Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-12-04


There Ia name here. This after
noon, within an hour after this bank
II closed-before four O'Clock. to be
exact, twenty thousand dollars, In
cash, must be placed In the hands OF
this person, and the indictment against
Loring will be dropped
Ernestine was very pale. "A bribe?"
she said, her throat dry. "But that's
wrong"
He was very gentle.
Wrong, yes-no doubt. But we are
ut a place nowhere 1t Is the lesser
evil, which must be chosen-not right
or wrong. A bribe-ugly word. Yes,
there is regular scale OF prices for
indictments. This money must be
spread. 1t will take twenty thousand
dollars to do it. You have the money.
/ take a great risk upon myself-this
talk. this name, this opportunity, but
l wished you to have It,"
He beamed upon her now-pleased
as a child who has been good and
waits for praise. Ernestine was very
agitated.
How do you know have this
money!
II am a directer in this bank-you
have there"
"But that money is for WILL I've
been saving it for nearly two years.
/ can't give that money for Loring.
It's WIS"
III not pay for Lorlng," said Pas
tano sternly, and he shrugged, his
face altered, hard. "Why should II?
You can-if you won't, he's sunk
that's ALL
mo, no." cried Ernestine, mot that
mot Wits money. | won't do it,
Ruby. can't. Loring will have to 60
down in his own wreckage. Why
should ! pay a bride for him? Why
should rob win of his very chance,
for Loring? This isn't just money
this is Wits future-his peace, his
happiness-this is my marriage-this
money
K.
She could feel in him disappointment.
He was disappointed In her! He,
monster that he was. dared to Judge
herl
"You see she said desperately,
"Will isn't always going to be a car
toonlst. He's going to do something
else. He hasn't any sense about
money. | learned about money when
we were poor, but VIII has never
learned. He's extrayagant, foolish.
found out long ago that If he had fifty
cents in his pocket or fifty dollars, 1t
was all the same to him. And then
| discovered that Will wanted to be
an artist, that he wanted to work In
colors, that he hated the cats. And
] began 10 save. I've kept up front
on small amount Of money | snent
less than twelve thousand dollars last
year, and VIII earned thirty thousand
But it's been for Will. I'm not nat
urally economical, or close. but did
1t for Will"
Perhaps VIII would want you to
do this--ask him."
Perhaps he would. 1t would be
like him to throw away his chance for
Loring. But VIII doesn't know I've
got this money Nobody knows, ex-
cept the bank clerks. I thought d saw
ings account was private matter.
VIII has studio down near here-4zff
he could study--if he could 20 to
Paris"
Il know" said Pastano. He rents
his workroom from me- I've seen
some of his stuff. Wel-Lorinx can
go to Jail then, for all Of me- and IL
you are subpenaed into court, to ties.
tify about things that happened at
Langley lake three summers ago, don't
say didn't warn you"
He sighed. His eyes were sad and
tired. The tears sprang down Ernes-
tines cheeks.
Don't think ] don't appreciate this
Il know that you endanger yourself
your very life-by talking to me.
AhoW Chodth aboul I'LL Ills 10 KNOW
what you are doing--it's generous. but.
oh, Ruby, 1t is viii ! love-Win, all
the time"
Your sister" he objected.
"Why should l sacrifice win for
Loring and Lillian" she said passion.
ately. 1T will take me long time to
accumulate this money again. And
simply to give it away--to send II ont
blindly, and not even know where It
goes! Loring has always hated Will
has tried to harm him. And now Won
ask me to give up Wills chance He
can't wait forever. His gift will die.
he'll go stale"
@Loring has loved you. Ernestine."
She stopped her incoherent speech.
She looked at him with dark eyes, and
her face grew very pale.
THAT time" Pastano said, when
you were ill-when Elaine was born,
we would not have found you, II it had
not been for Loring."
But VIII found me-" she quasered.
"Yes-after Loring had torn the
town up-had organized a search
had warned me. viii would still be
wandering about Sheridan Park. And