The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-08-22

him.
These alcoves in the Trevor were
furnished with broad benches whose
cushions would accommodate two
persons on each side of the table.
The girl and the man sat, as though
for the extreme of privacy that the
recess afforded, against the wall, OPP
nositc each other. There was plenty
of room for me beside the youth, but
not much welcome.
l raised hand to stop his angry
eXpostulation.'
81 want to talk to you," l said
CURLY.
The anger died out of his face. to
be replaced by grimness hardly
credible in one SO young.
eff you try to arrest me here, I'll
kill you first" he said quietly.
smiled at him. do look like a
detective?" l asked
"lf you're not, why do you intrude
upon u.s." he demanded.
"Tm friend" told him.
81 never saw you before in my
life" he asserted.
The girls face lost the expression
of horror that the youths words had
brought to it. She reached across the
table and touched his hand.
Let him explain, Frank" she
pleaded. at can do no HARM"
7 bowed to her. turned to the
boy.
she's worth dying for,' / told
him. Equally, worth living for
"Your opinions are undesired and
imrertinent," he said.
kindlest," I retorted. young man,
don't be fool. Men in fear of ar
rest, and threatening suicide, are
silly to think of conventions. Look
at me. Do I seem the sort to do an
unconventional thing without rca-
SOM"
LET me hear your reason" he re-
piled.
81 have been watching you two
people" I said. "Passing by your
table I heard ou,"-and / looked at
the girl,-"ask him not to kill him
self. Here is danger. Am l such
coward that l must refuse to obey
the ordinary dictates of humanity
and save life?'
The young man sneered. "Strang
ers give their lives for strangers,
but not their money"
"How much ?" asked.
"Ten thousand dollars,' he replied.
81 suppose you have that much in
your pocket?"
81 have" told him calmly. AS a
matter of fact, I had at least three
times that amount in cash upon my
person. Also, l had, in letters of
credit and in securities that would be
as readily negotiable in Australia as
they were in New York, something
like three hundred thousand dollars
more.
"And suppose that inasmuch as
you would risk your life to save Il
drowning man, you will gladly hand
me over the ten thousand dollars"
His lack of belief was understand
able.
"Wait a Bit" l suggested. Before
| leap into the river to save the
drowning man, I must assure myself
that he is really in danger, not mere
ly hysterical from fright"
The boys eyes were contemptuous,
but the girl anticipated his refusal
Explain to him, Frank" she
pleaded. at can do no harm. He is
not detective.'
I bowed to her. "Thank you," l
said.
"I'm thief" he said harshly, fac
ing me squarely.
/ nodded. "And discovery"
SIS certain by tomorrow morning."
he declared.
1 glanced around the restaurant.
The hour was late. Most of the pa
irons had left. I produced a pocket
book. From it l withdrew twenty
five-hundred-dolla bills.
His eyes widencd; whistle of
amazement came through his clench-
ed teeth.
"Do you suppose can accept such
a gift - he whispered, as though the
sight Of the money had hurt his vocal
cords.
"Is death easier?" I inquired.
"You're about twenty-five,' /
guessed. LET us assume that | did
not always have pocketbook filled
with money. Let us suppose that if
a stranger had been my friend, had
done for me what I am Offering you,
that-well, there might have been a
girl, as there is a girl with YOU" l
heard my voice grow gruff and
harsh. "Take it and live, or refuse
and die. Do have to beg you to &C
cept what do not need 2"
(Cnn+inuod IL Our Novf ISsuo\