The Delta independent., 1916-01-14

DeCh n Dil VI Ivy any " ehS USA'
My nurses daughter, foolish and ro-
mantle. And a man l trusted. :.
oh, well. he's dead 1t was my moth
err wish that l should always provide
for her. shall always do so, whether
| return to America or not, whether
live or die. Do you believe me?"
I'm going to try to-"
Yes, yes; l understand. 1t is hu-
man to look less for virtue than for
transgression. All this property round
here is mine. The people live close to
the blinds. l do not come often; once
in six months; but that once is enough
for the rabbit-warren of scandalmong-
ers. It's rather hard on that young
woman; but she is made of the stuff of
martyrs, and she never speaks of me,
nor seeks me. Whose business is i but
mine, mine? Damn all meddlers! -
with fury which brought Forbes out
of his lethargy.
Same herei" he said. Where was
the Florentine box; under the seat?
And how had he done it? The iron
nerve of the man, to have taken such
risks. And playing poker all that
time, as cool as you please! 1t took
a deal of control not to whirl upon
Crawford and accuse him pointblank.
FORBES. l have never wronged a
soul in this world; l have never done
anything I'm ashamed Of / am not
even ashamed of what l did tonight.
Let's not play cat and mouse any
longer. You know. and / know you
Won nn1r1dr,ff off
my hand. 1t was devilish hard on my
nerves to see you walk in. What took
from Mearson's safe was . mine!"
"Yours!"
The cab wheeled into Broadway, out
of quiet into noise. A block or two in
silence.
81 sent them on a wild goose chase.
To get into the apartment was simple;
the safe was nothing. You know my
hobby, insane as it is. l hurt my hand
in getting through the transom. Do
you care to know what was in the
box? A packet of letters. One mad
day I sent them back; and now one
mad night l go like a thief and re-
cover them. You will say that should
have gone to her and asked. / know
her. l know myself. Pride or stub
bornness, call it what you will"
But in heavens name. the cause?"
1--WE have just left it." Crawford
said nothing more till the cab drew up
in front of the studio. Here you are.
Good night and God bless, boy. When
you get tired out with work. pack up
and come over. You know where to
cable. I'm a man over yonder; only a
grub here"
Forbes felt himself literally pushed
from the cab and he stood on the
curb, weak with shame. Damn those
meddling reporters, to have put such
a thought into his head! Poor old
Gravity! The girl with the copper
beech hair. And with the thought Of
her came a great and glorious idea,
romantic and irresistible.
Crawford turned about and pro-
ceeded swiftly downtown, toward
home. Round the corner from where
he lived was an ancient pawn shop.
1t was open; for pawn shops find prof
it in late hours. Here Crawford
stopped, lifted the seat, took out the
F1orentine box, and went into the
pawn shop.
Hello, Moses!" he called to the
bent old man who was puttering over
his accounts.
"Ha! Goot efening, Mr.. Crawfort.
What can ] do for you dis efening?"
Lost the key to this box and was
wondering IL you could open 1t with
out injuring it in any way?"
HIN. Hant-tooled. Sure l open
her" The old man laid on the coun.
ter drawer full of keys, ancient, med.
ieval, modern. At length he threw
back the lid. "F>tt she won't lock
her again. Peter keep her open dill
you flint t. key"
Thanks. Here's cigar for you
Good night"
Il pought dose blates you tolt me
to-"
How much did you give the old
lady?'
Twenty dollars"
Here it is. How much is the stun
WORTH"
The pawnbroker laughed. "Ten
cents"
We'll, never let her know" Fol
many came to Crawford with curios
to sell, and the worthy he sent to
Moses who gave them what they asked
and charged 1t.
Sometimes / tink you are crazy
Mr.. Crawfort."
Moses, am the craziest man II
| all New York"
| CHAPTER XII