1914-07-11 — Page 8

SHORT

THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.

STORY.

THE MOTHER

CHILDREN.

1

OF

BY CONIGSBY DAWSON.

HIS

[Here is the story of a man worried, darling. Just tired." who aches for his wifo's lovo Then she thought she had and is determined to do some-greased. You don't like going thing big in order to win it. alone, do you? You hoped that There are m gaziace which are mother would go with you. famous for having stories.es-ou're-disappointed." sentially their own. Maclures is She recognized in a flash that one of these magazines, and her gaoss was mistaken. He this is one of these stories. It rabbed his cheek against her and is not according to type at all.], answered evasively:

"Disappointed Oh, I don't The great plate-glass panos know. There's so auch to do for reaching almost to the pavement, you children; I suppose she's revealed empty counters, gloam right.' ing cafes, and lowered lights. They Madge slipped back to her were a part of the pretence that lessons. Tears were in her eyes, every one was above temptation. He was in trouble, and he They boomed to say to the world, wouldn't let her share it. pinched with cold: "B:s how we Directly he thought that her srust you. We know you're honest. attention occupied, here You can peep in, if you like; to commenced his figuring. morrow, if you've anything to give us, you can walk inside."

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1914,

they! You'ro

"Who are dreaming, girlie."

"But don't play with me. Don't put me off. What is the

self into so much expense. Five Mr. Yaams took notice of Diok hesitated, then smouldered into

had she meant by saying, "I hundred dollars for a pearl neck-in his cold, non-committal way-querulous resentment: "I don't

understand ?" lace! And it looked nothing took notice of his elations and like the way you're taking this,

Aoross the street, emphasizing like a string of beads from the depressions ae. the stockmarket my boy."

the discrepancies of the situation, Monmouth Five and Ten Cent fluctuated. He called him in to Dick shrugged his shoulders.matter ? "

those two men were still watch Store! Madge must have one consultations more frequently "I don't see that it's up to you to She tugged him tightly to her, ing. In following their move batter than that. Es pictured to then was necessary, that he might like or dislike it. You paid me hiding her face against his breast, ments, he failed to observe how himself how, years later, she observe him more narrowly. a beggarly wage, set temptation He persisted in pretending to time was passing. He sat down. would tell her children. "When

At laat he was by himself. Sink- By the way, Diak, d' you see in my way, and now you're send- misunderstand. this that Electrical Supplies are tumbing me to jail. Besides, you was what he bought me.

"Nothing's the matter, darling.ing his face in his hands, he was intoxicated by his imagin- It's this rumour of ant-Trust

to fill your stooking.'

to-morrow he would be in prison. ation. The pearl necklace for investigations from Washington. Madge cost, eight handred dol- Won't go very far, I assure you." lara; the watch-bracelet, atudded Mr. Yeams nodded winely with diamonds, which he chose for Mary, a thousand. His wife would have to admire him at last..

father became a big Beling? Oh, no, they're all right. always told me that Electrical | It's Christmas Eve; I'd come in scknowledged facts-at this hour

Did ho want them sent, the salesman asked. With childlike greed for immediate possession, he inquired, Could I take them with me?" It was incredible: eighteen hundred dollars' worth of jewellery was being wrapped up and would soon be in his pocket.

It came

a

drow his hand. nothing nothing." every one had gone to bed, he When the house was silent and would take out his treasures and look at them, staging in his mind what was likely to occur when he

One night, when he had stayed later than usual, Mary came down to discover why he hadn't follow od her. She caught the sparkle of something which he slipped behind his back the moment she

when Dick had left him and his office door had closed. The question be asked himself was how his cashier, with a salary of three thousand and a growing family, could have bought shores in Electrical Supplies? His wife's money? Unlikely. He set on foot a stealthy inquiry.

Supplies would come up again. You can take over the shares that I've defaulted on its not too late; so you're safe.”

