3
feel that you are a criminal, deserving and
doomed to death ?”
“1 certainly do."
“Very well. Last night t was to all
intents
a dead man. A benefactor ap
• H Y N O r.-fS O P P R E C E D IN G C H A P T E R S
I'M w ard T y le r, a young te lle r In th e C ooper'« peared and brought me hack to life Now,
N atlo r.a l B unk, is told by th<5 c a sh ie r. RebUwon. if I permit him to die I am a criminal,
to go to tin* ra c k tn ii k an.l bet '»n^ th o u sa n d deserving death. H I deserve that death
d o lla rs rn a horse n am ed S elim Bay«
I will receive my desert. You proposed
th e m oney w ith w hich to bet. i^v*irn ,
T y ler, g o in g to h is lodgings a fte r h an k in g hour«, going in my company, f will go in yours
le a rn s th a t h is a c c o u n ts h av e been found one if you persist in going, f have said it.”
th o u sa n d sh o rt, w hile R obinson h as rep o rted to
th e p re sid e n t. M r. Kills, th a t T y le r had gone
Brewster looked at his companion in
a w a y u n d e r p lea of sick n ess, a n d la te r had been
k n ow n to hav e lo st th e m issin g sum a t tl. t-* '3 silt.ice for a brief period. Then he spoke
tra c k . T y ler, feeling th a t c irc u m sta n c e s a re quietly.
overw helm !! gly a g a in st him . d e te rm in e s to ta k e
“You are a fool,” he said.
h is ow n life, lie goes to a ho tel In a su b u rb an
v illa g e w rite s som e le tte rs, th e n s ta r ts fo r th e
"Even so."
riv er. O n th e w ay a s tr a n g e r Joins him and
“Do you really mean to per-ist in such
fo rces h is a c q u a in ta n c e . H e h as seen an d re c
ognized th e y o ung te lle r a t th e tra c k an d d ivined folly?"
h is In te n tio n , supposing, of co u rse, th a t h e is
"ff such you term it.”
foolish an d g u ilty . T he s tr a n g e r confesses h im
se lf C h a rles B rew ster, a m an o f w ealth, w ho h as
“And render valucles» the sacrifice I
becom e e n g ag ed to a lady of his ow n social made in consenting literally to die a sec
se t and. la te r, u n d e r a n assu m ed n am e, to a poor
sa le sg irl, w ho h a s won h is h e a rt. R a th e r th a n ond time in order to save, not only your
face th e o d iu m o f ex p osu re, h e chooses u e a tn
an d m a k e s th e fa n ta s tic p ro p osal th a t th e y d ie life, but your honor?"
to g e th e r. T y le r ag rees, a n d togeflier. In th e
“My honor is saved. You will not
m o o n lig h t, th e y w alk to th e riv er. In Tf*«™
fo r B re w ste r's confidences. T y le r n a rra te s th e undo what you have done. My life has
c irc u m sta n c e s of w hich he is th e v ictim . A t the been spared thus far that I may make one
v e ry b rin k of d e a th B rew ste r, a fte r m a k in g supreme effort to save you. When 1
T y le r sw e a r to th e tru th of h is tale, fo rb id s th e
a r t of d e a th , a n d th e y re tu rn to th e hotel. H ere have made that effort, whether successful
B re w ste r w rite s a le tte r to th e p re sid e n t o f th e
b a n k , in clo sing a check fo r a th o u sa n d d o llars, or not, the worth of your sacrifice has
w h ich he In tim a te s w as o v erpaid h im by m istake.* been proved. Last night you insisted on
T h is w ill reliev e T y le r from th e c h a rg e of e m bearing me company through the white
b ezzlem en t an d b rin g h im buck from d e a th to moonlight to the river. When all was
life B rew ste r, h ow ever, p e rsists In his ow n d e
te rm in a tio n to die. Tylei; striv e s d e sp era te ly ready you proposed half an hour’s wait.
w ith him . se e k in g to sa v e th e life of th e m an
w ho h a s sa v e d h is ow n. He p e rsu a d e s B rew ste r I assented. Then you proposed still
to ta k e b ra n d y to ste a d y h is n e rv e s a n d su cceed s further delay. Now I propose that next
in re n d e rin g him In to x icated . In th is con ditio n
B rew ste r is fo rced to go to bed. w hile re ta in in g Saturday night we again walk to the
fu ll co n tro l o f h is m e n ta l fa c u ltie s a n d p e rsist river at midnight. The moon will be
ing in h is d e te rm in a tio n to a c t a s aoon a s th e shining them.”
effects o f th e in to x ic a n t h a v e gone.
“But it might be raining! Ugh!''
HE gray light of morning had “Then wc will go far away and await
come, the newsdalear had ar another night such as last. But if in that
rived with his bulky Sunday time I can lay before you proofs—you to
papers, the village was astir with
be the judge—that you can happily and
tile life, drowsy and slow, which betokens honorably live, you will not refuse to do
the morning of the day of rest. Tyler so?"
moved to and fro upon the sidewalk in “Of course I would not. But what
ceaseless vigil. At last he went up to you mention is absurdly impossible.”
