The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-12

clothes detective and leading him Up
to where Lampson and Tom were
standing.
Good" approved Lampson. Il was
going to phone the police. oficer has
your visit anything to do with this
robbery"
Maybe 1T has; maybe Il hasn't.
replied the plain-clothes man. II
want to see a man named Thomas
Blake Of this address,"
Il am Thomas Blake" put in Tom.
naggard with q sudden underlined
dread. What do you want?s
"You needn't look so scared. said
the detective, grinning. "This ,ain,tS
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.F Fingered
LIZ we call her. Ono OF our men iust
happened to nab her as she was com.
In out of Hardlng's Joint. We searched
her at headquarters. An we found
..his!"
Dramatically he, pulled out a long
envelope addressed. in Toms own
characteristic handwriting to "Thom;
ls Blake, care Of Roger Lampson q
Co.. 231 Market %street.s
One end Of the envelope had been
torn open. The detective shook out
Of It a sheat Of seventeen tifty-dollar
bills.
we took this on herr he went on,
AN We gave her a taste Of the third
iegree till she talked. She says you're
/ friend OF hers an that yor an her
was drinkin' together at Harding,s
last night an she lifted this Tom you
before YOU had Q chance to spend &c
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
ever had the bad luck to meet
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, dazedly, out OF the Of.
dee. His heart was dead.
At the outer door OF the building
. messenger boy halted him.
Letter for you, Mr.. Blake" said the
boy.
Tom, with a thrill, recognized Mar
jorie's writing on the envelope. In
his hour Of .direst need, here was o
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. Ho
says-and two Of his friends ~corroborato
him-that he saw you last night in q
nlum restaurant-with q woman. When
they. left tho place her arm was around
you and your head was on her shoulder.
1 could have forgiven anything but that.
You have broken my heart. Dad and
Harry have told ne all along the sort Of
man you arc. but I would never believe
them until now Il IS proved.
Please don't try to explain. II II USE
less. I know you now for what you arc.
Your whole life has been atle-af liz 10
the girl who trusted you. Good,bys
ssJTEs
"A lie?" mpttered Tom, half aloud.
Eyes, the whole world Is o world Of
lies. It's q world I'm tired Of. A
world that has cast me out. There's
nothing left. Nothing. NY parents,
my work. my sweetheart-aIl gone"
A long time he stood motioniess.
Then slowly he turned toward the rty-
or. When OF last he stood on the pier
above the %fastrunning waters he
spoke again:
Life has been too much for ma.
Too much when I told the truth, a
too much, when I turned from tht
truth. II will DO good to rest"
He plunged forward and the greedy
waters seized his body in their swift
embrace.