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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 1902)
fit THE OMAHA DAILY DEE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1002. thoroughbreds. Br W. A. FMSER Author of "The Outcast," ''Mooiwa." and Other Stork. ft While Langdon labored over the problem of Mayne'e Ideality, he hid watched the borate at tb pout through his glasses. Thi Dutchman had behaved well, his trlflo of eagerness to break sway was even better than Lauianne's Indolent indifference. The other Are had acted an three-year-olds are wont to act wlih erratic Indecision; one minute violent desire, and the next obsti nate reluctance characterizing their Inter minable twletlngs, backings and plunglngs. It had not been for long; a neck or half a length at the start meant little when a mile and a half stretched Its tiring length between them and the flnleh post. Langdon's perplexity was cut short by the cry "They're off!" the Jingle of a bell, and the scurrying of many feet, as eager men rushed for higher points of observa tion In the stand. As the seven horses came thundering ty, pulling double In eager Ignorance of the long journey that lay before them, Langdon saw with evil satlefaction that The Indian was well out In the lead. The Dutchman was sixth, and behind with a short, awkward strength In his gal lop, loafed Lauzanne. There was smoothness In the stride of Hanover's big son, the Dutchman, and Langdon, as he watched him swing with atrong grace around the first turn, men tally Angered the (10,000 that would shortly be his. "That skate win!" he sneered, as Lau ssnne followed. "He gallops like a fat pig. He can't live the pace he can't live the pace." he repeated, and his voice was mel low with a cheerful exultation. His observation seemed eminently truth ful. Allls' horse trailed farther and far ther behind the others. Out In front galloped with unseemlng baste The Indian a brown blotch of swift gliding color. Two lengths from his glint ing heels raced four horses In a bunch two bays, a gray and a black, eo close to gether that they formed a small mosaic of mottled hue against the green background f the Held beyond. Then the Dutchman, with his powerful atrlde, full of easy motion a tireless gal lop that would surely land him the win ner, 'Langdon thought, as he hung with breathless Interest on every move of Weat ley'a body. Mike Qaynor had taken his place on the little platform at the top cf the steps lead ing to th stand. He was watching ths race with Intense Interest. His judgment told h;m that this fast pace could not last and that Lauzanne could gallop aa he was going from end to end of the mile and a half, even faBter If he so wished. At the mil and a quarter a half thrill of hope came to Mike, for Lauzanne was clear of the ruck and surely gaining on the leaders. And still his rider was lying low on the withers, Just a blue blur on the dark gold of the chestnut. "Bof t'umbs, but they're a pair!" mut tered th Irishman. "Be me soul, I t'lnk they'll win." At the bottom turn Into the stretch Mike could see that White Moth and the Dutch man had closed up on the Indian, eo that they awung wide around the owner of the borse. "Gad, she's abut off!" he muttered. It was a living wall, and through little chinks In Its quivering faoe be eould see speck of blue close up where raced Lauzanne. "Poor girl!" ha gasped, "they've got her In a pocket. Damn them b'ys. Why did he hug the rail? She's fair t'rowed away the last chance." Half way up the steps stood Langdon, and hi coarse, evil face took on a look of unholy joy as Lauzanne waa blotted Into oblivion by the horse in front. "Pocketed, by Ood! Clever, trainer, to put up a kid like that agin Westley an' the other," he sneered. Then a deafeutng roar went up from the tand. Somebody thrust a pair of broad boulders In front of Mike's fac. He leaned cut far past the intruder and aaw the In dian sway drunkenly In bis stride away from the rail, carrying White Moth and the Dutchman out, and Into the opening he had left, glued In the rail, crept ths chestnut form of Lausanne. A wild yell of Irish Joy escaped Mike. Then he waited. Now It would be a race! But Lauzanne was trying, trying all by himself, for the rider was still as death. Already the clamor of many voices was splitting the air; all over the stand It was. "The favorite wins! The Dutchman wins!" Even yet there was no beckoning call for Lauzanne, but Mike knew. He had said ti Allls before she