The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-06-11
SOMETHING
TOCONFESS
BY R. RAY BAKER

Signs VI NERVOUSNESS were not lOSl Oh
Media Clemmons. 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 i'll at ease. He was
a 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 as oilcl0th 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 a Sc
cret; but he switched the subject be-
fore giving even an inkling as to the
nature of the subject, and talked of
plain, everyday matters, which dsap-
pointed Media, nevertheless did not dis
courage her.
She knew things soon were to reach
a climax, for Clifford had been acting
this way for 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.
Media" he said, rafting the knob
and looking from her, there is some
thing that has been preying on my
mind for weeks-something serious. I
have confession to make, and L
but, on second thought, l don't believe
can tell you tonight. Goodnight"
And he was gone, while she stood
open-mouthed and wondering.
The next evening at the dinner ia
BILE Medals father acted queerly, He
upset the sugar once and spilled his
coffee, and during the meal spoke
scarcely a word.
What's the matter, Samuel?" his
wife inquired solicitously. HAS some
thing gone wrong at the bank?"
"Oh, nothing much" he returned,
but did not vouchSafe an explana-
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
Tow tones, but his words were 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 q word of
this to SOUL" her father was saving.
It's very serious matter. If it got
about town it might cause critical
situation-might even result in a run
On the bank. 1t doesn't take much to
start such a 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 it
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
viii 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 I" she sobbed. ITO think
he has got into such a mess. But
III not go back on him-not even ii
he goes to prison. He wouldn't DELHI.
erately steal. He must have needed
money badly and intended to pay il
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 8 O'Clock. She
was fearful he might leave town OF
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 as ever, or more SO. They start
ed cribbage game in the library
while Mr.. and Mrs. Clemmons shu
themselves in the living room.
IT'S got to come tonight" NEEDS
decided, shutting the cards.
Before either had rounded the hoart
once they tossed their hands on tn,