Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-13
The OUTER GATE
By OCTAVUS ROY COHEN

a sad, tired little smile fitted
you say that, Bob. Of course, we're
engaged. But we don't have to re-
main that way. i Just wanted to
know the truth. / think it's my
right"
You know perfectly we'll I love
you, Kathleen He was tremend-
ously disturbed. Kathleen seemed
always to be saying so much more
than her words. "And we'll get mar
rIed whenever you say. But | can't
see what that has TO do with this
situation"
Il do. Let me explain. l don't
want 10 marry you, dear-unless you
really love me. IL wouldn't be fair
10 either of US. You See" wistfully,
right at this noment you aren't ex-
actly ardent. You are annoyed with
ME. lou resent the intrusion Of our
love into a conversation with deals
with the intense practically Of this
situation. But perhaps In not
fair"
You're noti"
Perhaps. You are sure, though,
that you wish % marry me-"
Certainly"
"Then nat solves a problem for US.
Now listen carefully. Just at this
moment, you are safe. You can do
pretty much anything o like-de-
spite Carmody-so long 40 you are
certain Of Peter Borden's attitude.
Isn't that so:"
~Ie-e-cs.p
Good. Now to another thing:
Perhaps you were surprised tina. ]
didn't uphraid you when you told me
that you Rad stolen this money"
Frankly. l was"
That's becaus, you don't under
stand me. You see, Bob, | would
have been bitterly disappointed if
you had done anything else which
was not honest. But | look at this
thing mucn as you Go. You have a
right TO DO anything TO Borden you
wish. And his attitude is proof that
you and ] are right. | should hate
to think hat you would eve again
steal fro manyone, but ] don't blame
you for what you have done"
He looked at her through narrow
eyes. You really mean that?"
Certainly. Now let's get down to
the practical side of things: You
have 100000 in bonds which are
readily convertible into cash, provid-
ed you are careful. You must get
them away from this city at once.
With that amoun of money you can
20 somewhere-perhaps to the Pacific
coast-and live in safety and COM
fort for the rest of your life. Borden
has virtually made you a present Of
the money. No one will ever touch
you. And il is my idea"-she hest
tated a moment, and a warm flush
suffused her cheeks-"it is my IDEA
that we might 60 west together, take
the bonds with us-and get married
Immediately"
She ceased speaking and somehow,
ALTHOUGH her eyes looked into his, he
fancied that she did not see him. He
was frowning, trying to think, and
succeeding not at all.
you propose that / take these
bonds. 70 west with you, maryland
live for the rest Of our lives on this
money!" He was ineredulous-and
showed IL.
"Ycs. We can use that money to
establish a decent, honest business.
Il is your money. You've earned 1t.
You have taken what even Borden
admits you had a right 10 take. The
only thing to be considered is-do
you care to marry me now"
Fierce doubt assailed him. He was
torn between amazement and a desire
20 settle his problem once and for
al. Anything was better than this
m~addening uncertainty.
"Ill co it, Kathleen. OF course
"Good."
"When?"
Her spo was ready; she was
almost too ready. Bob was annoyed
and disappointed.
"You haven't much time. Just two
days. Borden will then report to the
directors that he cannot recover the
bonds. If you are still in the city,
you will be arrested"
Are you sure?"
Positive"
"But if they are watching me that
close-and If what 0 say about
Carmody is true-wont they stop me
If | try to get away"
1--WE thought Of that. too. Ny idea
Is this: Tomorrow morning you are
TO get the bonds from wherever you
have hidden them. Wrap them
plainly in brown paper and bring
them TO me"
NHtIt.
Anywhere. Not in the office. Of
course. Ill meet you for lunch.
Right here. Meanwhile. ] will have
packed my grips. and I'll leave on
the four o'clock afternoon train for
Chicago. You can join me there and
We can discuss plans for going west.
Perhaps we'll be married in Chicago
and make the trip together. Per-
haps well wait until we get TO the
coast" She seemed so unnecessarily
coid-blocded. AT any rate, they
won't suspect that ! have the bonds
--ard # they should stop you at the
station, you'll have nothing there to
i~rcrinainate you As soo as we
reach whatever city we decide on,
we'll put the bonds away-just a
YOU have them hcre-and convert
them into cash a little at a time. IL
IS really quite simple, don't you
Think"
We hesitated. "yery-the way you
tell it,"
"The only important point IS
whether you are sure You care 70
marry me- She seemed very in
sistent. "If YOU do, | think we had
Better 20 right ahead"
4 single irrelevant thought came
., The Young ma and hammered on