went out. "If you ever get level wlf them in the straight you can win." And new Lautanne's yellow head was even with the others and soon It was In front. And then there were only two battling Lauzanne and the Dutchman, and on the bay Wrctley waa riding with whip and pur. "In a walk la a walk. I tell you!" fairly ereamed Old Bill, clutching at Mortlmer'a arm; "didn't I tell you? We re a thousand to the good. Look at him, look at him!" Ha had climbed bait way up Mortimer' atrong back In Lis excitement. "Look at th kfdt Never moved la a walk, in a walk! Larcen all the way for a thousand!" His vote, generally weak and tattered. Ilka hi clothes, had risen to a shrill cream of exultation. It was past all doubt. Lauzanne, a length In front of the Dutchman, was opposite the tand; la two seconds they had flashed by th judge' box and Lauzanne had won. The wave of humanity that swept down the steps csrrled Mike In Its front wash. II took bis stand clta to th Judge's box. INDIVIDUALITY That' th Word! MH.WAUKBB -Posses a goodness aO its wn, (J furring judgment txarctsei ha th lebtctioo of materials, backed by B!ta method of brsw bi7 are thi mala factor eaapot rids for bW.t character. BLATZ MALT'VIVINE i.Mh Inindrttl SUMMER TONIC kli Dru..i or Direct VAL BUTZ BKEWIK8 CO. Mitimtit OMAHA stMAAUM. 14IS Dolaa Tat. lOttt. where he would be handy for whatever might be needed. He saw Langdon, with I a race nara ana lowering, lull of an evil i discontent, standing there. Back the eeven runner, entered tn zanne'a rider saluted th Judge with bis whip, and, slipping from the horse, took the saddle and passed quickly Into the scales. Th weight was right. On after another the bova welched. Watching, Mike saw Langdon pass up to me etewsra. mere was a snort consulta tion, the hush of something wrong, and a murmur of an objection. "What's the matter?" a vnlr. mie.Hnnoil In Mike's ear. It waa Alan Porter who naa spoken. Mike pushed bis way to th small gate, even through It, that led up to the stew ards' stand. As he did so, Langdon came back down the steps. One of the stewards, following him with quick eyes, saw Mike, and beckoned with a flneer. "There an objection to the rider cf Luzanna, earn tn omcial. 'Trainer Langdon says Alan Porter rode the horse linria. A,ml ktAR.lK. . piujib uciuugmi lu m uoy named Mayne." "He's mistook, sir," answered Mike, re spectively. "There'a Alan Porter tandln' down there In the crowd. I ll alnd him up, air. an' you can ask him yourself." Qaynor passed hurriedly down th steps, seized Porter by the arm and whispered In his esr. "Tell the Judge your name, and that a b'y named Mayne rode Lau zanne. Quick, now!" Then Oaynor steDned tin tn in,Ann The latter had aeen Alan Porter go up the steps, ana realized that he had mad a mistake. Mike drew him inside th little inclosure that surrounded the stand. "There's Alan Porter wlf the stewards," Oaynor whispered, close to the man's face; "an" you'll draw the objection at once. If you don't you'll have to settle wlf the stewards fer tryln' to bribe the b'ye,, Mayne, to pull Lauzanne. And Shandy baa owned up that he was to get five hundred, fer dosln' Lucretla. You'll withdraw now or got ruled off fer Hfe; besides, plslnln' a horse Is jail business an' I'll take an oath before Ood I can prove this, too. Now. go an" withdraw quick. You're a damn blackguard!" Mike had meant to restrict himtr t diplomatic pressure, but his Irleh was up naa a nasn ana ne couldn't resist the final expression of wrath. A crowd of silent men bad gathered about the box in a breathless wait. For tunes depended upon the brief consulta tion that was being held between the stewards. As Alan Porter cam down, Langdon went up the steps with nervous haste. "I've mad a mistake, gentlemen," he said to the steward. "With your per mission I will withdraw the objection." "Yea, it's better that way," returned on of th ateward. 'Th best horse won and that'a what raclng'a for. It would be a pity to spoil such a grand race on a technicality." CHAPTER XXVI. After his first buret ot aboriginal glee, cstatlcally uncouth aa It was. Old Bill's Joy over th victory of Lauzanne took on a milder form of expreasion. "Let's line up fer a cash-in," h ex olaimed to Mortimer, making a break down the ateps to tho lawn. On the ground, he atopped, his mlr.' working at fever beat changing Its mcjda quickly. Mortimer gave a sharp cry of astonish ment, for, going up th step m front of them, was Alan Porter. Presently he came down again, bis face looking drawn and perplexed. In hia ignorance of every thing pertaining to racing. Mortimer feared for an Instant the theft of the thousand dollars had been discovered and the present Inquiry had something to do with that, else why was Alsn mixed up in H7 As the boy came through the little gate Mortimer accosted him. "Hello. Alan'"! he exclaimed gently. "Wbate th trou- I ble? "Just a silly mistake," answered Forter ' a weak laugh following his word. "Lang." don has claimed that I rode Lauzanne." 