The two strangers had kept their eyes on Mr. Yeama." Reluc tantly he nodded. They closed in on Diok, standing one on either side, and roughly twisted his wrists behind his back. They turned to lead him away, and had reached the door when the old man spoke with emotion: "Bring him back," Then, to Dick: "You've known me, and. worked for me the best part of your life. Mary'e father was my friend I know your father before you

Haven't you any favour to ask me? don't suppose you'll believe me, but I've liked you, Dick, and still like you." "-

I

--

Dick refused to lower his pride. You're going to steal my liberty I'm not half way through living you, an old man, from me; and You've nearly done with life but take from it, never considered and you've never done anything

As he passed out of the room, he met his wife on the landing. "Did I boat Madge crying ? "she, questioned in a whisper.

He stopped, gathering up the presents for Tommy, so as not to look at her. "Madge crying Yea. She woke frightened. Was not really, awake. Dreaming, I guess."

From the foot of the staire o voice called: "He's gone Dickie.”

He pulled himself together. He wouldn't need to be brave much longer.

Evening dragged itself out to a finish. Nine, ien, eleven-the children had exhausted their laat: exonse for not going up to bed, Tommy and Hester had vanished; Madge lingered. Diok turned abruptly. 'Kiddie, it's ́time. you went."

"Why

Then, to his wife: don't you go, too, Mary 7 You're tired."

He was uneasy lost his wife might question him when they went to bed. She was strangely silent and unaccustomedly ten- der. He lay awake, staring at disturb her. Every nerve in his the ceiling, fearful lest he should

They kissed him. Words were body craved an answer to one on their lips that struggled to be question: Were those men still said. They prosesd the room to out there? He could bear it no the door; came back swiftly, by longer. Having listened to his common impulee, and kissed wife's breathing and found it him again; then, to his great regular, he crept out. At first he relief, he heard their footsteps shadows. Then he caught the Would they return? Blow move. saw nothing-only frost and trailing fainter up the stairs figure of a mon right under the mouts overhead. Thank God, the his eyes. He wondered if Madge wall below him, looking up into house was silent!

He spoke with his conscience.

י,

men outside-they also would

have heard it. Thoy'd come for him now. Love, shame, and trag

It was Christmas Eve. The book had closed. Some of the olerks who had to travel to diet only his choque-book. The sales- left. The rest wore making hila- to paying he had aut family gatherings had already

"Arious haste to be gone, exchang. man saw him hesitate. chaque will do," he assured him. ing jokes and calling good wishes Dick made no attempt to dis- after each one of their number to guise. his amazement. But leave them. Dick looked like an auroly you'll require a reference. undertaker at ä My cheque mightn't be good."

wedding mournfully out of place. His face that risk. We're supposed to be haunted and hollow. For the The mon amiled. "We take was drown, and white, his oyce adges of character. We're here last fornight, since the rumour their faces and know whether abroad, shares in all Trust or for that—to size people up by from Washinton had spread

they're honest."

ganizations had been falling. A any one but yourself. Out of all-little Mudge, standing bare- If he had succeeded, he'd have A crawling shiver wandered week ago he could have sold out the days you're going to steal footed at her window-were also been reckoned clever by the The next week he was in New down Dick's back. A policeman, passing by, peered York. Bie first errand, after bis

He wrote his and just cleared himself, so as to from me, I want just one more of watching that watcher. Ilestole world. He was a thief because at Dick suspiciously, recognized arrival, was to a firm of Wall signature hastily. He tried not get back the bonds which he had freedom-to-morrow."

back, and climbed softly into bed. he had failed. He was a fool, to meet the salesman's oye. Did left with his broker to be held ne Mr. Yeams looked aside and Again he listened. Mary was too Was that some one stirring? him, and bade him a cheerful Street brokers; it had nothing dishonesty stick out all over collateral against his margine. It blinked his eyes. He tried to motionless; abe ought to have He heard a creak on the staire. "good night."

