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
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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