'la that It?" Interposed Old Bill. "An' tun?'1 th'm they Were wro8-the stiffs? There'. Cut-throat Langdon up agin; her ho come back, looking as though hes been fired for epllnt-the crook! Hello! If alt right. Hoo-riy Lauzanne gits the race!" For already the h0,,,rAV,8ht" '' tttl the be ting rln,. "Come on. pard," called Old Bill, eagerly, to Mortimer. "Let's go and rake down the dough." "In a mlnuto." the other answered and turning, to Alan Porter took him by the arm and led him to on aide. "I .uppo.o you lost ov.r th Dutchman." he said Yes. I'm broke." answered the bov with a plaintive smile. X "Well, I've won." "You betting!" exclaimed Alsn In as tonlshment. "Yes. Strange, Isn't It? But I'm coin to put that money of your fathej'. back " Th boy said nothing and Mortimer fancied that hia f.c flushed guiltily 'Yea. I can put It back now that Lau sanne a won." continued Mortimer, "but don t say word to a aoul .bout It. I ting " W,Bt ",bdr l0 kB0W 1 w" '- "But what money?" began Alan. "I've won $1,000 on Lauzanne" "Com on. pard." said Old Bill, impa tlently Interrupting them. "Let's get our raka off. an' then you kin buck to yer chum after." Mortimer yielded to th tattered one's command, for without his guidance be never would be able to find tho man that held the mney. "I ll be back in a little." k said to young Porter. "Don't go away." There was delay over th cashing tn, being lata, they found a lis mt Leusaon men In front of them at the bookmaker atand. When Mortimer returned to tb lawn with $1,100 in hia pocket. Alan Porter had gone. He had dreaded that perhaps the boy might co something desperate, fearing discovery of the theft, he had thought, even, of taking Alan back to Brookfield with htm However, he had told blm that th money would be replaced. Th boy would under atand that aothlng could happen blm, and WOUld KO back. Mortimar r.i ..... u. spent a short time searching for Alan, but h!s former fruttle quest had shown blm th hopelessness of trying to And a person In that immense throng. With a light heart Mortimer hastened from Gravesead. not waiting for th tber races, and took his way to Brookfleld. A genuine admiration of buffeted Old BUI Ailed his mind. la tb morning be would be at tba back bright and early tad replace th atolea tl.ofO, pobedy would know that It had been taken. The narrow cap that bad com to Alan Porter might prwv bis aalvatioa. Burely It would cur blot of aia desire l bet Out of all thi evil posiuv (ood would accru. CHAFTBR XXVII. After winning on Lauzanne, Allla bad dodged th admiring crowd of paddock regular that followed her. Aa Lauzanne waa being blanketed aha bad k I seed the horse's cheek and given hint a mighty squeeze of thankfulness. How nobly he had done bis part; good, dear old, despised, mis. Judged Lauzanne. He had veritably saved her father from disaster, bad saved her from from many things. Bb had slipped Into her long coat and atood waiting for Mike to drive her to Dlxon'a cottage, when the rumor cam of an objection. Then there had been the misery of terrible suspense, a wait of un certainty. Waa her sacriflca of womanly Instinct to go for nothing? Dixon had hurried to th seen of la. vestlgatlon; then he bad com back after a little with Mike, and th good new that they bad got the race. It It had not been for prying eye she would have knelt ther at Lausanne's feet and offered up a prayer of thankfulness. Sh had dona all a woman "IF could do, almost more. Providence bad not forsaken bar and her stricken father. Than MllfA ha1 riiirrtri hf in hnr just aa Crane, leaving the beaten Dutch man and Langdon, had come, asking Dixon where Mlsa Porter was, that he might ten der congratulation. He wanted to see me ooy mai naa riaaen LAuzanne also wanted to take hi hand and tell htm what a grand race he had ridden. But Dixon had been ready with excuses; the boy. At Mayne, waa dead beat after the race he was only a kid and had gone to Dlxon'a borne. Mlsa Porter was perhaps In the tand, or