Brewster’s room and knocked at the door. “Nevertheless, it is my only chance for
Brewster, half feverish, half stupid life. I ask you, in view of that fact, to
from the effects of his recent intoxica agree to next Saturday night."
tion, opened the door. He had not un “What do you intend to do5”
dressed when going to the room.
"I hardly know. But I w ilt do nothing
“What do you want?" he asked, irri which is not honorable, place you in no
tably.
false light, tell no lies. With these con
“I want," Tyler firmly replied, my ditions I ask liberty."
breakfast and you in my company. You “Well,” said Brewster, "you have won
are ill. and for a few hours you are in again You are a fool, but a game and
my charge Whatever you do, you must chivalrous fool. Saturday night let it be.”
restore your strength of mind. A .quick, The meal was finished almost with
cold bath white f wait outside, then cheerfulness.
Brewster agreeing
coffee and food and you will be yourself to remain at the Then,
hotel, Tyler returned to
and know what to do.”
where he was promptly
Brewster hesitated, then closed the door his lodgings
under arrest on a warrant sworn
with an abrupt promise to appear soon. placed
by
Robinson,
charging
with the theft
He came out a few minutes later, hag a thousand dollars. him
But, as he knew,
gard, with bloodshot eyes, but calm and of
was already provided, Brewster
rational, though his features were set and bail
having telegraphed a friend for that pur
stern.
"I think,” he said, ill quiet tones, "that pose. morning he unflinchingly present
you are very impertinent in your inter ed Next
himself at the bank. There was much
ference with my affairs."
staring and whispering, and then Mr.
"Quite as much as you were when you Robinson,
and awful, appeared.
interfered with mine,” Tyler answered “I am red-faced
astonished, young man," he
quite as calmly. “Let us go to the dining said,
“that you dare to show yoursqjf
room. My interference will not go far.
what has happened!"
I have done what I believed was right. after
“You mean after losing the thousand
The coffee will clear our minds and wc dollars
you gave me to bet on Sclint
will know what to do."
Bay?”
Tyler responded, coldly, but in
The two men went to the table, and for tones which
could be heard by all near.
a while they ate little, gulping down
quantities of coffee and nibbling at the “What do you mean by such inso
buttered toast.
lence?" Robinson blustered. "Do you
Then first Brewster and then Tyler be think in that way to account for the
gan in real earnest to eat.
thousand dollars you were short?"
“I have heard that criminals, on the "I think that L a very good way."
morning of execution, usually eat well.” “Do you mean-—
Brewster grimly remarked, cutting at his “I mean that it is your word against
steak.’
mine. You know as well as I who is the
"So I believe. And usually, I have liar and thief."
heard, they take ham and egg s.” Tyler Robinson stammered in his anger, and
responded.
while he was hunting for words to express
“I think you arc right. Waiter, bring hts wrath a clerk came to ask both of them
me an order of ham and eggs."
to appear before Mr. Ellis.
“And me, also,” Tyler said.
“So you were at the racetrack Satur
“Don’t trouble to accommodate yourself day?" the president asked.
to my taste,” Brewster said. “I am only "For Mr Robinson."
trying to carry (he fashion."
“And bet a thousand dollars on Selim
“And I also,” Tyler replied. “If the Bay?”
comparison applies to you, it does to me “For Mr. Robinson.”
as well. We can speak plainly. You still "You know that my invariable rule is
T
the discharge of any employee who bets
at the tracks?"
“I do. It is a good rule.”
“And yet you broke it?”
"For Mr. Robinson."
"And you now expect to be dis
charged ?”
“I certainly do”
“And you acknowledge the discharge
just?"
"I do "
“And what have you to say of the
thousand dollars in which your cash was
short ?”
"By advice of my lawyer I say nothing.
I believe a criminal charge lies against
me."
“Mr. Robinson,” said the president,
turning sharply upon the cashier, “did you
give this young man a thousand dollars
to bet at the track?”
“I did not. I hope you don’t be
lieve----- "
"Do you think he had a thousand of his
own to bet?"
"I am sure he had not. You know that
he came here just from college penniless,
and that he has had only his salary since."
"Yes I know. But where did he get
the money he took to the track.”
“Well, of course, you know that the cash
was a thousand short.”
“Yes, Mr. Robinson, but that was by
your act.” said the president, sharply.
"Look at that letter.”
He handed over Brewster's letter, which
had come in the morning’s mail.
“Well, I—I-----’’ stammered the cashier
in bewilderment.
“And here is a letter for you in the
mail," Mr. Ellis continued, handing over
Brewster's letter addressed to Mr. Robin
son. and watching the latter closely as he
read it.
"Well, I—of course, I'nt sorry," he said,
very pale and trembling, “but under the
circumstances I will acknowledge my mis
take and will offer my resignation.”
