Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-16


II must warn you TO be rsasonabls-to control
yourself
But she stood over Robert Battle. staring down
In angry contempt
Tim nudsed Arthur whats become Of his
wife, She amt sitting there any mere
NO Lock over against the WALL She tuss
stepped aside"
"But she's standing right by that other onei"
"ouser. Yes. thought she would"
'Theyrs holding hands nowl Am I going out
o. my head7 Tell me, old sport' Do yeu see
what seeT"
"Yss It's perfectly natural"
"Natursi7 But. good Cod It's sot me all uh'
settled. I'm forgetting what I come up here
to do"
THAT IL good"
They could hear Robert asking--in that un'
even voice. as II he were choking little
what do you want. Sinaf'
"You know what WANT cried the woman
20. you've eyaded me! You've lodged and lied'
I've been tricked around by that man. your
jackai-the kings jaekal'" She was pointing AZ
Frank Hildreth. "No. viii not be quiet I'm
through with tha,--throush with being fooled
I'm going TO tell ali New York now
"who Ia she?" asked Tim. shrewdly studying
the tenseiy beautiful figure. the bazlngly beau
tifui face. the exauisitely dramatic hands thst
gave added meaning TO every word she uttered.
Its Nina Bernice. the dancer"
"You don't say! Why. I've seen her--up to
the New Amsterdam. Some class. I'll"
BE stiil Now's the time he needs his friends
We may have to go over there
mot me. I'm no friend o. his"
SSH"
Robert was struggling In that odd way In his
chair; trying to RISE plainly.
you know what want" Nina Bernice was
crying. Just one million dollars! Put II to
my credit at the bank tomorrow morning and
you'll seal my lips Fail me, and I'll sell these
Ieft ~ ha In New
She waved a packet. II may go down. but II
do you'll go with me-"
"You are a common adventures" said Frank
Hidreth. sternly.
"when / want a lawyers opinion buy IT,"
she retorted.
you are disturbing him at time when the
entire business fabric hangs on the name and
character OF five men. OF whom Robert Battle
Is one. Pushing your miserable claim when
there is hardly solvent bank in New York"
She repeated contemptuousy the one word
Character"
Look" muttered Tim. catching at Arthurs
elbow. His wife,"
Mary had wandered from the side Of the
nameless girl and was moving slowly. gropngly.
about the room with hands outstretched
She's saying somethng!"
"S-sh"
They watched and listened; family they caught
these words
"Robert-Tm trying to find you, Robert. It's
growing very dark"
One Of the telephones rang.
Tim started and again caught at Arthurs
elbow. THAT thing like to "a scared me to
DEATH"
This tension is very great, Of course But
keep still. See-he's answering the phone! He
yes-he's getting out of his chair!"
Frank Hildreth turned again on Nina Bernice.
"Mr. Battle will pay you quarter Of mil
lion now-tonight."
"A round nlillion!"
"Yes-yes-yes!" This was Robert standing
solidly by the table. the telephone in
strument in his hands. Frank, the executor Of
the Williams estate, is dumping 1900 shares Of
Battle Shipping on the market tomorrow morn
Ing! Quick, get Harvey Deane on the other
phone! Right there! Main two-two- four -eleven!"
Hildreth gave in the number; then pressed the
against bis shoulder. "Bob." he
asked, low, crisply what did Battle Shipping
close at tonight?"
Down 16 points," replied Robert, grimly.
Everything else is way off, of course. There's
no market You can't buy that stuff in, not
possibly"
Certainly can!'
I'm Gods name, how?"
Sell everything own personally. Take the
oss. There's that much market. And can
Mortgage this house before noon"
But your standing? Your credits"
were past all that. International Worsted
vent under this afternoon"
mo! Why. thought"
They're gone. We're not sure yet about the
Jpmann banks; they may 60 tomorrow"
"Tomorrow-good God! Here's Deane now!"
Tell him." Robert was the master now:
lis square frame seemed to tower heroicalIy
boye a surge of panic stricken lesser folk as
ne orders came swapping from his firm lips
It's the deflation." Arthur explained to Tim.
The war prices have cracked I never saw
ne OF these big men under fire before And
e's big one! Take my word for 1t. they'll
ever lick him!"
Il never this side Of him myself" unused
i'm.
Nina Bernice tapped the floor impatiently.
"Well," she queried, "how about me?"
"You?" During brief moment Robert
onsdered her you are nothing You may
llk or keep silent You may stay or CO."
She stared: but he was busy again. Then she
ame rushing to Arthur and Tim.
did you hear what he said to me?" she
asped.
Arthur sensitively but firmly, averted his
ice. But Tim cried. hotly: you're in all
rong, sister! You'd better just fade out!"
You. too? Surely you're with me Tim!'
mot for a minute! Act on, cutie, but don't
Ike me for your audience!
He'll hear from mel" she cried.
"Silence there!" called Frank Hildreth
Very well. I'll 60 But he'll hear from me.
leres one thread that'll never break. Never!"
THE scarlet thread always breaks" said
rthur facing her now
She moved irresoutey toward the door.
1t was Tim who cried out so sharply that all
rned; and then all rushed to the corner,
here he knet by the inert figure Of Mary
nd then Robert held her shoulders and head
his arms while tears fell from his bewildered
es. And through the hush they could hear
g throaty sound of a voice still speaking in
e telephone
Standing in the doorway, Nina Bernice
ughed
HE has heard from me-" she said, harshIy.
We killed all he ever had Of her."
And directly back of her. in the shadow,
ephens wringing his hands and saving
nd rbap