perhaps she had gone home also. Crane knew of Langdon objection. It waa a silly thing, he said, due to over eagerness. He had taken no part in It, be assured Dixon. Alan Porter, too, came Into the paddock, asking for bia alater, but fared pretty much as Crane had. He would oertalnly find her at the cottage, Dixon assured him. That night Allls wired the Joyful tiding to her father and that she would be home In the morning. At last Pandora's box, from which, for months past, evil fortune had been steadily taken at Rlngwood, waa emptied. From the bottom bad come forth not only hope, but a prise. Dr. Rathbone'a prophecy aa to the proper medication for John Porter atood a chance of being fulfllled In one day. Allls' tele gram proved that the doctor bad under stood the pathology of Porter'a treatment, for be became as a cripple who hid touched the garment of a magic healer. It waa thus that Allis found him when ahe reached Ringwood. Oh, but she was glad, and small wonder. What she had done was aa nothing; It shrank into in significance under the glamoroua light of the change that had come over Rlngwood. At the bank down in the village well, at I o'clock, Mortimer, feeling th virtu of an early effort, with the money of re demption In bis pocket, entered Into the resumption of his duties. At the earliest moment after the vault waa opened he made hia way to the box that contained the Porter payment. One thing troubled him slightly. It waa a $1,000 bill that bad been taken; the money he bad to replace waa In hundreds Ind fifties. As he slipped them quietly Into the box he thought It wouldn't really matter;, he would transfer the $3,000 to the account himself, and nobody would know of the change. Leaving the box where It was for a little. In the way of subtle tragedy, be came out and busied hlmeelf over other matters. To Mortimer's alight astonishment, pre sently the cashier, Mr. Lane, came out from his office, speaking eomewhat carelessly, ald: "Mr. Mortimer, you have that Por ter note and money la charge. It Is due todsy, len t It?" Looking up, Mortimer saw Lane's eye Axed upon bis face with piercing lntenalty. He flushed out of sheer nervousness. "Yes, sir." he stammered, "it Is. I'll at tond to it at once." "Ah!" there was a peculiar drawl tn tho cashier vole as be spoke "Ah. I had a communication from Mr. Porter asking if th not bad been paid." Mortimer felt bla knees vlbrate-aome-thlng waa choking him. Had th devil of mlschanc taken th salvation of Alan'a good nam out of hi hands had hi work been for nothing? "I couldn't understand It." went on the cashier. His voice sounded Ilk the clangor of a Are bell to th listening man. though It waa evenly modulated, cold and ateady In Ita methodical precision. "I thought Porter knew th money waa here to meet the note," said Lan. still speaking, "but my attention being railed to th matter, 1 looked up the note. I found $1,000 missing." H waa looking steadily at Mortimer; bla ey were aearchlng th young man's very aoul. There waa accusation, denunciation, abhorrence. In the cashier's gaze. "I at once sent a messenger to ask you to return from your home at Enter sod to clear up this matter; he discovered that you had not beea there, that your mother aa not 111. May I ask where you were yesterday?" "I waa at Oravesend. air at the racea," answered Mortimer, defiantly. Thla speech broke th lethargy that waa over klu; bla brain cleared, ha commenced to taluk lull. "Can you tell me," proceeded Lane, "where the balance of Mr. Toner s 13,000 isr "It's In the box." "Thafa a it is not." "If. In tho box," repeated Mortimer, firmly. "We ran eoon aettle that point." deJ dared the cashier, going hurriedly Into the vault, and reappearing Instantly with the box In hia band. He opened it and atared at the package of bills that rose up when freed from the pressure of the lid. With nervous Angers he counted the con. tents. ''I beg your pardon," he exclaimed In a quick. Jerky way. "The $J,000 la here, but these bills have been put In the box this morning: they were not there last night. It I not the money that waa taken away, either. That was one bill a $1,000 note, and her are" ha counted them again "six tlOOs, and elaht loOs. besides the original two of 11,000. You put those notes back, Mr. Mortimer." he ald, tapping the desk with two Angers of th right hand. "I did." i : YOU DID NOT STEAL THE MONEY, WHO "And you took the money yesterday or the day before?" "I sdld not." "Ah!" Lane repeated tn a