Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-10-29
The
Substitute
Millionaire
BY
HUBERT FOOTkE2
HUBERT FOOTkE2

She sprang UP as she spoke, and
her hand approached the bell but
ton. Gone was her listlessncss now
/ You will not do that" said Jack
quietly.
Aier thumb rested on the button.
Why won't II" she demanded.
Because you don't know yet how
much 4 know
| her hand dropped irresolutely.
What is it to me what you think
you know. Are you trying to black
mail me?''
| Il am not"
What's your game them
I'll tell you IL you don't have me
put out" said Jack. smiling dryly.
! She agitatedly paced the room
Jack went on. ST am doing you the
credit of supposing that you do not
you spend"
"You are accusing me of dishon-
esty perhaps" she said haughtily.
| Il don't know how honest you are
said Jack simply. Il am not acquaint-
| ed with the terms of your agreement
with Mr.. b.
She stopped as If she had been
transfixed. She went white to the
lips, "Mr. B.!" she whispered You
know him!"
II know this much" said Jack
slowly. "The thousand dollars a week
which he sends you is the proceeds
OF blackmail-and murder!"
She staggered. He thought she was
swooning, and sprang to catch her.
But she Tended him OFF, and sank in
a chair unaided. 1t was full min.
ute before she could speak.
You are just trying-to brighten
me-" she murmured huskily.
Il shall prove 1t before 60"
"What-what do you want of me?"
II expect when prove to you the
truth OF what 1 say. that you will
repudiate Mr.. B. and his generous
allowance, and help me to hang him."
She did not answer at once, but
| only stared at him with big eyes.
"You will not accept anything
further from him, of course
| Still she did not answer.
"Will you knowingly help to levy
| blackmail, and to bring about addi-
tional murders?'
She burst into tears. "How do I
know what to do?" she vailed you
haven't proved wnat you say! How
do know what your game is? !
have nothing not SOU! Where am
to go! How could I live?''
Notwithstanding her pretended
establishment, indignation, dismay,
Jack saw that she had always been
secretly conscious of living over a
volcano. She had no doubt resolulte-
~ averted her face from it, but had
dwelt in daily expectation of this
dreadful scene.
"As to the means of existence, you
need not worry" said Jack. II shall
take care of that"
'You?"
He saw that he had gone too far.
Il mean Bobo of course, It is his
game I am playing"
"Who was murdered?" she asked
abruptly.
..silas clyde for one; Ames Benton
for another"
anarchists committed those
crimes"
1.-TWO poor mad youths were used
to carry out the purpose of a devil
ishly sane brain-our friend Mr.. b.
in fact
For the last time she attempted to
bluff it out. She yawned elaborate
| ", tho the hand with which she COW
cred her pretty mouth still trembled.
Mercy! It sounds like melodrama!
You must excuse me if I cannot
swallow it entire. I'm afraid you've
been too faithful a student of the
| movies
"Shall describe Mr.. B. to your
| said Jack. Ills favorite disguise I
mean: he probably has many dis
guises. He is smallish man but
rather heavy; not corpulent, but
| thick-set He is always we'll dressed
! in a decent sober style. He has
] piercing blue eyes, and wears a