Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-23
Author Of 1.-THE Wings Of the Morning." "The Pillar of Light
"The Terms Of Surrender" Number IT," Etc
Novexed from the Series Of Phoopays of the Same Name
Released by Pathe.
Copyright 1915, by Louis Tracy
Copyright, 1916, by Louis Tracy.

a strange episode III JOnn Burton 3
life moved on now to its predestined
close with the merciless swiftness of
Greek tragedy. Wholly unaware of
the two sordid situations which were
developing, Buttons own acts con-
tributed to the denouement On the
one hand, he obtained the money
from the bank, and actually set his
secretary to check the bills and see
II the amount was right; on the other,
his kindly nature led him to take
the pretty but sad-eyed dancing girl
for more than one airing in his car,
He grew to like her. When away
from Moretti she became natural and
unaffected. The forced gayety OF the
ballroom deserted her. She was lust
shy, wistful and delightfully."- timid
young woman. In word, her attri-
butes were those most calculated 10
appeal to man of Burton's tempera-
ment.
Unfortunately the girl did not con-
fide in him altogether. Had she done
so, at least one chapter of this his
tory would never have been written.
But she was proud, and would not
ask for help, while the bitter expert
ence of by-gone years had hardened
her to the extent of believing that
man seldom gave disinterested as
sistance to woman, especially a
woman who was young and pretty.
Moreover, Moretti held her in
cruel bondage. The crafty Italian
knew that the girls mother was now
in imminent danger Of death unless
she was sent speedily to sanitarium
in the west. If Gertrude fell in with
his plans, he promised her a sufficient
sum of money to relieve her of all
anxiety in this respect. But, if she re-
fused, she thereby condemned her
mother to the grave and herself to
perjury, as she would be dismissed in
stantly from her post in the academy
and was untitled by lack OF training
to fill any other position. She ar
gued, too, as Drake had done, that
Burton was rich, and would suffer
little if any inconvenience from the
loss of a few thousand dollars. 4
share Of which i'll gotten plumber
would fall to her. Life as she hal
known it had mercifully callouscd
her. ---.
For all that, she loathed the under
taking, though she could not nerve
herself to be candid with her friend,
and. tell him of Moretti's wretched
scheme. The upshot of these despic-
able plots came when the young mil
lionaire received the following letter.:
Dear Mr.. Burton: l am in terrible
trouble and want your advice. Will
you come to me this EVENING" Sim
cerely, GERTRUDE BROOK"
The Anthrop, Apartment a."
This missive reached him while he
was actually working the combination
Of the safe to place the money in it
with which he was going to purchase
the country estate. Drake was watch
ing him, and, in fever Of agonized
remorse, was on the point of confess
ing everything, but the telephone bell
rang, and Burton was summoned.
He left Gertrudes letter on the
table. Drake, hardly knowing what he
was doing, glanced at the handWrit-
ing, which, somehow, seemed famil-
lar. Then he read, and his better in
stincts were forthwith submerged.
If Gertrude was minded to be that
sort, why should he worry because
her favored sweetheart was robbed
Of few thousand dollars? But he,
could not bear to meet Burton again,
and left some excuse with servant
IS to a pressing engagement.
Hence, he did not know that the
real estate agent through whom his
employer was acquiring the country
had asked that the money
should be brought to his office that
night to close the deal and thus fore
stall other negotiations. Burton re-
turned, took out the roll of bills, put
hem in his pocket, closed the safe,
andwent away in his car After call,
ng at the agents office, he went on
10 the Anthorp, which was really
Moretti's residence.
He was shown in, and found Ger
rude alone in an apartment so we'll
furnished that, had he given the least
hought to the matter he might well
lave been suspicious.
The girl was very pale and exceed,
ngly nervous. Her talk was rambling
md she seemed ready to drop in a
amt. Indeed, Burton was so alarmed
IS to her condition that he turned to-
earch for some water.
At that instant, Gertrude braced herself
or supreme effort She tore her blouse
II one shoulder, let down her hair and
creamed loudly. Her astounded visitor had
ust turned on his heel when door opened
nd Morettt ran In. The Italian held re-
Oliver, and his ferocious expression seemed
D show that he would not scruple to use It,
so I've caught you, you woman stealer!
out" he shouted. r'But you can't get away
nth this sort of thing here. Your nights
'ork will cost you dear
But he had not counted on the moral or
hyscal force of the man he meant to VIC
mze.
John stared coolly back at him and at
ae wild eyed, distracted looking girl Then
Q dropped his handkerchief to the floor.
He had noticed that Morettl was standing
n narrow rug, which stretched to his
wn feet. STOPPING, as though 10 pick up
lie handkerchief John caught the corners
the rug and tugged violently As he
It slipped easily over the polished
DOR, and Moretti was thrown SO violently
lat his skull hit the floor with q force
hich disposed Of him for the rest Of the
ght. au
without a word to the cringing girl, Bur-
IN went out. He drove home, and entered
lie house quietly. He was thinking Of 60
70 straight to his room when the sound
pistol shot brought him quickly to the
brary
Arrived there. he found Drake with re-
Diver in his hand, and a man lying In
ont of the open safe,
Burton faced Drake and then the whole
nth came out. Drake made full con-
ssion. He told how he had been tempted.
I'd had fallen how a furious squabbls
I'd taken place when Wall-eyed Bill dis
'vered that the safe was empty and
I'd accused him Of having "double-crossed"
", .tr rw1o thokR Call