dryer, mora aevero ton than he had used before. This "ah" of the crfshler's, with Its many grada. tlons of tone, had been a most useful weapon In bis Innumerable financial battles. It could be mad to mean anything, everything; flung out at haphazard, it al ways caught hia opponent off guard. It waa a subtle thrust, and while on pondered over Ita possible meaning. Lane could for mulato In hia mind more deoislve expres sions. "Ah," be repeated, "if you did not steal this money, who did? And If you did not take it, why did you put it back?" With an expressive sweep of the hand outward, th cashier stood, ' waiting, his tall, narrow head, topped by carefully bruehed gray hair, thrust forward in tho attitude of a parrot about to strike with Ita beak. "I can't answer those questions," an swered the man he was grilling. "The money to pay Mr. Porter'a note la here, and I fancy that Is all the bank needs to concern Itaelf about. It. was entrusted to mo, and now I am prepared to turn It over." "Quit true; ah, yes. quite true! But It might have been vastly different. Thnt Is the point thst most concerns the bank. Whoever took th money" and he bowed deprecatlngly with Ironical consideration to Mortimer "must have needed $1,000 for, well some speculative purpose, perhaps. Good fortune has enabled the someone to make good and the money has been re placed. Mortimer bom-erl his head In ac quiescence. What cculd he say what other stand could the bank take? "You might remain at your desk," the cashier said. "If there Is any mistake we'll discover It, no doubt." Mortimer felt like one dead. Indeed as a dishonored man he were better dead. The bank waa like a mausoleum and he a lost spirit haunting Its precincts in quest of the undeflled body that had been his but yes terday. Alan Porter was late; be had not come yet. Mortimer waited In suffering, sus pense for his appearance. What would com of It all? Now that the money was replaced. If the boy admitted his guilt to Crane, probably no ftrther action would be taken, but he would be dishonored In th light of hi employers. Mortimer had aought to avert thla. had not denounced Alan In the first 'instance. By good fortune had been able to replace the money; even Bow had" divulged the nam of the thief. Ho was well aware of th mass of cir cumstantial evidence, the outcome of bla own hurried actions that pointed to hlm eelf aa the guilty one. Better thla than that he ahould denounce the boy. Dis honor to the lad might kill hi father, for Mortimer was well aware of th doc tor'a edict. Aad Allla, the girl he loved as his life, would hang ber bead In shame forever. He waa anxious to see Alan before the cashier did. He did not want the boy to deny taking the money at first, as he might do if be were unaware of the circum stance. It would place him tn a wrong light. Juat before 12 Alan Porter came hur riedly In. He had missed his train the night before he explained In a general way to all. Mortimer stepped up to him almost at one, speaking with low. earnest rapid ity. The cashier was In his own office and Mr. Cass waa not within ear ahot. "I put th money back, but Ita loss had been discovered yesterday. I have been ac cused of taking it, but have denied It, ac cusing bo one. I want you te ssy that you borrowed !.. thinking It no great harm, as It was your father'a money." Alan would have Interrupted him, but Mortimer said: "Walt till I finish." and then continued: "There will be nothing doaa to you, I feel aure, If you take this stand, because of your father'a connection with Crane. It will save me from dis honor " "Mr. Porter." It waa th cashier's voice Of Damascus steel cutting in on Mortimer's low, pleading tone. Alas turned bis bead, and Mr. Lane, beckoning, said: "Will you atep Into my office for a minute?" The cashier's on minute grew Its wesry length Into thirty, and when Alsn Porter came out again. Mortimer saw that the boy aought to avoid him. Had he denied taking tb money? My Ood! The full horror of Mortimer hopeleas position Asshed upon him Ilk the lurid light of a destroying for est Are. II had trembled when It was a question of Alan'a dishonor. Now that the Ignominy was being thrust upon him the bravery that be possessed In great part made blm a hero. It, through bis endeavor to save the boy. he was to shoulder the guilt, not of his own volition, but without nope oi escape, ne would stand to It like a man. What would It profit him to denounce the boy? At 1 o'clock the president, Crane, arrived