Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-14

ing the money away from him, 40
body knows where II is
Captain Francis NewCombe was
staring at the bushes that fringcd
the Veranda.
on" he said quietly. THAT puts
quite a different complexion on the
matter. didn't understand. |
gathered fIom your letter that the
money was more or less always in
evidence. In fact. l think you said
he showed it to you-u half million
dollars in cash
SO he did,' Polly answered;
but that's the only time l ever saw
it. and / don't think even Dora has
ever seen II more than once or twice.
He has got it hidden somewhere, of
course; but as it would be the very
worst thing in the world for him to
get the idea into his head that any
one was watching him in an effort
to discover his secret, Dora has been
very careful to show no signs OF
interest in it. Doctor Dacmer warn
ed her particularly that any sus-
picion aroused in her fathers mind
would only accentuatc the disease.
Oh. guardy, it's terribly sad case;
and insanity is such Il horrible
strange thing. He never seems to
Polly was still talking. Captain
Francis Ncwcombe inclined his head
from time to time in assumed in
terest. He was no longer listening.
Polly, the beauty of the night, his
immediate surroundings, were, for
the moment, cXtraneous things. His
mind was at work. Incredible
luck. The problem that had
troubled him, that he had never
really solved. that he had indeed
finally decided must he left to cir
Cumstances as he should find them
here and be then governed thereby.
was now solved in n manner that
far exceeded anything he could
possibly have hoped for. To obtain
the actual possession OF the money
from u fiddle Drained old idiot had
never bothered him--that was
very simple matter. But to get
away with the money after the rob
berry had been committed had not
appeared SO simple. The circle
would be none too wide. lie must
emerge without u breath OF suS-
picion having touched HIM Not so
simple, There would have been
way, of course: wits and ingenuity
would have supplied it-but that
had been the really intricate part
of the undertaking. And now in
credible luck. He had naturally
assumed that the household knew
where the old mailman kept his
money; naturally assumed that
there would he a bcastly fuss and
uproar over its disappearance-bu
now there would be nothing of the
kind. Ii might take few days to
solve the old fools secret. but in the
main that would be, childs play:
after that II by any unfortunate
chance an accident happened to Mr..
Jonathan l.. Marlin, the where
abouts of the money would forever
remain n myStcrN-saNc to one
captain Francis NewCombe. No one
could. or would, be accused of hav-
ing taken it,
- GuarJy. YOU quite under
stand. don't you?' ended Polly
Wickes.
Captain Francis Newcombe smiled
at the upturned. serious face.
quite, Polly. Quite" he answer
say. 1t must he very hard. indeed.
on Miss Marlin. l am SO sorry for
her. | wish there We're something
We might do. Your being here must
nave been a blessing to her"
The color stole into Polly Wickes'
cheeks.
"Guardy. you're dear" she
whispered.
Am Il" he said-and took
possession Of her hand.
What Il soft, cool little palm it
was! What an enhancing little
figure; Who would have dreamed
that Polly would develop into so
lovcly-no, not lovely-damn it, She
y
lion. Why Locke? Curse Locke,
The eyes and lips OF a dream wo-
man, he had said; a half million
both his for the taking. Did ne ask
sim more He was not so sure
about Locke having her. No. it,
wasn't the night drugGing his senses
anu sleeping his soul in fanciful
possession Of desires. Il was real
Ii it pleased him, he had only 10
take, to drink his fill to satiation Of
this goblet of the gods. There was
nothing TO stay him. He had build
ed for II, and he was entitled to II.
II wasn't chance. Chance, There
was strange laughter in his heart
nance was the playground Of fools,
why shouldn't he laugh. ave. and
boastinsly, Who was to denv him
what he would: this woman if he
wanted her. the
He stood suddenly like a man daz-
ed and stunned. lie let fail the
girls hand. Was he mad. insane
his mind unbalanced: was reason
gone? 1t had come out of the night
4 hooking thing a voice that jeered
and rocked with wild mirth.
His eyes met Polly's. She was
startled, her face had
gone little white.
Imagination? AS he Mad irar ine,1
that night in his cabin on boar!
ship" y voice of his own creation?
No; It came again now. Earring
crashing, Jangling through the still
ness OF the night:
Shadow Varne, Shadow yarne,
Ha, ha! Ha, ha," 1t rose and fen:
now almost a scream: now hoarse
With wild untrammeled laughter.
Shadow Narne' Shadow Varne, |
Ha, ha! Ia, ha!" And then like a /
ong. drawn out eCrie cali: |
Shade Naarne."
And then the soft whispering Of /,
he leaves through the trees. and no /
)ther sound.
What is it. What is it?" Polly (,
'ried out. What a horrible voice!"
Captain Francis Newcombe's hand !