to do with the business for the

man like that? The straggling timber houses bank. After that he watched the

way Mr. Teamin' Goaurances that make his voice hard when be stirred. What did she suspect? His beart was in his throat. On his return home, he lacked Electrical Supplies were sound asked: of Main Street cowered boneath tickers feverishly, like a man the necklace and bracelet secure

"To-morrow! How'll

The door that led out of the Sliding his feet so as to make no the weight of starflecked sky. whose entire happiness dependedly away in the top drawer of his on. And now the price had sunk

that had tempted him to hang that help? Why?

living-room into his library was noise, he crossed the room, est the Dick strained forward from the open. His desk stood in full view deor ajar, and listened. Utter Many of the stores bad put up on what prices the mechanism desk. When he heard Mary en low that he couldn't save any hands that held him. "My wife of his wife as she sat at the quiet. their shatters. The sudden drop would stamp on the tape. warning the children against of his margins without selling and children havo counted on it. breakfast-table. He stopped over How should he face the crisis? in temperature had driven people found himself jumping off. indoors. Electric lamps looked trolleys and breaking appoint expecting too much for Christmas some of the bonds that he had I've led them on to expect to the drawer of mystery, unlock. He stood beside the desk opened down on a town that seemed ments inconsequently, merely for be a heavy expense, he had to

because Madge's education would borrowed. He was caught. something. Please! Its Christed it, and took out two small a drawer stealthily. A revolver deserted. Dick throat bis hands the sake of rushing into hotele smile. He grew into a habit of "Oh, Dick, spare me a minute,

The president's door opened. mas Day."

And so it was arrangod.

parcels. She had risen. Madge was lying in his hand. Madge! in his coat pockets and crouched and pussing the slip of paper touching the drawer in which his will you?".

Btood behind her. For you. They'd call her father a coward his head between his shoulders. through his trembling fingers. It

Dick passed out into Main And for you," he said buskily, With a reckless self-distrust and So the price was sure to rise. was always when Electrical Sup-noticed, and asked him.

gifts lay hidden. His wife Dick mustered an expression Street with the two strangers and turned away, ashamed of ineticot to protect her, he

"What of cheerfulness and squared his walking closely, but inconspicu- what he was doing-giving them fang Coming to his gate, he hesitat-plies were quoted that he grew have you in there?" He laughed shoulders. He always did that ously, one on either side. They the fruits of theft.

from him temptation ed. Mary's shadow fell across excited. They were on the ring.

through the window, with a crash. the blind. He wanted to shink; He sold out a portion of his hold a high voice, Oxitaly, oh, oh, a hering the office, he saw Christmas crowd. Before he was were opened. For me! Why

and when he knew he was watched, were scarcely noticeable in the He heard a gasp as the boxes Feet upon the stairs. Those her gray eyes would disturb him. inge, merely for the sake of bringing home to himself the un-

that two strangers were present: out of sight of the bank, he turned father!" He found himself on the out-believable fact that he had made

door, as if to block his exit; the his arms, thinking he was about wife came slowly over to him. edythe mountain-tops of life one directly behind him, near the his head. The strangers clutched Madge wae in, bis arms. His skirts of the town, where woods money. He bought again, on

other beside the desk, facing him. to make a breakaway. "He was He thought she was going to call for darkness. He switched commenced an army of skele margins as a higher price. To toon, flapping raga. Far behind avoid the risk of Monmouth get

"Been speculating?'

Mr. Yeams looked up coldly. only looking to see whether the meke him take it back. She of the light and stood tense.

president's brougham was still tried to speak, and couldn't. She The door opened. Mary trem- him, like glow-worms scattered ting to know, he opened an gave them on Ohristmas Day.

"Yea." through shadowe, the lights of account with 3 New York bank,

waiting. He saw its lamps, and kissed him, holding out her arm bled on the threshold, the lamp It was his last day; "he was Monmouth twinkled.

he wondered what was happening for him to fasten the bracelet on in the ball longthening her If his love were to survive, he leaving in two hours, on the six

the parchment face and shabby the scone that he had pictured. inside the head of the man with it. It was all so different from shadow; it lay along the floor. must have money. If he could o'clock limited. Within a week

till it touched his fest. Her oyes pour into her lap money won by he had made more than twice his

clotlies.