from New York, and In him was bitterness because of his yeeterdsy'a defeat. He had sat nearly the whole night through mentally submerged in the double happening that had swept many men from his chess board. Lau sanne, the despised, had kept from his hand a small fortune, even when his Angers DID?" seemed tightening on the coin. That was one happening. John Porter had gained more than $20,000. This made him quite independent of Crane's financial bolstering. The banker's diplo macy of love had been weakened. That waa the other happening. Crane was closeted with tho cashier not more than ten minutes when Mortimer was asked to Join tho two men who had so sud denly become deeply interested In bis af fairs. Tho cashier's band had been strength ened in Crane's contribution of evidence. Mortimer had told the same falsehood about his mother being ill to htm at the race course. From Alan the cashier had learned that Mortimer had been betting heavily. He had admitted to the boy that he had Just won enough to replace the thousand dollars he had rtolen. Mortimer's words had as sumed that reading in their Journey through two personalities. He had even begged young Porter not to speak of his betting transactions. He had denied taking the money, that was but natural. He had been forced to admit replacing it that waa con clusive. Indeed, it seemed a waste of time to Investigate further; It was utterly Im possible to doubt his guilt. Mesh by mesh, like, an enthralling net, all the different threads of convicting circumstances were drawn about the accused man. "Let us question him," said Crane; and In his heart was not sorrow, nor haste, nor compassion, nor anything but Just Joy. Greater than the influence of money In bla love ambition would be this degradation, this reducing to a felon a man he felt stood between him and Allla Porter. Yesterday they had won; today victory almost had come to him. Yes. bring the deliverer In; he would feast his eyes, the narrow-lidded eyes, upon the man whose young loe might have conquered over all his diplomacy and who would go forth from bis hands branded as a felon. The probing of the already condemned man elicited nothing beyond a repeated denial of theft. With the precision of Mamselle Guillotine, Cashier Lane lopped off everything that could possibly atand in Mortimer's defense, grafting Into the cleaved places Individual fact which con firmed bis guilt. Mortimer contended nothing, threw sus picion upon no one. Wss It Alan Porter? " It Caas? But that was impossible. Was it the cashier himself? Still more Impossible. Mortimer answered nothing. He had not taken the money. Yes, he had replaced it because he wss responsible for Its custody. "Can't you see." cried Crane, Impatiently, "that this simple denial of yours Is of no value as against so much that points to your" he hesitated "your implication?" While Mortimer waa still In the cashier'a Improvised Inquisition room Allls Porter came into tbe bank to arrange the pay. ment of ber father', note. The aunshlne seemed to come with ber Into the counting house that was all gloom. Her glorious success, the consequent Im provement In her father, th power to pay off the Indebtedness, all these had turned that day Into a day of thankfulness. Th happiness that was in her rippled her fac Into smiles. When tb door creaked on Its hinges aa it swung open she laughed. It was a thriftless old door, such as bachelor's kept, she murmured. Her brother's face, gloomy behind th iron acreen, tickled her fancy. "You're Ilk a caged bear, Alan," ahe cried, with a smile of impertinence. "I should bate to be shut up a day Ilk this no wonder you're cross, brother." "I'm busy," he answered, curtly. "I'll see you after bank hours, als; I want to aee you." "I've come to pay father's note, busy, man-of-lmportance," she flung back, with the swagger of a capitalist. "It's paid, Allla." "Paid! I thought" "Wait, I'll come out." and. opening the door In the rail, be passed around to th girl. "Father's note is paid." he resumed, "but there's fierce trouble over it. Crane left the money, $2,000, with Mortimer, and he stole" the boy's voice was lowered to a boarse whisper "$1,000 of it to bet at Graveseod." "Thafa not true, Alan; God knows it's not true. Mortimer wouldn't steal." "Yea, be did," peraiawd. U brother, "aad Downward Course A little backache at first, Daily increasing till the back is lame and weak; Urinary disorders quickly follow, Diabetes and finally Uright's Disease. This is the Downward Course of Kidney Ills. DOAN'8 KIDNEY PILLS Cures every form of Kidney Ills. Plenty of proof that this Is bo. Here is Omaha testimony: Mr. Katie O'Mara, 2420 Pacific street, aaya: "For aeven or eight years I waa troubled more or less with rheumatism and sharp pains across the amall of my bark. Working: pretty hard looking after my fa.