?" he asked
leering at her.
"How dare you!" cried Molly, fam
ing up.
well, how dare you come into m.
! house?" retorted the old man. And
stepping toward her, he chucked he
: under the chin.
: Suddenly, as Molly screamed, Ton
bounded forward. He caught the oil,
fellow by the throat and shook hin
, like a rat. you hound !" he shouted
"Lemme go !" whimpered the other
How dare you insult a lady VIII
comes into your house by mistaken
"Lemme go. 1t was u mistake a
round" muttered the old man. ii
wriggled out of Toms hands. 81 apo,
oglze," he mumbled. 81 didn't mea
any harm. 1 thought"
Come" said Tom, giving Molly hi
arm. And together they left tn
house-this time both by the fror
door. They passed the policeman o
his beat, but he hardly looked at then
At a convenient corner they stopped.
"What does 1t mean, Molly?" aske
Tom.
. I'll went there to steal" whispere
the girl.
I "YOu we're never there before?"
} She shook her head. "Oh, Tom, 70
may as well know the worst now.
have become a thief. After the trli
l was markell couldn't earn a
honest living. Everyone bounded m
Then 1 tried your way. And that wa
why 1 didn't let you know where
was. 1 knew you were looking for m
e Tom, and l wanted some money, {
meet you, to take you West with m
e and 1 didn't want you to dream"
l. "That you had become what l am
e answered Tom grimly. "Molly," /
continued, 1.-THE past is gone now. Fo
tune has brought us together. So let
n go West and play the straight gam
dear-just as we are, let's work o,
a way out there, or beg, but let's do
# together, because we want each otl
b or,a holn To live the WAY we mean 20