All morning, with a feverish followed to where he stood, his own brains, he would startle year's salary; if Electrical

begin? He dared not ask. Up played the game like a man night sir, blowing in through the to display of high spirite, Dick wraith-like and erect he cold Mary" out of taking him for Supplies continued to soar, he'd granted into admiration. Every- be rich before the New Year,

His worst fear had been that he the path to the very threshold of secretly aware that in his body shattered pans, chilled his blood. thing had to be purchased. when they went through the foar in her voice.

"Why Dick!" There was would behave like a coward. his home he was escorted. As were the seeds of death, yet He shivered. The woode ruailed.. It was as bonds and clipped the coupone,

Perhaps it was because he had the light drifted out from the determined to got the most out of She ran to him, and folded him He turned sideways from her and lived through the ordeal so many opening door, the men fell back. it while life lasted.

in her arms. "You're hurt? if dead things were returning to He'd bave time to replace what thrust his hand into his pocket; mes that he conducted himself Madge was hanging mistletoe life, Slowly he turned back. he'd borrowed-nothing need be then he put his free arm about like an actor, mouthing but un- in the hall when he entered. He sympathy had crept into thee must tell her. "I'm not;

An unexplained and new

He tried to push her from him. Be didn't need to decide now; discovered. Already he felt anfe. her waist. presently would be soon enough. It was the hour of the Fifth everything for all of us. You'll answered quite normally;

"Mary, I'm changing affected by A tragedy. He was determined to play his part attitude of his wife: anxiety to bat"

of the man with the happy secret demonstrate This time, when he came to his Avenue parade. Abore

affootion without She silenced him, pressing her the know in good time."

"Success! You know I to the end. They'd learn soon language and effort to make ap- lips against his mouth. "I gate, he entered.

skyscrapers, through the But presently came next morn-indigo unplumbed, quiet, stars ecstatic-like that of a happy borrowed twenty-five of

His way of speaking was haven't. Let's cut this short. I enough. He tried to appearjovially preciation conspicuous. With couldn't speak. All day I_want- ing, when he received orders to fluttered like white butterflies boy. Sho drew her fingers bank's Florida Irrigation bonde. eyes followed him; he encounter they realized that a blow was waiting for you, I guessed. the glad and to forget. Mary's grey both Mary and Madge it was as if ed to epeak about it. I was get ready to go to New York. over tall stone hollyhooka.

across his face: I left them Getting ready entailed several Wealth tripped by him on the "Change everything! Do

wonderingly

with Ivy and ed them whenever he glanced in threatening, but dared not men. You did it becaues of me. And journeys to the bank's vaults and pavement-selfish, happy, lavish want change? And can you?" lateral to hold against my suspect?

we Macdougal, my brokers, na colher direction. What did ebo tion is lest speech should lend then Mr. Yeama Oh, Dickie, safes to check up bonds end ly gowned, perfumed, and in- She paused; there was a sob in margins. I speculated in El-

it hsete. At last the children, rebellious On Christmas afternoon it had securities, and to consult neces-different to poverty. Along the her throat. "Drok, what is it? ectrical Supplies; at the present with anticipation, were coaxed to been the practice of Mr. Yeams sary papers. Being the presid-roadway streamed limousines You've been different since my mument I'm ten thousand dollars bed. When a sufficient time had to pay Mary a visit. He was a ent's right hand man and containing women of all natione, birthday; more more masterful to the bad. What are you going elapsed for them to be asleep, the man whose habit had been formed absolutely trusted, he made these wrapped in costly furs, turning lately." journeys unaccompanied.

to do with me?"

stealthy creep upstairs was at years before, when she was a little to the world amused and piquant "More masterful!" He laugh- That night Madge noticed that faces.

