The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-11-02

clothes detective and leading him up
to where Lampson and Tom were
standing.
Good" approved LAmpson. Il was
going to phone the police. officer has
your visit anything TO do with this
robbery"
Maybe 1t has; maybe IT hasn't"
replied che ~plain-clothes man. Il
want to see a MAJ named Thomas
Blake Of this address"
Il am Thomas Blake" put in Tom,
hasgard with a sudden underlined
dread. What do you WANT"
you needn't look so scared" said
the detective, grinning. This amt q
pinch. It's good news for you. We
got an alarm from Boston last even
In to look out for a woman crook
named Lizzie Reisen-Light- Fingered
Liz' We call her. One Of our men just
happened to nab her as she was COM
in out OF Harding's joint. We searched
her at headquarters. An we found.
this!"
Dramatically he pulled out a long
envelope addressed, in Toms own
characteristic handwriting to Thorn
as Blake, care of Roger Lampson &
| Co., 231 Market street."
One end OF the envelope had been
torn open. The detective shook out
Of 1t a sheaf of seventeen ~ffty-dollar
! bills.
I'VE took this OF her" he went ON,
AN we rave her a taste of the third
degree till she talked. She say you're
a friend Of hers an that you an her
was drinkin' together at Harding's
last night a. she lifted this from you
before o had a chance to spend II
on anyone else"
Five minutes later Roger Lampson
was saying. with genuine sorrow In
his voice:
I'm not going to prosecute, Blake.
But you've proved yourself not only q
thief but the most conscienceless liar
l ever had the bad luck to meet. l
cannot employ you any longer. And
my sense Of fairness will force me to
warn any future employer Of yours
that you are a dangerous crook"
Tom walked, dazed.y, out Of the of.
ice. His heart was dead.
At the outer door Of the building
q messenger boy halted him.
Letter for you, Mr.. Blake" said the
boy.
Tom, with . thrill. recognized Mar.
jorfe's writing on the envelope. In
his hour of direst need. here was a
word OF cheer from her! He tore
open the envelope and read:
Harry has just told me. And I never
want TO see or hear Of you again. He
s~ays-and two of his friends corroborate
him-that he saw you last night In a
slum restaurant-with q woman. When
they left the place her arm was around
you and your head was on her shoulder.
I could have forgiven anything but that
You have broken my heart. Dad, and
Harry have told me all along the sort OF
man you are. but I would never believe
them until now II 10 proved.
Please don't try to explain. II Ia use
less. ! know you now for what you ara.
Your whole life has been q lie-a lie to
the girl who trusted Pen. oood,sy."
"A he! mutterod Tom, half aloud.
yes. the whole world 10 a world Of
lies. It's a world I'm tired of. A
world that has cast me out. There's
nothing left. Nothing. Ny parents,
my work. my sweetheart-all gone.
A long time he stood motionless.
Then slowly he turned toward the riv.
er. When at last he stood on the pier
above the f~ast-running waters he
spoke again:
Life has been too much for me-
Too much when ! told the truth, fm
too much, when l turned from the
truth. 1t will be good to rest"
He plunged forward and the greedy
waters saiGed his body In their WIN
embrace.
tnGD or sAvHkyH STORY