The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-06


at last in Carlton Dunlsp's face as
he let himself into his apartment
late one night toward the close OF the
year.
On his breath was the lingering odor OF
whisky, yet in his eye and hand none Of
the effects. He entered quietly although
there was no apparent reason for such ex-
cessive caution. Then he locked the door
with the utmost care, although there was
no apparent reason for caution about that,
either.
Even when he had thus barricaded him.
self. he paused TO listen with all the ele-
mental fear of the cave man who dreaded
the footsteps Of his pursuers. In the dim
light of the studio apartment he looked
anxiously for the figure of his wife Con-
stance was not there as she had been on
other nights, uneasily awaiting his re-
turn What was the matter? His hand
shook a trihe now as he turned the knob
of the bedroom door and pushed it softly
open.
She was asleep He leaned over, not
realizing that her every faculty was
keenIy alive to his presence, that she was
acting part.
Throw something around yourself,
Constance he whispered hoarsely into
her ear. as she moved with a little we'll
feigned start at being suddenly awakened.
"and come into the studio. There is
something must tell you tonight. my
dear
my dearr' she exclaimed bitterly, nov
seeming to rouse herself with an effort
and pretending to put back stray wisp
OF her dark hair in order to hide from
him the tears that still fingered on her
flushed cheeks. you can say that, Carl
ton. when it has been every night the
same old threadbare excuse of working at
the office until midnight?"
Listen" he urged. taking her arm
gently to lead her TO an easy chair.
s'No. 70 no!' she cried, now thoroughly
aroused. with eyes that again snapped
accusation and defiance al him, don't
touch me- Talk to me. if you want to.
b.. don't, cont come near me-" She was
now facing him. standing in the high
ceiiinced studio" as they called the
rcem where she had kept up in desul-
tory manner for her own amusement the
art studies which had interested her be-
fore her marriage. What is it that you
want to say2"
.'Corstance," he demonstrated. looking
fearfuIly about. Tnstinctively she felt that
her accusation was unjust. Not even that
had dulled the hunted look in his face
perhaps perhaps If it were that OF
which you suspect me, we could patch ii
up. don't know. But. Constance, IL
must leave for the West on the first
train in the morning" ne az. not pause
to notice her startled look. but raced on.
IL have worked every night this week
trying to straighten out those accounts Oh
mine by the first of the year and-and !
can't do it, An expert begins on then
in couple OF days. you l..Ist all uI
the office tomorrow and tell them that
am Ill. tell them anything. / must &c
at least a day or two start before they
Carlton she interrupted. what is tn,
matter? What have YOU"
She checked herself in surprise. He hat
been fumbling in his pocket and had nov
laid down a pile OF green and yellow
banknotes on the table.
II have scraped together every las
cent / can spare" he continued. TALKING
jerkiIy to suppress his emotion. The
cannot take those away from you, Con
stance. And-when | am settled-in
new life he swallowed hard and averte'
his eyes further from her startled gaze
under a rev rarae, somewhere, If yol
have just a little love in your heart tina
still responds to me LIMO it is to-
much even to hope. Constance, the &C
counts will not come out right because
AMI am an embezzler."
He bit off the word viciously and the
sank his head into his hands and bowe
il to a depth that alone could express hi
shame
Why did vhe not say something. d
something? Some women would hav
tainted. Some would have denounce
him. But she stood there and he dare
not look UP to read what was written i
her face.
when we were first married, Con
stance he began sadly. Il was only
clerk for Green & Co.. at two thousan
a year. We talked it over. / stayed an
in time became cashier at i've thousand
But you know as we'll as I that nv
thousand does not meet the social obligs
tions laid on US by our position in I'll
cirele,in which we are forced to move.
''You were not a nagging woman, Cor
stance" he went on in a somewhat sof
ened tone 'In fact you have been
good wife; you have never thrown 1t L
TO me that I was unable to make goc
to the degree OF many OF our friends
purely commercial lines. All you ha'
ever said is the truth. banking hou
pays low for its brains. My God"'
cried. stiffening out in the chair al
clenching his fists. lit pays low for
temptations, too
There had been nothing in the wor
Carlton would not have given to ma
happy the woman who stood now. leanil
on the table in cold silence, with avert
head, regarding neither him nor the p
OF greenbacks
He paused in the bitterness Of
thoughts She moved as il to speak. IN
no. he interrupted Hear me out fir
All asked was a chance to employ
little Of the money that saw about !
mot to take it, but to employ it for
little while, a few DAYS, perhaps only
few hours. Money breeds money. w
should not use some OF this idle mon
10 pay me what ought TO have?
when Mr.. Green was away last SUI