Catoctin clarion., 1923-02-22
That Was the
Last Straw
By MORRIS SCHULTZ
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60. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)

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$,.......-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
GO. 1928. Western Newspaper union.)
Lucius Briggs walked heavily out OF
the directors meeting. His look was
complacent enough, his step was firm,
his farewell suave, bu. he knew that
in an hour the story Of his ousting
from the company would be all over
the Street. 1t meant final defeat.
His enemies had downed him and
swept away the elaborate but always
tottering financial structure that he
had reared He had still all the money
he required, but the dream Of wealth
and fame had been shattered-at his
age, sixty, probably forever.
He was rejecting as he went back
to his Office that they could live very
nicely on twelve thousand year. He
thought Of retiring. Only the love of
the game still possessed him.
He loved his Office and the force he
had built up. They had all been so
loyal. He was thinking Of this as he
touched his bell for his stenographer.
Miss Wilson came in. She had. been
with him FIVE years, and he paid her
sixty dollars a week. She was indis.
pensable.
"Well, Mary. they beat me-" he said.
Miss Wilson shuffled her feet nerv-
ously. "Oh, Mr.. Briggs, shall be
leaving you the end Of the month";"
she said.
He looked at her in surprise '"Get-
ting married?"
mo" she blurted out, "T'm going to
work for Adams & Co."
A silence followed. Then, 'YOu sold
me out?" he asked coldly.
She did not answer.
"All right, Miss Wilson. Ask the
cashier for three months bonus. You
needn't show up again. Mono thanks
or explanations, please"
When she had gone he reflected that
bigger men had gone down to defeat
from trusting in woman. He
shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, boy, it's all in the days
work." he said.
He went out of the Office. On the
way he met Tllton, his cashier.
"Well, they got US, Tilton," he said.
Tilton cleared his throat. "NIr.
Briggs, II want to say I've had an
offer from"
"Oh, 60 ahead, 60 ahead, Tilton.
Take IT," said Briggs. "I'll see you
get three months salary"
He walked out of the office whis-
tling. At precisely that hour his
chauffeur met him every day to drive
him out to his country home. Today
the chauffeur was there without the
car.
''Mr. Briggs, the car-accident-
hopelessly wrecked"
"Oh, that's all right, Williams" said
Mr.. Briggs. Accidents will happen.
I'll dnd the trolley a change"
On the long ride out he was reflect
ing on the good dinner that Elizabeth
would have waiting for him. After
the days work dinner made him feel
like a king. He was so absorbed in
these reflections that he reached home
almost before he knew 1t.
As he was about to get out Of tie
trolley 1t Started suddenly, precipitat-
ing him face downward in the mud.
The car stopped, the conductor and
motorman ran to pick him up. His
face was bruised, his arm wrenched,
his suit completely crusted with mud
They were profuse and humble.
"Oh, that's all right" said Briggs
cheerfully. "T guess you fellows will
take more care next time. No, I'm
not going to complain to the COM
pany."
he walked up the hill. To his sur
prise It was his wife who opened the
door. She looked pale and agitated; /;
she did not seem to notice his appear
ance.
"Lucius, something dreadful's hap
psned. Dolly's eloped with the Eng
lish footman. She's left note. They're
on their way to Bermuda for honey
moon. I tried to get you on the tele-
phone. Oh, It's so dreadful"
swell, now, don't know as to that"
Lucius answered. "He seemed an edu-
Gated young fellow, and If they were
in love with each other"
"Lucius, how can you stand there
and say that2 It's the most awful
things ever happened"
"Well, it's happened now," an
swered Lucius. Dinner ready, my
love?"
Dinner? How can you think Of
dinner? Cooks in Mysteries, because
he was engaged to her, and"
"What, no dinner" shouted Lucius.
T haven't thought of 1t. Lucius.
why are you looking at me like that"
he made no answer, but dashed like
q madman into the house. The door
Of his study banged behind him. Five
minutes later, after repeated tappings,
his wife opened 1t.
Lucius Briggs lay face downward In
a pool of blood, his hand still clutch
ing the handle of his automatic.
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