The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-01-07

"Mrs. Preston Is away said Pres
ton holly.
Rankin grinned and seated himself
upon the porch. Lets talk like men,"
be said. "How much? How much
for me to go away and never turn up
again?'
"You blackmaiIer-"
"Oh, cut out the adjectives," said
Rankin. 81 guess it's worth five hun
dred to you not to let Dol mean
Mrs. Preston-know. Five hundred
and you don't hear of me again."
Preston thought, his eyes fixed on
Rankin's face. He was in a trap, and
for Dorothy's sake he must submit.
"I'll give you FIVE hundred" he said.
"And--listen. you hound! If ever
see you again I'll kill you. I'm a man
of my word and mean just that"
''That's all right" answered Rankin
easily. give hundred goes"
BE back in an hour" said Pres
ton. land you shall have It,"
An hour later Preston handed RAN
kin his money, and the man shuflied
out of sight along the road. Preston
watched him. He had meant what he
said. For Dorothy's sake he was re-
solved TO kill Rankin II he entered
their lives again.
Rankin. who had lost the five hun
bred in gambling hell. took the Sec
ond amount to the place. He was sure
he could easily get all he wanted out
of Preston. He inquired and learned
that Dorothy would not return for Il
day or two The second five hundred
followed the first.
Rankin did not call at Preston's
house again, Perhaps he had a Turk
ing fear of violence; perhaps his nerve
was not equal to seeing Preston. He
wrote a letter instead, asking for five
hundred more. 1t was letter typical
of such man. now threatening, now
imploring. and winding up with the
statement that he meant to take the
money and go West.
Preston received the letter when he
came home from business. When, he
had read 1t he sat with hardened face.
thinking He saw this blackmailer a
chronic feature of his life. He saw
that in the mans death lay the only
chance for Dorothy's happiness. And
he meant to protect Dorothy at the
cost of his life-or of his soul.
Rankin had asked Preston, ito meet
him on the bridge across the river
a lonely spot in deserted quarter OF
the town. given over only by day to
factory activities. Preston put load
ed revolver into his pocket that night
and walked briskly through the town
until he reached the rendezvous.
AS he stood on the bridge he saw
the ragged figure approaching him
from the low quarter of the town in
which the Parker hotel was situated.
Rankin saw Preston and hurried fese
ward. He stopped a few feet away
and looked at him inquiringly.
81 got your letter." said Preston
calmly.
"Yes," said Rankin, deceived by the
Others manner. II meant to keep my
promise to you. But was slugged
and robbed. And I've got to go West.
and I'm stranded. If / stayed in town
you know I'd be recognized and the
truth would come out"
st would" Preston agreed
'Tve got to get out of town, them"
| said Rankin. you'd better hand over
| that five hundred. and I'll take the
| first train for California in the morn
| ing"
Rankin" said Preston. ''you are
supposed to have died in that train
wreck"
Eyes. but I didn't. so what's the use
| Of talking? asked Rankin with a
sneer, thinking that the other was
! temporizing.
Nobody knows you didn't de-" said
Preston thoughtfully.
| II guess they will soon. If you don't
come across" said Rankin threaten
| ingly.
"You are as good as dead, anyway"
said Preston. as If talking to himself.
SIS five hundred the least you win
take. Rankin?"
mot cent less, and it's that or ex-
posure," answered the other.
There's an alternative"
There is. eh!" demanded Rankin.
'WhatT
/ "This," answered Preston. drawing
the revolver from his pocket and aim
ing it at Rankin's heart.
( He saw the terror in the blackmail-
er's eyes; then. pressing the muzzle
to his breast. he fired. Without a
sound the blackmailer toppled into
the sluggish stream.
Preston dropped in the weapon after
him and walked home.