The Lamar register., 1922-09-20
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"Not exactly. We've fixed things
so that you'll be able to pull out about
Christmas with your full investment,
But suppose Carruthers makes trouble?
Remember. you've done what you did
for his sake as well as your own. You
want to help him go into u more re-
munerative Investment. You knov that
little affair of his is ofr?"
She started violently. and Bowyer
did not need TO await her answer.
That's what ! came to tell you"
he went on. $50 I know we can
count on you 10 smooth things over II
Carruthers begins to wonder. You're
stsnch, thenT
"You can count on me, Mr.. Bowyer,"
answered Kitty. loathing herself and
him But how about yourself7 un-
derstand from you that you were going
slow. hope you're not going too
slowf"
I'm going to speed things up soon,"
he answered. frowning. whats
happened helps things along. l don't
know what the trouble WAS Thought
at first II was one Of those lovers
Quarrels. But it's lasted" His face
grew red. 81 went there" he said
thickly. "shs wouldn't have anything
to say to me. Ordered me OF the
place"
Bowyer leaned forward confidential
Iy. See here, Mrs. Bostock," he said.
IF I get her out of the way-if I
guarantee that VIII Carruthers and
she won't meet again. how'll that suit
your
You've changed your mind about
marryingr'
Maybe yes. Maybe no. I'm not a
marrying man. Nobody is. It's general.
ly an accident-or n trap. But can
promise you there1l be no trouble from
that quarter. Also. that she'll be out
OF the district before winter"
That won't do" said Kitty with
sudden ierceness. "She may come
back"
"She won't. And IL she did. and
went down on her knees to him. he
wouldn't look at her"
What do you menn7" 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. 'I1l stick TO
my word" she said. But you're the
lowest cur I've ever known. Tom
Bowyer. and | hope-I hope some
body fiays you-fiays the skin on you
before you've run your course"
"rll 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
abysmal depths OF sin had opened be-
meath her She was tempted to run
after him and call him back But she
could not stir. II was some time be
bore she forced herself TO rise. She
went to the window. She guessed that
Bowyer was going 10 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 u
man who was broken.
Kitty watched him 90 by. Her heart
was full of pity for him, for his quiI.
otic 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 Phsyre. He went
to the bank: 1t was after hours but
he knew Phayre would be there, await.
Ing him.
"Carruthers is In town." said the
bank president.
He is. ehT" asked Bowyer, darting
a keen glance at him. when did he
get in7"
Day before yesterday. He was
subpoenaed on that case"
That's so, of course" said Bower.
What did they get7''
ask months apiece"
mo new light on the murder OF our
friendT'
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 a brown study for