-Sily la what t think brought on the trouble. I waa murh worse In the roornln gs on rising and becamo some better after being up and around for some time. I saw Doan's Kidney Tills advertised and got them at Kuhn & Co'g drug storo. Before taking all of the box I k new they were benefiting me. They cured my back and helped my rheumatism." At all Drug Stores Prlca 50 Canfs FQSTER-MILBURN CO-, Buffalo. he begged of me to take the blame. He said It would ruin him, but that Crane wouldn't do anything to me. He's a vile, sneaking thief, Allls!" 'Hush. Alan, don't say that. It's all some dreadful mistake. The money will bo found somewhere." 'It has been found; Mortimer put It back. Why should he replace the money If he had not stolen it?" "Wber Is Mr. Mortimer, Alan?" The boy pointed with hi thumb to tho door of the cashier's office. "Crane" in there, too. I hope Mortimer owns up. He ran't do anything else; they caught him putting the money back." Allls remembered that she had seen Mortimer on the race course, but she couldn't believe that he'd een been bet ting. "Mr. Mortimer doesn't Oct," she said. "Yes, he doee; he did yesterday, anv- way and when he saw that I knew about It he begged me to ay nothing, prac tically admitted that ho hBd taken the money and was going to put It back." "Why should he tell you that, Alan?" "I don't know, unless he feared It might be found out while he was away; or per haps be was so excited over winning a thousand dollars that he didn't know what he was saying. At any rate he took it right enough, Allis and you ought to cut him." "I shan't do that. He's Innocent. know he is, I don't care what they eay. If he replaced the money, It was to shield the man who took It." She was looking searchlngly Into her brother's eyes, not that ahe was accusing him of the theft; ahe was Just searching for the truth. "Do you mean It wai to shield me that I took It? No one else could have taken the money except Mortimer or myself." I don't know," answered the girl. wearily; "lt'a all so terribly now; I only know that Mortimer did not steal it." While she was still speaking the ac cused man came from the cashier'a office. holding his head defiantly erect, not at all as a half-convicted felon ahould have slunk through the door, yet withal In his face was a look of hopeless gravity. As he reeumed bis place at the desk close to the brother and sister, Alan looked defiantly at him. He could see In tho boy's eyes malignant detestation, a glimmer of triumph, as though he felt that Mortimer waa Irrevocably In the tolls. The lad was like a stripling Judas. His attitude filled Mortimer with loathing. He stole a look Into the girl' face. Would she, too, say with her eyes, "Behold hero s the thief?" A thrill of ecstatic comfort warmed his being. In Allls' gray eyes was the first touch of kindness he had known In this hour of trial. Faith, and sorrow, and cheer, and love were all there, striving for maetery; no furtive weakening, no un certain questioning, no remonstrance of re proval, nothing but Just unlimited faith and love. Mortimer heard the brother say, "I think you had better not," then the girl's voice, clear and decisive, answering, "I will, I must." Tn anger Alan left his sister's side, and she, stepping up to the wicket said, "Will you please come out for a minute, Mr. Mortimer? I want to speak to you." He passed around to her side. Crane and tho cashier were still closeted In tbe latter's office. "Let ua go out Into the sunshine," Allls said. "Can you will It make any differ ence ?" "I don't think It matters," he answered, wearily; "things are aa bad aa they ran be, I suppose." He took it for granted that she knew everything, but he was possessed of no shame, no diffidence, no reserve; he was In nocent, and her eyes had assured him that she knew it. As they passed through the door It creaked again on Its dry hinges. Before she had laughed at the weird complaining; now it sounded like a moan of misery. Outside, the village street was deserted. There waa no one to listen. "What Is this dreadful thing all about, George?" He started. She had never called him by his