The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-02
His Little
Paradise
By MORRIS SCHULTZ

By MORRIS SCHULTZ j.
LHcius Griggs, president Of the
Ninth National bank, was smiling
as he sped in his car along the pike
at four in the morning. He had
already put twenty-eight miles be-
tween himself and Royceville, and
had plenty Of time to catch the lin
tied.
In his suitcase he had q hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, which
he had distracted from the bank
vaults. There had been not the
!. slightest difficulty about 1t. He had
sent the Waterman away on some
well-reasOned errand, had abstract
ed the money, and walked out. The
theft would not be discovered until
eight o'clock. Plenty Of timei Oh,
|, plenty Of timel
He was thinking Of the little par.
: adise he had planned for himself
IN Europe. At the same time he
knew that II he had the chance, he
would replace the money and 60
back to Royceville.
But that was impossible. for he
could not send old Martin away
again, at five In the morning.
Five o'clock-slx. It was grow.
Ing light. Griggs was heading for
a mountainous district, beyond
which lay the large town where he
meant to catch the train. He saw
another car approaching the single
road from the Royceville direction.
The two roads Joined into one that
went straight through the pass. :.
And as he watched it a singular
fear began to come over him that
this car was in pursuit Of him.
1t was foolish idea, only it was
going at such rate-and why
should anyone be travelling from
Royceville at that hour Of the morn
ing?
Moreover, It looked to Grlggs as
II the two cars would reach the
fork of the two roads simultane-
ously.
Making his calculations, Griggs
slowed down. He wanted the other
car to get ahead of him. Then he
would be able to shake of that
absurd fear Of his.
To his dismay the other car be
gan to slow down perceptibly, too
Thereupon Griggs threw on speed
The other car slowed down still
more. .
Griggs became frantic. 1t wa.
evident now that the other car was
in pursuit of him and wanted hin
to be first at the pass. He SLOWED
down still more, and the other car
after making transparent efforts t.
maneuver, threw In burst o.
speed.
The result of all this maneuver
ing was that the two cars seemed
likely to reach the pass together
Griggs began to crawl. He wa
wiling to face his pursuerA 1
necessary, but he was not going t
get ahead Of them and be at thel
mercy.
He saw red. He was desperate
frenzied. He no longer cared wha
happened. He saw, his little para
disc melting away. Why had h
been such fool as to steal tn
money?
He would have given all tn
world If he could have been happil
back at his home in Royceville a
o. the evening before.
The second Scar was rapidly ar
preaching the fork of the road!
After a moments indecision, 1t sue
denly made a squirt. reached tn
intersection Of the two roads an
stopped. Griggs saw the two d.
tectlves in it. and he no longe
doubted.
And, filed with madness. h
made a wild dash toward 1t. II
saw the two men stand Mp. hear
cries of alarm. saw their futile e
fort to draw out of the way. an
then, with shout Of triumph, h
h. had driven his machine full into
There Vas a SMASHING and spin
ering of chassis and tonnea]
Griggs was whirled high into tn
air. Yet even In that last desperat
moment he was aware OF a thir
car with two men seated IN 1t. al
- preaching at wild speed alon
the road behind him.
He opened his eyes to And bin
self looking Mt the interior decor'
lions of his bedroom. At first tt
events Of the night seemed on
like wild dream. Then he rennen
bered.
He groaned. OF course they ha
: brought him to his home, und'
guard. He was being healed.
stand his trial. He waA, ruined, al
graced, and the penitentiary loome
before him.
The nurse was bending over hir
t0Hush! You mustn't try to tai
You are too brave man to impel
your recovery"
aYou must tell me !"
He listened incredulously to h
story of the bank robbers who hi
blown the empty safe after n
departure and fled in their car, 4
his own heroic act In sending Ma
tin away because he suspected.
his pursuit and capture Of the 70
bers and the money single-hande
He sank back TREMENDOUSLY on Il
pillow. The little paradise WI
here, in ROyceville, after all.
&c. 1898. Western Nswspauer Union.
). The Missing
Tho11cond