Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-09

"a Eesilius Marvel TO his feet aS
ihough set on springs. Such
things do not tranopirc in well reSh-
lated bank save for some potent rec
son. and the quick mind of the h'au
Of the United EauherS' Protective rs
ScciatiOn seemed 20 analyZe lhe
situation IN flash. | believe b'-
fore he had crossed the thr"ShoId
of the uriyatc Office of the =. '~l-
dent OF our institution, peculiarly
heavy crash had told him that one oI
the immense plate gls WINDOWS
back of the currency pen mad SUI
fered; that the cry was that OF man
in one OF the cages; that the comiho
ton was the mingled shutting OF the
feet OF the house officers drawn TO an
irresistible focus by some eXtraordi-
nary occurrence.
| was in the wake OF Marvel
almost instantly. impelled by curl
osity and wonder. The president
OF the bank had been going over
the list Of average balances, weed
ing out some clients whose bust
ness affairs showing symptoms
OF dry rot, was planning to have
them rot somewhere else, and
preparing a package to hand to some
unwary brother banker. So far as Of
ficial ethics would permit. he peered
through the open doorway at the gath
ering crowd about the currency pen
Marvel had parted the ranks in his
swift, effective way. l was close at
his heels A picturesque spectacle
greeted US.
Behind the railing clerk was
dancing up and down in frenzy Of
uncomfortable excitement, one hand
indicating a man crowded close to the
outer counter slab of marble. the 9th
6- waving towards wrecked window.
while he kept shouting wildly:
stared, undisguisedly puzzled, at
the man upon whom the gathering
throng were massing. He was thin to
the point of attenuation, his eyes
twitched from nervousness or weak,
ness. and his face was very pale. How
ever. his colorless lips framed a
smile-a smile Apologize, gentle.
submissive. slightly cynical and tri-
umphant. 1t was the smile of man
down and out morally, physically and
financially, but that also of person
making a desperate cast of fate, and
awaiting what might hinge upon the
hazard OF the die. He challenged the
crowd pressing about him, not upper
turbed, but with no alarm visible in
his features. And then he made a
slight forward movement as Marvel
reached him. 1t was a gesture recog
mixing power and protection.
"A fair ending" he said, looking my
friend squarely in the eyes.
Marvel placed q hand on the mans
arm. but scarcely with force. The
poor wretch, beside the husky Off RS
grouping about him. appeared like
some scarecrow bird in the net of the
fowlers. Even then he was taken
with a violent fit Of coughing that
racked his frame SO that he was
forced to hold swaying to the brass
railing. He pressed a handkerchief
to his lips. AS he lowered 1t no
ticed that 1t was streaked with blood
% Quick, What was it?" spoke Mar
vel authoritatively to the clerk behind
the railing.
HE threw red pepper!" spluttered
the teller. II lodged See-where II
hit the slab. A little went in my eyes
Before / could get my revolver he
pushed an arm over to the window
guard"
What did he get?"
Special package-$S0.000."
Where Is it,"
The window-the street," rambled
on the clerk. He must have weight.
ed 1t, for 1t went through that window
like a cannon ball. and"
In a fash Marvel, both feet on the
slab, swung over the wire netting
sprang to the ledge of the window and
vas scanning the street. All that he
saw was a gathering, gaping crowd
snd two policemen pointing to a
mounted officer down the roadway
Automobile, | suppose" comment
ed my friend. and was back at the
side of the culprit by the route he
had left him. Get US out of this
crowd" he directed me, and | made
path for him through the mob to the
nearest Office.
The prisoner needed no urging to
follow the pressure of Marvels urging
hand. Our cashier had come up. and
the door closed On the four of us.
What did you expect to make out
of this foolish break, DAM" inquired
my friend, not unkindly.
Not ten years" responded the fel.
low. with ghostly shadow of smile
There will be no trial. for the doctor
has given me just ten days. I'm doped
with strychnine, or | couldn't hold I'D
now. Get me where can lie down.
or you'll have TO carry me-
The man looked all he indicated
poor wretch in the last stages of
consumption. He had partially col.
iapsed, and lay rather than sat in the
big arm chair All the time, how.
ever. there was certain contented
smile on his face.
You know me. Mr.. Marvel" he OBJ.
served weakly-"not yet obituarized
although the records had it So
didn't pull this of for myself"
Rather not" replied Marvel Then
why"
Derby Dan, once famous as a bank
sneak shook HIS bopv bood slo,,-rr