Nogales international., 1934-07-07

with the fact that he has stolen fifteen thou
sand dollars from the bank where he works
to help, the loveliest woman IN the ne n world a
turn it. but | love her." declares Roddy
to his angry father 'Id steal tor her, ia
die for her" "a pretty story" shouts
heart, you've disgraced your father and
your sister-your young sister. Look at
her, a girl in the morning OF hfe-Wirh
thief for brother!"
/ NozU 90 on aVith the story.
"Roddy-my son, my sox!'
He recoiled violently. My God,
what was l going to do? I" he
turned stupidity, blindly, cropping for
the door. "I'd better go out now and
hang myself" He groaaed.
| ooh, my boy, my poor boyT his
mother cried after him, trying to
reach him, trying to hang on to him
with mother hands that never give
up.
But he did not look at her, he fum-
bled at the lock Of the long French
window, found it and, tearing it open.
he walked out over the sill like blind
man. They heard the soft thud OF his
plunge to the ground below.
Mrs. Gordon's sobs came in gasps.
ooh, William, what have you done 7
You've driven your own boy crazy
he-he'll kill himself-I've got to stop
him, I've got to-I-" She was ac-
tually at the window herself now, try
ing to climb out.
: But Nancy caught her, thrusting
her back with firm young hand. I'll
go. Stay here! I'll go-I'll stop him
leave it to mel" She pushed her
back gently, looking over her head at
her father.
i The light outside was ghostly; white
squares of ground with black shadows
etched where, in the daytime, there
were tall shrubs and hemlocks.
+ Nancy stood still, too, rooted to the
ground, listening, her heart in her
throat. Then she heard the faint
crunch of gravel in the path behind
the lilac hedge. Roddy was there, Of
course, she might have known it !! She
fled lightly, making no sound, in his
direction and overlook him at the end
Of the garden; it opened there
through a broken gate-on the river
meadow.
II "Roddy," she called to him. 'Roddy
wait! II
He stopped short and turned. the
moonlight whitening his haggard
young face.
:, Don't come near me, Nance" the
young fre-brand said fiercely. you'd
best keep away from "a dirty thief |!
; s! She came up, painting. Rod you're
killing Mama"
| That reached him; he put his hand
up with a despairing gesture and
pushed the lock Of hair out Of his
eyes.
Il wish to the Lord I'd shot my
self in New York; he said hoarsely.
| The anguish of his tone went to his
sisters heart; they were close OF an
age, she was just twenty-one, and
they had always been together. She
clung to him, shaking.
"Roddy, are you sure they'll find
out right away? | mean those people
in New York-before you can put the
money back?"
"Oh, they'll find out They've got
an accountant there-old Beaver. He
never liked me, he's got his nose to
the ground like hound noW-looking
for the trail. / think he knows al
ready"
"Then they might come after YOU
ARREST you--tomorrow!" Nancy
shuddered, remembering the time
"it's after twelve now--it must be
Today thenr
; He nodded. Il don't care any
more; I've had all want from father
I reckon l can take everything now
even handouts"
"He didn't mean it, he didn't NEAR
half of it, he's mad and crazy with
grief about it You mustn't go, moi
this way, Roddy. Mama can't stand it
you know how she feels-you're all
she cares for!"
He choked, irresolute. Il won't lei
father-I won't stand for it--he's in
suited the woman love, beautiful
good woman, whom he's never seen
Nance, what did I do? I was wild
did | really try to Strangle him z
She nodded, pressing her lips firmly
together to keep from crying.
Roddy looked down strangely at his
own hands, stretching them out
"Lordy, | might have killed him--l--
I'd clean forgotten myself"
Nancy tugged at his sleeve. Come
back, Rodw
He shook his head. "I'd do some
thing worse if he called her names"
You needn't 60 in there; go up to
your own room; you're tired out. III
tell Mama-that's all"
He stood irresolute. "It wouldn't
be for long anyway" he said at last
"Don't you tell him if I do stay to-
n;ght-tomorrow-" he laughed wild
ly-" "there'll be a Jail ride tomorrow
Nance"
Il was long past midnight; morning
was in the air and the frost seemed tc
strike to the marrow in the girls
bones. She shook with chill OF fear