Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-10-05
CHAPTER x-Continued,


what do you mean" asked Kitty
breathlessly.
Bowyer leaned forward again and
whispered In her ear Kitty was as
pale as death. How'll that do for
your" he asked triumphantly.
Kitty rose, trembling. "I'll stick to
my word" she said. But you're the
lowest cur I've ever known, Tom
Bowyer, and l hope-I hope some
body flays you-fays the skin off you
before you've run your course"
"I'll take my chance of that"
grinned Bowyer, as he rose.
Kitty sank back in her chair, her
hands over her face. OF a sudden the
abysmaI depths of sin had opened be-
meath her. She was tempted to run
after him and call him back. But she
could not stir. 1t was some time be-
bore she forced herself to rise. She
went to the window. She guessed that
Bowyer was going to the bank. He
would return that way, and she could
call him in and tell him that she had
changed her mind.
Suddenly she started back behind
the curtains. Wilton was passing on
the other. side of the road. He held
his head high, yet he walked like
man who was broken.
Kitty watched him 60 by. Her heart
was full of pity for him, for his quix-
otto dreams, his foolish faithfulness to
Joe. The picture that Bowyer had
limned of Molly faded from her mind
under the brighter glow that came
into it.
Like Wilton, Bowyer had business
to transact with Phayre. He went
to the bank; it was after hours, but
he knew Phayre would be there, await
ing him.
"Carruthers is in town." said the
bank president.
"Ile is, h?" asked Bowyer, darling
keen glance at him. "When did he
get in?"
Day before yesterday. He was
subpoenaed on that case"
"Thnt's so, of course said Bowyer.
"What did they get?'
'SiX months apiece"
mo new light on the murder of our
friend?"
Nothing. Quain didn't go into that
phase Of the affair at all He'd ques-
toned them, and couldn't prove any
thing"
Bowyer fell into brown study 70,
few moments.
"Carruthers been here YETI" he in
qured presently.
Not yet. He's trying to raise cool
half-milliOn in town. | guess he's been
to the last likely place by now. So
he'll be here tomorrow to renew the
loan"
You'll renew, of course" said
Bowyer. Excellent wheat lands!
Fine investment for your bank, the
Missatibi! By the way, you hit II
strong with that cartoOnw
They both laughed, first at the car.
toon, then at Bowyers raillery.
mo more trouble with Clarke" asked
Eowyer
mot az present. guess that extra
two hundred squared him. He's
dangerous customer to handle, though.
And absolutely indispensable for a job
like we had to handle. A first-class
man at his trade cool as a cucumber,
and looking like gentleman. You'll
find it hard to bent that combination.
He could have had more than the two
hundred he held ne up for"
Hes certainly worth it," admitted
BOwyer. "WhatU you do with him
next year"
"Why, he seems to like the work
here" answered Phayre, laughing. "Tli
keep him on, under my eye-at re-
duced salary"
They both chuckled over that. but
Bowyer grew serious quickly. "Weu,
I've fixed Kitty Bostock." he said.
Lord, it's a cinch handling that type
of woman. Once they fancy some
particular man, they'll go through hill
10 get him"
you've told her youll buy her shares
Mt par" he said. "You haven't com
mltted yourself irrevOcably to thatW
Bowyer threw his head back and
emitted one of his short laughs. "Well.
may change my mind" he said. ut
isn't in writing"
Suppose she raises Cain"
''She can't She's In too deep. She
Doesn't know how deep"
Phayre laughed again, but nervously.
II never cared much for this business,
Bowyer," he said. "If Joe Bostock
hadn't died as he did I'd never have
got mixed up with 1t. But that gave
rs our chance. 1t was very lucky
accident. If we weren't committed be-
ssnd recovery, I'd pull out even now"
pull out?" echoed the other. How
he devil can We pull outf The tricks
ane"