The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-24
Chapter "a.
CONTRASTS.

AON HHS y.
Violet, DEAR" l began. 81 am not
saying / think Bud guilty of stealing
money, or even of being in league
with these men who are. planning the
robberies."
Her expression softened at once.
"Of course not. Bud couldn't do
anything wrong"
He could. He has already done a
lot of things that are wrong. But
fortunately, none of them are so i'm
portant."
81 don't care!" vi declared I'D
love him just as much no matter what
he did"
That was, essentially, the girls
whole character-when she loved
itswas a blind, all-absorbing revo-
ton. There was something fool
ish, but something very admirable
about it. Women who are capable
of such a love often must DELHI
erately deceive themselves in Or
der to keep up their illusions, but
they are usually very happy in
their love.
She wandered back into the living
room, and sat staring moodily out of
the window. With dark our street: be-
came as quiet as could be-except in
warm weather when all the neighbors
turned out upon their steps. Tonight
there was nothing to see but shabby
house fronts and a few street lamps.
I watched the girl with anxiety as
went back and forth setting the table.
II wish Bud would come around
this evening"" she said presently
when l told her dinner was ready.
But Bud refused to come, even when
Violet went down stairs and telephon
ed the place where he lived.
"Pete's there. He answered the
phone when 1 asked for Bud" vi said
coming upstairs again. Il wonder
what he is doing there?"
It seemed to me the worst thing
possible under the circumstances, was
Pete's presence. Certainly the two
boys were under suspicion, Pete more
than Bud.
And after all, where did Pete get
all these extraordinary tips about the
market? He was nothing more than
a messenger boy in one of the firms
just as Bud was. And where did he
get the money to play them-before
he began helping himself? And where
did Bud get all the money he seemed
TO nave at uIH0S. L COulu uSlluIS Ue-
lieve he was as fortunate at gambling
since that was what it amounted tC
as he pretended to be.
was so worried that next day
telephoned the Meade & Judson of
fees, and asked for Mr.. Meade.
II don't like to do this in office
hours when you are busy l began
But I am so worried about this. Why
didn't you say something yesterday
Because l though l had managed
it so quietly that nothing would gel
into the papers" he answered. "Wher
| saw the evening editions, | knew
you had seen them too, and that
should have told YOU
Bud is not in the Office
asked.
No" he told me. I'VE thought
under the circumstances-he had bet
ter be laid off, until this affair is clear
ed up Will you be in this after
noon? l will drop in on my way
nome"
why hasn't Bud been to see u.s.
| asked, when We were alone in oul
little living room.
"Oh, that worried you, did it? Well
that part is all right. | told him te
Keep away. lie was only ODSylnS OF
ders. He had a large lump on his
head, and looked bit battered up
even though he was not badly hit
AS | said, thought I could keep this
thing quiet, so l told him to sta,
home until he at least looked normal
What has happened about it to
day."
To-day some rather serious things
developed" His voice became very
gentle, and his eyes, when he looked
at me, were soft and kindly. Il hate
to have to tell you this, but after all
tho papers will have it, and you
had better hear it from me. Frankly
the police think George is in with
gang of thieves"
He couldn't be-"
We'll, some things look bad fo1
him. His friendship with this Peter
# forget his other name-who has
stolen, and who is being watched care
fully, though he doesn't know that
Another fact is Georges extrava
gance-"
But last fall when we came back
to town he was saving money to pay
debts. Why he did not always get
enough to eat! i know that
I thought of some Of the times he had
dined with us, obviously halfstarv d
Yes, true enough. But l know he
afforded himself suits by the highest