Gilpin observer., 1920-06-10
SOMETHING
TOCONFESS
BY r. RAY BAKER
t@. 1890. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

Meua Ciemmons. She wondered what
had gone wrong with Clifford, and she
wished she could console him, or try
to. whatever the difficulty.
In the year and half they had
known each other Media never had
seen Clifford so Ill at ease. He was
merry-hearted blonde young man,
with eyes that laughed with dancing
blue light, and mOuthful of firm,
white teeth that assisted in the opera
tion-and he had seemed to shed all
trouble rs OilclOth sheds water. He
was assistant cashier In the bank of
which Mr.. ClemmOns was president !:
and that is how he happened to meet
Media. She was anxious for Clifford
to tell her his troubles, but she would
not ask him. Several times he ap-
peared on the point of unbosoming
himself, for he leaned forward in his
chair, and his eyes uttered words that
seemed preliminary to unfolding Sc
cret; but he switched the subject be-
rore giving even an inkling as to the
nature of the subject, and talked of
plain, everyday matters, which disap-
pointed Media, nevertheless did not dis
courage her.
She knew things soon were to reach
climax, for Clifford had been acting
this way for a week and each time
she saw him 1t was evident the nerv-
Gus strain had become aggravated.
So the particular evening with which
we have to deal passed uneventfully.
She played and sang for him. and
they tried their hand at cribbage, and
he went home at ten o'clock.
When ne opened the door to leave
he stood hesitatingly, with one hand
on the knob, moving one foot restless
ly, and made believe the secret was
about to be divulged.
"Meda," he said, rafting the knob
and looking from her, "there is some
thing that has been preying on my
mind for weeks-something serious. 1
nave confession to make, and /
but, on second thought, don't believe
can tell you tonight. Goodnight"
And he was gone, while she stood
Dpen-mouthed and wondering
Aht heAt eNeIiiiS dt tne ulnner Ia
bic Medals father acted queerly. He
upset the sugar once and spilled his
coffee, and during the meal spoke
scarcely word.
whats the matter, Samuel?" his
wife inquired solicitously. HAS some
thing gone wrong at the bank?"
"Oh, nothing much" he returned,
l,,t "a a
ton.
Goodness! It's catching" Media
told herself as she left the table and
went into the library to read Some
where she had mislaid her handker-
chief, and she went back toward the
dining room presently to look for it.
Her parents remained seated at the
table. and her father was speaking in
low tones, but his words We're perfect
ly audible to Media. They had not
heard her approach, so she crept out
of their range of vision and listened.
You must not breathe word Of
this to a SOUL" her father was saying.
IT'S a very serious matter. If 1t got
about town 1t might cause a critical
situation-might even result in run
on the bank. 1t doesn't take much to
start such thing, you know"
Media waited eagerly and anxiously
for the next words.
THE fact is somebody has got away
with ten thousand dollars" Mr.. Glenn
mons continued. 1--WE discovered 1t
this morning, and only the directors
and myself know it-except, of course,
The person who has the ten thousand"
DO You suspect anyone?" his wife
inquired.
"Yes, although we have no evidence.
We have detective working on the
case now, and have hopes the mystery
will be solved and matters straight
ened up without publicity"
Media crept away to her room.
where she threw herself on the bed
and wept.
Poor Cliff! !" she sobbed. ''To think
he has got into such n mess. But
I'll not 20 back on him-not even IL
he goes to prison. He wouldn't dellb-
erately steal. He must have needed
money badly and intended to pay 1t
back"
The girl slept little that night, and
In the morning was up early. She
could scarcely wait until evening for
Clifford was to call at s o'clock. She
was fearful he might leave town or
be arrested In the meantime, so she
called him on the phone and received
assurance he would be on hand.
Eight o'clock came. and Clifford was
punctual, although appearing as wor-
ried rs ever. or more so. They start
ed a cribbage game In the library
while Mr.. and Mrs. Clemmons shut
themselves In the living room.
ITS got to come tonight" Media
decided, shufillng the cards.
Before either had rounded the board
once they tossed their hands on the
table.
Ia a