The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-07
CHAPTER XII. "Hubert-or Herbert. :"

ed to the girl and stationed h1mseIf at her side. facing Trachtman, who was scowling venemously. and who said, Well. you have completed the wreck. with savage emphasis.
 >''It had to be- said the girl wearify, "I could endure the burden no longer
 Trachtman ripped out an oath, ana Penney instinctively stepped between him and Margaret. The movement caught Mrs. Dunton's attention, and she sat up with a start.
 'fWhy, Margaret, what nonsense you've been talking! Of course there's a. Hubert, for here he is! You can say what you please, but he doesn't t vanish
 s'sNot with the suddenness with which he appeared, at Ieast," snarIed Trachtman.
 But it wasn't sudden-that is, we saw his name in the paper and knew he was coming. We looked for him and there he was. I can't guess what you're driving at. It's all a joke - you're trying to tease me. aren't you, Margaret" ?"
 I'm trying to tell you simply the truth. Hubert never existed except in my wicked imagination"
 Then why's he here?" Mrs. Dun tons tone was shril1y impatient.
 ffWhy was he on the steamer? Why did you present him to me? Why did he write that 1etter?"
 "He didn't write it,''
 Mrs. Dunton stared blankly at her protegee. ''You-you say the letter wasn't his? And there wasn't any Hubert? Then who-who is this?''
 There was a. seconds delay in the answer. 'I don't-don't know bhe girl faltered.
 Mrs. Dunton whipped about to Trachtman with unusual swiftness. '"rell me. Roy! You must know!"
 ''Unluckily I don't,'' said her nephew with a shrug. T appreciate the implied compliment, but it's un- deserved. Better go to headquarters for information-ask him.
 Penney cleared his throat m afraid, Mrs. Dunton, IT.
 The girl broke in upon his by no means fluent speech.
 ''It doesn't matter who he is. I'm the offender. the plotter, the traitor. I'm responsible for everything. I must pay the penalty. I want to pay it, to bear the punishme ent. to suffer for my sins. I can't attempt excuses, I can't hope for forgiveness-I don't deserve it. All I can do is to make full con- 1eSSlOl, ana 8O aWdy dIld uloe I1ySe1A somewhere and -"
 An instant their eyes met. This is all true; the other was all a lie"
 Against her will and uncompre- hending Ms. Dunton was forced to believe. Whatever the past might have been, she could not deny the present. Yet she turned again to Trachtman, as one in despair might snatch at 8 single desperate chance.
 tRoy, can trust you. at least. Why does this mean? I beg you for the truth-the truth, on your word of honor!"
 lous heart. T think it has been given you at last" he said gravely.
 A moan burst from the elderly woman's lips. She wrung her hands; her bosom rose and fell with her gasping breathing; the tears. un- checked, ran down her au1ver1ng cheeks.
 ''Margaret-go away and leave me -oh, but you cannot! IT can't live without you; I can't let you go. I've depended on you so-you've been everything to me-n1y world. You've had my love, my care, my trust -
 And I have proved faith1ess!"
 f'But you won't desert me? I don't care what you've done, or say you've done. We'll forget everything, we'll begin anew. Everything shall be aa it was.''
 "No,' said the girl sorrowrully; nothing can be as it was. All the faith you once had would change to suspicion, deserved suspicion. inevit- able suspicion, I must go away-there can be no other course.'
 Pardon an inauiry!'' said Tracht-
 
 of business make it. You are her amount. How do you propose to re- pay her ?"
 Repay me?" Msr. Dunton wiped away her tears, the better to scan her nephew's face. ''Why-why-I don't expect -
 q do. then!" Trachtman broke in. 'I expect the debt to be paid. In fact, I demand that it shall be paid.''
 The girl bowed her head. ftI shall do my best, but I'm afraid it will take a long time."
 Mrs. Dunton's expression was one of blank bewildermen, but Trachtman broke in briskly:
 Here are the cold facts: In three years my aunt has impaired her cap ita1 to the extent of twenty thousand dollars. The money has been spent for Miss Drake or given to her. I re- gret to insist@upon a vulgar consIo- eration of cash, but it can't be avoid ed. Also, as have arranged for the sale of the securities which have been sacrificed. I am an authority on the amount involved. Hence I @n in a position to demand repayment ana restitution of sums procured through fraud. That's the word-fraud. Any court would so hold those acts.''
 It was time for Penney to inter vene.
 Mrs. Dunton.' he said, i've can avoid talk of courts, I think. If you care for my opinion, here it is: There Is a debt justly owed you; but it isn't one of twenty thousand dollars, or half that. It amounts to about sew enty-f1ve hundred dollars, perhaps less, certainly not more."
 What do you know about it 9 Trachtman demanded. "Have you had division of the swag?''
 Penney disregarded the query.
 You should have some idea Of the expen diturea Mrs. Dunton. You've made them, you know"