Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-09-15
CHAPTER X-Continued.
--12-

back"
she won't. And if she did. and
went down on her knees to him, he
wouldn't look at her."
What do you mean?" asked Kitty
breathlessly.
Bower leaned forward again and
whispered In her ear. Kitty was os
pale as death. How'll that do for
you?" he asked triumphantly.
Kitty rose, trembling. "Ill 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 tlays you-hays the skin off YOU
before you've run your course"
"Pll 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. 1t was some time be-
bore she forced herself to rise. She
went to the window. She guessed that
Bowyer vas 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
y the curtains. Wilton was passing on
the other side Of the road. He held
his head high, yet he walked like a
man who was broken.
Kitty watched him go 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 1t.
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.
h "Carruthers is in town." said the
bank president.
"He is, ehY asked Bowyer, darting
a keen glance at him. when did he
] get imp
Day before yesterday. He was !
subpOenacd on that case"
That's so, Of course" said Bowyer.
"What did they get?"
"Six months apiece"
"NO new light on the murder of our
friend?"
! Nothing. Quain didn't go into that
phase Of the affair at all. He'd ques-
J toned them, and couldn't prove any
thing"
Bowyer fell into a brown study for
q few moments.
"Carruthers been here YETI? he In
Quired presently.
mot vet. He's trying to raise a cool
half-million in town. l 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
Mlssatibi! BY the way, you hit 1t
strong with that cartoon!"
They both laughed, first at the car
toon, then at Bowyer's raillery.
mo more trouble with Clark? ?" asked
Bowyer.
"Not at present. I guess that extra
two hundred squared him. He's a
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 u cucumber,
and looking like a gentleman. You'll
find it hard to beat that combination.
He could have had more than the two
hundred he held me up for"
He's certainly worth it," admitted
Bower. "Whatll you do with him
next year"
"Why, he seems to like the work
here" answered Phayre, laughing. "Ill
keep him on, under my eye-at a re-
duced salary"
They both chuckled wei that, but
Bowyer grew serious quickly. well,
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
TO get him."
you've told her you'll buy her shares
at par" he said. "You haven't com-
mitted yourself irrevocably to that?"
Bowyer threw his head back and
emitted one of his short laughs. swell,
/ may change my mind" he said. ut
isn't in writing"
Suppose she raises Cain?" 7
"She can't She's In too deep. She
doesn't know how Deep"
Phayre laughed again, but nervously. S
az never cared much for this business, S
Rowyer." he said. "If Joe Bostock 4
hadn't died as he did I'd never have
got mixed up with it. But that gave I
MS our chance. 1t was a very lucky s
accident. If we weren't committed be- d
,vond recovery, I'd pull out even now" c
pull out?" echoed the other. "How c
The devil can we pull out? The tricks b
done" 10