Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-06-29

Nonsense! That's n-nothlng-
nothing serious" Nelson's rudy
color had slowly vanished; with I'M
certain hand he reached for the
nearest chair, and upon it he lean
ed as he continued, jerkily: 'Ir-
regular, perhaps-Tll admit it was
irregular, but-there's nothing
wrong-Oh, you'll make it look as
bad as possible, | dare say! But
you don't understand the circum-
stances. Anyhow, father is getting
it Strengthened out; all he needs is
time. Wen be able to handle it, all
right. We're good, you know, per-
fectly good"
You're broke! Everybody else
knows it, if you don't. Irregular!
Hal There's a choice of wordsw
The speaker laughed silently. at is
an irregularity that carries with it
free board and lodging at the state
expense"
An incoherent protest issued
from Nelson's throat. When next
he managed to make himself au-
dible, his words were such as really
to amaze his hearer. Il didn't do
it," he cried, in a panic-stricken
voice. at was fathers idea! You
had us crodwed-there was no 9th
er way. | warned him"
"Wait a minute! You blame it
on him?" Gray's inquiry was harsh
incredulous. After a momentary
pause his lips moved, but for once
he stammered, his ready tongue
refused its duty. he exploded, fin
ally, with an oath; he jerked open
a drawer in his desk. From his
pocket he removed his revolver,
flung it inside, then jammed the
drawer back into place with a
crash ."You-ratw he exclaimed.
He turned his. back upon Nelson
and made acircuit of the little
room.
It's thing you an l can easily
fix up" the latter feebly insisted.
Now that personal matter of yours
Perhaps | could help you reopen
it somehow, clear it up"
"Ah! Indeedw Z.
Give and take, l say. Pm will
ing to do anything / can, if"
you'll lido that, anyhow" Gray
replied, in a voice that grated. He
flung himself into his desk chair
and Selling pen and paper, he be-
gan o write rapidly, shakily.
Il want to see what I'm sign
ing Nelson warned. A growl was
his answer.
For an interminable time the
only sound in the office was the
scratching Of that pen. When at
last it came to an end, Gray rose,
thrust the | Qose sheets into Mel
sons hand, then indicating the
vacant chair said:
Sign thatp'
The wretched recipient of this
curt command read the lines care
fully. He read twice, thrice, for
his mind no longer functioned
clearly. H raised a sick face, fin
ally and shook his head.
Wouldn t be q fool?" he
LN,ca, you Gray's body was
shaking, his words weer uneven.
"I'm sorry for Bell, but not for
you. I'll never forget nor forgive
what you did to me. Nothing can
undo that. Disgrace clings to
man. You're going to get yours,
now, and you can't squirm out of
it, or lie out of it, no matter how
you try, for l shan't let you
You're ruined, discredited, blown
up, but don't think l want to
send you to the penitentiary. I'd
rather s ee you walking the streets
with dandruff on your collar. I'd
rather keep you to look at. Any
how, you'll have to sign that"
If you'll guarantee to keep this
bank matter quiet-if you'll pro-
tect me, I'll sign. 'Otherwise, you
can go to hell. Wen beat it out
somehow. We c an do it."
lnflexibly Gray asserted: Pm
going to turn you over, whether
or no. But I'll help Bell get the
money to repay those loans. He'll
probably manage to save himself
and-save you, too"
Like a man fighting some hyp-
motto influence stronger than his
will, Henry Nelson took up the
pen and signed his name wavering-
ly. The next moment Gray smote
the door to Briskow's office
heavy blow and, as it flew open, he
barked;
"Come in here! All three of
your he stood aside as Gus, Ben