Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-13

~panionship: Todd Shannon lowered
IN the background to advise in his
heavy, numbering way, and John
Carmody had used him as a tool!
Others had thought for him until
he was too dazed and bewildered to
think for himself. His victory had
come, and it was hollow. He was
to marry kathleen-and he felt no
surge of pleasure at the idea. She
agreed that he was justified in what
he had done-and he was disappoint-
ed.
He told himself bitterly that he
was a fool and an ingrade. This
magnificent girl was offering her
self to him on his own terms. At
IL was r~eassuring 10 feel that she
would be with him always.
He experienced a sudden burst Of
love for her. He leaned across the
table and took her hand.
Tomorrow, dear-well leave here.
And in Chicago well be married."
She tried to control her voice.
You'll meet me here-at this table
at noon? And you'll have the
bonds"
"Yes." His voice trembled. "And
well be married in Chicago, Kath-
leen. I'm so happy"
She turned her face from him.
She didn't want him to see the tears
IN her eyes. And she didn't want
him to know that she knew he was
lying.
At eleven o'clock Bob Terry left
the bank vaults and moved into the
street. In his left hand he carried
a folded newspaper. and in that
newspaper was a parcel containing
100000 in negotiable bonds.
he hurried along. head bent, eyes
restless. Kathleen had succeeded in
frightening him, and the bonds
which burned through the newspaper
TO the damp palm of his hand SEEM
ed 20 threaten him with those tor
lures of the spirit which he Rad
endured through three age-long
years.
Just at the moment he was not
worried about the right and wrong
Of his act. He had speculated IN
on that until he could think no
longer. His only emotion now was
one OF terror. Suppose someone
should touch him on the shoulder
AID discover the bonds in his posses.
sion! Small benefit Borden's con-
fession would be then. And IL what
katherine said were true, all of
Carmody's terrible power would be
employed TO make his sentence
heavy. He s~huddered.
For the first time since leaving
prison, ne placed a true value o.
MS freedom. At first he had ac-
eepted 1t as a fact, scarcely under
standing the miracle. But now that
ne was IN danger, he saw for The
tirst time that there was a price
too great to pay Tor that freedom.
Es remembered the daily break
fasts, the dank acknowledgements
cell blocks, the march to the mills.
the eternal clackety-clack of sbuttIes
the drab, hopeless, monoton,ps
prison routine; the squinty eyes and
twisted faces of his daily ac-
q~uaintaaees! His whole body
cringed.
He wanted to throw the bonds
away; to rid himself once and for
an OF their menace. Yet, after All.
II was SZOO,O0O, and one does NOT
throw such an amount into the gut
Ter. de chung to the package and
ounte the creeping minutes.
AT ten minutes before the an
pointed hour he was IN the res
taurant. 1t vas virtually empty: a
lew patrons sat here and there. bu,
the room rush had not vet started
de selected the same table he and
hathleen had occupied the dav before
and sat pressing the heel of one foot
on the toe of the other, left hand
-cIenched tightly over the package of
bonds. His eyes moved restlessly
ABOUT the modest place; he feared
20 see Carmody or Peter Borden or
whispering Willie Weaver. Or Ed
die Mulcahy, Carmody's gumshoe
man.
Kathleen Shannon was at the tab.s
before he knew she was in the
place, and he flashed her a startled
glance. She smiled re~assuringly.
Have you the bonds, Bob ?"
He showed them toward her.
They're in that newspaper" Then,
For Gods sake, be careful, Kath-
leen."
u won't lose them"
i don mean that. mean I'm
afraid to have the things around. I've
suffered this morning"
Regret"
Il don't know. Really I don't.
Maybe It is a regret and maybe its
fear. You scared me. | don't want
you to become involved in this mess"
Don't worry, Bob" Her voice
was cheerful, her eyes unnaturally
bright. Everything viii work out
all right"
you have packed"
ayes"
We marry in Chicago"
You're sure that is what you
want. Bob?"'
"0f course"
Whatever you wish" He no.
ticed that her cheeks were color
less.
The waiter appeared and they or
dered- And because they were both
under terrific strain. they chatted
with assumed lightness. The place
was filling; there was a steady
scraping Of chairs. the sound of feet,
the clatter Of crockery and silver
ware. He saw Kathleen reach
across the table. transfer the parcel
Of bonds from the newspaper to the
bag she carried, then fold the news