Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-20
The Red Mouse
A Story of Love, Jealousy and Politics
By WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

for you; also. TO loan you considerable
money"
There was dramatic pause. And except
for questioning glance from Challoner and
Shirley. which found a ready answer in the
eyes of Miriam, his listeners did not move
nor speak.
There it is announced Murgatroyd, in
the same business-like tone and stepping
aside from the table. revealed two old, bat
tered, dust-covered, sheet-iron boxes.
Those boxes!" exclaimed Mrs. Challoner
who was visibly excited. What Is In
them?" she asked in bewilderment.
Il don't know" returned Murgatroyd
calmly.
There was no question in the minds OF
the prosecutors visitors but that these
boxes were the same that Miriam had
brought to him long ago, filled with
negotiable securities, TO the extent--as Mir
lam was not likely to forget--of ss60.000 I:
but, as to their present contents, ALL nat
urally, were at loss to conjecture. So
no one spoke, but continued to wait ex-
pectantly for Murgatroyd to make the next
move. Apparently, however, that was far
from his intention, and after a moment
Shirley broke out with:
do you mean to say that you don't
know what is In them?"
Miss Bloodgood, there's only one person
in this room who knows that" he replied
quietly. Then, turning to Mrs. Challoner,
he went on in the same tone:
DO you see these seals?"
Yes" she whispered.
"unbroken. are they not?"
Yes" again she assented family
We'll, then you know what is inside of
them; do not"
II" faltered Miriam Why"
Then followed n moment OF racking sus-
pense for all, except, perhaps, Murgatroyd.
Mrs. Challoner," he resumed, you told
me once that there were SS65 900 in nego
table securities in these boxes. II what
you then said was true, there they are,
coupons and ALL
But, Mr.. Murgatroyd," protested Mrs.
Challoner, you said that you did not have
any money. y"
Murgatroyd smiled.
Il spoke the truth. But you o"
And now, to Challoners great surprise
Murgatroyd fixed his eyes on him, and said
In voice that impressed them all the more,
inasmuch as it was filled with a kindly
confidence rather than with distrust:
There's ss6O,OOO in those boxes. ChaI-
loner belonging to your wife. Can you stand
having ii back again."
Challoner looked puzzled for as Miriam
had told Shirley he had had no reason to
been spent by them. Slowly he began to
understand, but he was too overcome to
speak. Presently he found his voice and
said:
Can stand"
Yes" interrupted Murgatroyd. you
know what money did for you before
what 1t led To-" He broke OF abruptly
and turning to Shirley he added. II told
YOU once Miss Bloodgood. that there was
but one way to cure bad millionaire but
one way to reform him, and that was TO
take away his millions. Well, l took away
his ="
All eyes now rested on Challoner, who
Obvious TO his surroundings. seemed lost
in thOught-and who can tell what dreams
may come to one suddenly lifted from the
depths OF poverty back again to affluence
But. IN any event, looking the prosecutor
straight in the face he said in an easy,
determined voice:
Billy Murgatroyd, a little while ago you
asked whether | could stand having all
this again; the last five years of my life
is my answer to that"
This reply brought 10 his wife's face
look of pride and unconsciously she
Strengthened up in her chair; while Shir.
ley sighed perceptbly.
Miriam, you're going to let me build
that hospital. aren't you?"
simultaneously with Mriam's monosyl.
Liable answer, Murgatroyd glanced at Chai.
loner sharply, not forgetting, quite natural
ly, how easy in the past it had been for
the husband 10 get whatever he wanteI
from his wife; his doubts, however. were