"Which is accepted." said the presi
dent, curtly. “And you will go ,10 court
at once and withdraw your charge against
this young man. Mr. Tyler, I believe
that you have told the truth. Whether
you have or not, you have broken a rule,
for which the penalty is loss of your po
sition. I will give you recommendation
as far as possible, and if I can assist you
in any way I will do it. Blit I positively
never will have in this bank any employee
who ever places a bet on horseracing."
“I appreciate your justice and thank you
for your kindness," said the young man,
and, bowing, made his departure.
JTlttside the bank lie stood for a moment
with a kind of mistiness before his eyes
as he realized that he was breaking irre
vocably with the associations of his past
business career. Then he went unhesi
tatingly to the railroad station and after
an hour alighted at the village to which
Brewster's letter to Miss Catherine Ball
had been addressed.
An inquiry of the first passer-by and ten
minutes’ walk and he stood before an old
mansion in the midst of beautiful grounds.
"I must see Mass Ball,” he insisted, in
reply to all the servant's inquiries, and at
last a handsome woman of about thirty
years, with a refined, intellectual face and
somewhat sad expression, came to the
door.
“I desire a conference with you,” he
said. "It is a matter, pardon me, of life
and death. On your decision rests the
matter of two lives."
“Come into the library,” she said, lead
ing the way. "Now what have you to
say ?”
"I have a letter for you.” Tyler began.
“A letter from a friend who contemplated
suicide, but has been prevented for a time
from carrying his plans into execution. He
believes that his letter ha. gone by mail
I come to you in the dc-perate hope of
assistance in overcoming his disposition
for another attempt."
“Give me the letter."
He handed it to her She read, then
Hid the letter in her lap and rested Iter
cheek in her hard.
“It is what I expected," she said.
“Pardon me, Miss Ball. I do not know
what the letter contains, hut I know the
history upon which it is based. The case
seems nearly hopeless, but I must do what
I can. I would spare you, hut I would
save my friend."
“Tell me frankly what you know.”
“I know that he lias long been engaged
to you.”
“Yes, and what else?"
“That he has—has----- ”
,
“Has engaged himself to another
woman?”
“Yes.”
“I knew that he did not love me." she
said, still dreamily looking out of the win
dow, "but I did not think this of him.”
“It is an infatuation, a blindness," said
Tyler, with all the sage wisdom of his
twenty-five years, “to which men have
been subject from the beginning of the
world."
“Why do you speak so? What do you
know of the young lady?”
“I know nothing, save that she is a
salesgirl in a department store.”
“And does that prove to you that she is
unworthy ?”
“God forbid!" said Tyler, flushing
hotly. “My own mother, now among the
saints of heaven, was once thus employed.
I said that was all I knew. I believe her
worthy. I used the word infatuation,
i -tly because I could not understand—
pardon me, I speak sincerely—this is no
time for mere compliment—because 1
could not understand, after seeing you.
why he should care for another. Partly. I
believe, because 1 wished to use soothing
words, knowing how you were hurt.”
“I am not hurt." she said, in her soft,
quiet way. “I am I, she is she. Charles
Brewster loved her for some qualities I
do not possess. Alt women cannot be
alike. He is entitled to his preference.
But he should have told me long ag®.”
“That is true. But it was his desire not
to hurt you which held him back."
“Well, there is no reason why he should
not marry tile girl he loves. You can tell
him so. I have never loved him any
more than he loved me. But I liked him
and I believed him an honorable man. I
had, perhaps, a natural human desire to
marry. But 1 see now that I was wrong
to engage myself without love, and f am
glad it is all over.”
Tlte man was by this time so fascinated
by the noble and beautiful woman that he
could not resist the desire still to preserve
the engagement between her and Brewster
“But. Miss Ball,” he said, “suppose that
I prove that Miss Lattghlin is not really
in love with Mr. Brewster, as he sup
poses ?”
“That would have no interest for me."
“Would you not marry him if he should
return penitent and ask your love?”
“Never 1"
He was silent, for he felt that her word
was irrevocable.
“Now tell me.” she said, “how he was
prevented from suicide after writing this
letter."
Tyler sat in embarrassed silence.
“In this letter,” she said, “he says that
he is going down to the river in company
with a bank thief.”
Tyler flushed so painfully that Miss Ball
instantly divined a part of the story.
"And yott exchanged confidences," she
said, sarcastically. “Par nobile fratrum.”
Tyler’s flush departed, leaving his face
deadly pale.
"I beg of yon, Miss Ball," he said, “to
hear my story to the end. I am not a
thief, though I contemplated and still
contemplate suicide.”
Something in his manner checked her
rising scorn. She felt that she was indeed
in the presence of tragedy.
Then in a few words he told her of his
misfortune at the bank, of his rash deter
mination, of Brewster’s action in savins him.
( Conlmur-i an fa g / 33.)