Such impenitent boldness took tempted, to fill their stockings. girl and her father, his friend, her father was nervous. She Bat

ed and claimed ber mouth. Mr. Yaame by surprise. "Do He went to Madge's room first. was alive. Glancing out of the at the table, with her books when he would have been envions believe in me, Mary! And, you head. "Do with

Once there had been a time. Why, even you're beginning to with you!" He scratched his She lay quite still in her narrow window, Dick saw with anger and spread out before her, preparing of these people. Once was

you! God bed, her fair hair streaming noroes dismay that the familiar brough a don't know..yet her school leesons; he was seated week ago precisely. He did not

ble-s my soul, if you can's redeem the pillow, her eyes fast shat em was halting at his gate. at his desk, with his pack toward feel any envy nowaly Ahie shoulder. Her voice came arisested!"

She pressed her forehead against those bonds, I'll have to have you Tiptoeing to the window, he peer- room. "I'm not going to see At last he had his opportunity, He faced quickly into the her. She watched him" so he humorous desire to balt one of stared at s sheet of paper, altered them and say:

muffled, chokingly.

**Well, I can't. For years I've ed out. Had they gone? What him." a figare, did nothing for a while, to look at; but may Madge and believed in you. But I didn't thousand dollars a year for it. they? His questions were answer she rested her hand on his arm. "You dear man! I always run your bank and received three were they doing? Where were Mary's lips had gone white; then tore the shoot into the tiniest Mary'll be exactly what you are show it in your way." of pieces and threw them into the some day."

One can't save much out of that ed dramatically: a shadow, that "Dear, I understand." The expectation of something and raise sí mly." waste paper basket, and began And then he wanted to prove plesaant to come took definite

had lain level with the shadow Not until he had accomplished

She clutched him fast, fearing all over again.

Mr. Yeams locked very end, ofa tre stirred. An exclamation his escape did her answer strike he would struggle from her. "I'm the assertion to begin proving shape in bis wife's heart from very grieved, very perplexed escaped him; he put his hand to him as peculiar. He had never more than the mother of She stole over to him and porch it without delay. Ohristmas was that moment. The air of mystery Parhaps he was worried by his mouth to stifle it. It was approved of the way in which children? Say my I am!" ed herself on the arm of his coming; it wasn't too soon to buy that surrounded him grow more chair, letting her soft hair fall presents. He glanced round. intense and gave ennotion to that sermons, such as Blessed are the through the dusk that Madge was social favours-favours from which strangled.

a passage he remembered from echoed. Tarning quickly, he saw Mary had accepted his employer's His voice came awed and against his face. She observed Tiffany's beckoned to him. In a expectation. Then there were merciful," ato. What he said was: ditting up in bed. Har slim arms he was tacitly excluded. But it departed there were all the other The horror had that he immediately covered up spirit of bravado, he entered swatant wires from New York, "I trusted you with everything. were held out to him and went when't like Mary, to admit zo days before him. Dearest, you what he was doing.

He had had no idea that trifles which no one was supposed to For myself, I'd let you off; but about him fiercely. "Oh, father, quietly that there were just have proved it. "Worried, father?" He stroked her hand. "Not hadn't dreamed of running him permitted to open.

could be 80 expensive. He mention, and which only he was the example would be bad." He father, who are they?"

grounds for his annoyance, What...“ And it took this to prove it !!!

she wept.

"I'm not murb

entered.

L

"Ah! Had any success?" conjured up this econe during Dick's blood boiled. He had the sleepless hours of many a long night, and he had always seen himself cringing for meray.

Where was his freedom

י.

11

why didn't you come to me yourself? There was my money. You thought I wouldn't... you thought I was too selfish! I taught you to think that. But I did save you, Dickie; and now

She ceased. He had jerked sway his mouth. He was listen- ing for the rush up the path, the clamouring of the bell, the bursting of the door-the-in- ing sobe of the woman quiver." vasion. He heard only the wrench.

ing against his breast.

Her head lay on his shoulder.

e bent above her." And

DOW?!!

your