The Crittenden press., 1920-02-27

strands Of rock flax. commercially
worthless"
But that aln't roguery. That's Just
business trick" said COnnell "How
did he get you Into his power Mr.. Ros-
ny. asking your pardon? I'll tell you.
He's cheated you as he's cheated MS.
except that II wns worse. because you
trusted him. which we never did.
That's what come to tell you Mr..
Rosny. He's swlndled you out Of
nearly forty thousand dollars on one
deal. In North Empire Development
company stock. and maybe in other"
Broussenu ienped at Lafe like n
tiger. lnfe. who had anticipated the
move. stepped dexterously aside, at
the same time twrllng the chair on
which his hand was resting. BrOus-
seau. in his plunge forward, tripped
over 1t. stumbled and fell prone to the
/ floor.
"And l got the papers to prove that
-here!" said Lafe triumphantly.
Brousseau rose. rubbing his sh'ns
and muttering curses. and glared saw
agely about him. Madeleine was
breathing quickly. her eyes fixed in.
tently on Lafe's face.
ITS d-d lie!" cried Brousseau.
They've forged those papers. Where
are theyi Eth? Show mel"
"He said he was speaking for you.
Mr.. Rosny," said Lafe, $50 here they
are. guess you know your sigma.
| ture?'
He drew the envelope from his pock-
ct and placed the three documents on
the Seigneur's knee. standing between
him and Brousseau, who looked ready
to leap again. But he did not leap
he muttered to Madeleine, who still
watched Lafe breathlessly.
81 guess these letters don't tell you
much, Mr. Rosny," continued Lafe. "If
you'll put them together you'll see that
those fifty thousand-dollar shares were
sold for you In Quebec at hundred
collars apiece.
"Yes. Monsieur Brousseau had III
fortune with that company. lie ex.
pln.ned 1t to me-" said the Selgneur.
trembling. what Of It"
"Why, here's the market price Of Its
shares five days before at SS75, that's
ALL" said Lafe. ut didn't tumble that
fast. All the country would have been
ringing with It II 1t had done that.
guess Brousseau has that money OF
yours tucked away safely somewhere u
"You gave me your power Of attor.
ney-" Brousseau began.
But his guilt was written on his
face. The swiftness Of the blow hat
utterly disconnected him and made hin
incapable of defense. Lafe saw the
Seigneur's expression change as II g
mask has been torn from his fea
lures. He staggered to his feet. his
left side helpless, and, grasplng the
chair with his right hand. confronted
Brousseau.
"What have you to sayf Is II true
or false, monsieur?" he cried. "Whert
are my other stocks? You had hun
dred thousand Of my money. Where
Is IT."
Find IT," yelled Brousseau. $50 tC
the devil with your money! | tried &c
help you out Of friendship. ! haven't
time To work out your stock exchange
accounts for you. II anybody's cheat
ed you It's the stockbroker. Go to hin
for II" lie started toward Madeleine
"YOu don't believe these lies against
me?" he cried
"You have insulted my father, bu,
you have not answered him"
"Tll pay him."
at Is true. then? II is true?"
"Yep, it's true" interposed I.afe. III
can't be anything else. Everybody
knows what rotten. swindllng thiei
the fellow Is. All, keep your hand
down, Mr.. Rosny. I'm telling you wha,
think Of him. That's what ! came
here for. And II you'll excuse me fol
referring to your mortgage. which
everybody knows, II he doesn't turn
that In TO you by tomorrow Mr.. Askew
will sue him crlminally as well as civ
lily for what he's done to us, because
we've got the confession Of the man
that sawed the boom for him"
Brousseau swung on his heel sud
denly and strode toward the door. lie
turned and shook his fist at Lafe. "Ill
pay you for this, you and that other
blackmnller" he swore. "l'll smash
your rotten concern. I'll"
He broke OF with der.sive snort
and made toward the entrance. Blu,
Lnfe strobe past him and blocked his
way.
Just moment" he snIh. "Mr
Rosny's got something to say to you
Brousscuu tried 10 ding himself
past. but Lafe. standing like an Iron
sentinel, completely filled the open
ing.
Monsieur Brousseau." said III,
/ SttENtNI, NHNIt uIt just lew WNTus
to say before you 60. When Monsieur
Conncll came here he did not NEE,
with encouragement. He proved hi.
case. and YOU have proved II by youl
actions. When you were n boy | nd
vnnced YOU. Interested myself In you
You climbed high and you tried IN re-
pny me by ousting me from my land,
and stepping into my shoes You
sought to dlshonor us through my
daughter, who was wiser than In her
recognition Of what you were.
thought that YOU were only lll.hred
hut you have proved yourself scoun.
drcl ms we'll You will repay M,
everything YOU have stolen or 10 to
hil GOod.dny, monsieur"
"Thnt's all, guess" said Lafc. and
opened the door.
Brousscnu dashed through and nlonr
. - ..s.