Christian name. Ua marveled at her generous faith. All but EVERY WOMAN I Housekeeper., wives, mother., every womaa who has the care of a family or household, has at one time or another spells of backache. nervous weakneaa, aick headache and dis orders in tbe digestion, cauaed aa a rule by domestic worry, overwork, irregular meal, or habitual constipation. To all women who suffer in this way, we aay: TAKE .... Prickly Ash Bitters .... IT CUREO. It perform, a msrvelou. transformation. Tba) tired, weak, despondent, pale and bloodies victim is soon strong, bright, happy woman, with rosy cheeks and cheerful spirits. Prickly Ash Utters la ot a 1erabl, harafc ctinfl MdklM aa th mm aright UoicU. H I s4.si.wt t tb Ust. aaHd y.t awrM I Ha cl.sasif and ragvlatlaa Ufln.sc la Um vital eegaaa. Druggists tell It ' -1 111-" ' dishonored. It was aa though bia motbi might have spoken, "Oeorge." "A thousand dollars was stolen from th bank, and I am accused of taking It," b answered bitterly. "You didn't, did you? I know you didn't, but I want to hear you say so." ( He looked full into the girl's eye, aad answered, with deliberate earnestness, "1 did not steal the money," "Rome one took itf" "Yes." "And you know who It wu?" "I do not." "But you suspect someone?" He did not answer. "Did you put the money back?" He nodded his head. "To protect somebody's good nam?" "Because It had boon In my charge. I can't talk about it," be Jrok In vehe mently; "all I can say is that I am Inno cent. If you believe that, I don't car what they do. They'll be able to prove by circumstantial evidence that I took It." ho added, bitterly, "and nothing that I can ay would make any difference. My mother won't believe me guilty, and. thank Ood, you don't. And I am not, Ood knowa I am not. Beyond that I will aay nothing; It la useless worse than useless. It would be criminal would only cast suspicion on others perhaps innocent. I don't know what they'll do about It; tho money baa been repaid. They may arrest me aa a felon. At any rate, I shall be forced to' leave the bank and go away. It won't make much difference. I am aa I waa be fore, an honest man, and I shall find other openings. It's not half ao bad aa I thought It would be. I feared, perhapa, that you would be" She stopped him with an Imploring gesture. i "Let me finish," he said; "I muat go back to the office. I thought that you might believe me a thief, and that would have been too much." - "You cared for my poor opinion f" ah asked. The quiver tn her vole eausad him to look Into her face. Ha aaw th gray eye shrouded In tear. He waa a queer thief, trembling with Joy becauae of his sin. . . , "Yes, I care," he answered, "and. It seemed all so dark before you brought tbe aunltght In with you; now I'm glad that they've accused me; somebody els might have suffered and had no on to believe la him. But I muat go back to my prison it seems like now when I leave you," this with a weary attempt at brave mock ery. Allls laid a detaining hand on bla arm, the small gloved hand that had guided Lauzanne to victory. "If anything happen if you are going away I think you ar right to go If they distrust you you will see me before you leave, won't you?" 'Will you car to see me - If I atand branded aa a thief?" The word cam hard, but In his bitterness he felt like not spar tng himself; he wanted to get accustomed to the full obloquy. 'Promise me to come to Rlngwood b fore going away," ahe answered. "Yes, I will, and I thank you. No matter how dark the ahadow may mak my life, your kindness will be a hope of light. No man Is utterly lost when a good womaa believe In him." The creaking bank door walled tremu lously, Irritably; somebody waa puahlng It open from the Inside. With a whin of re monstrance It awung wider, and Cran stepped out on the sidewalk.. He (tared In astonishment at Mortimer and Allla; his brow wrinkled In anger. Only for an In stant; ths forehead smoothed back Into It normal placidity, and hia vole, wall la hand, aald In even tones, "Oood afternoon. Miss Porter. Are you going back to Ring wood?" and he nodded toward Allla buggy which atood In front of tb bank. Yea, I am. I'm going now. Oood day, Mr. Mortimer." and she held out her hand. Mortimer hesitated, and then, flushing, took the gloved fingers In bia own. With out apeaklng, he turned and passed Into th bank. "May I go with you?" asked Crane; "I want to see your father." "Ye, i n b glad to drive you over," th girl answered. (To Be Continued.) Prict, $1.00