The Argosy, Vol. 82, No. 3 — page 170: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

544 lamp’s glow. Reeves was on his feet in an instant. “Lady Ann!” he exclaimed. It was the girl. The cloak’s hood had fallen from her head revealing a tear- stained face, distraught and troubled. “Tf I had not known you were here, Mar- ty,” the girl almost whispered, “I should not have dared to come. Judge Brand,” and her voice rose shrilly, excitedly, “if I am really Lorena Adams why may I not have some of the money that is coming to me—now ?”’ She clutched her hands convulsively be- fore her. “Oh, I must have money at once; at once, do you hear, Judge Brand?”’ “Mujercita!” said Reeves, softly, sup- porting the girl with his arm while he led her to a chair. ‘What is wrong? What has happened?” Lady Ann sank into the chair, bowed her face in her hands and her whole form was racked with sobs. Reeves was astounded. Could this be the same girl who had been so happy, that morning, so sure of a bright future? He looked at the judge in perplexity. The older man’s face had grown kindly and gentle. He closed the door and laid a fatherly hand on Lady Ann’s shoulder. “Calm yourself, Lady Ann,” he urged. “Vou know you are with friends. What troubles your”’ The girl lifted her head and looked at Judge Brand with tears shining in her eyes. “Tt is a great deal of money I must have, Judge Brand,” she said brokenly; “fifty thousand dollars. I need it—I can’t do without it. Could you give it tome? My father left me a large fortune, you say, and surely I could spare fifty thousand dol- lars?” She caught one of his hands in both her own and clung to him with passionate ap- peal. The judge patted the hands reassuringly. “Why do you have to have all that money on such short notice, Lady Ann?” he asked. “Oh, I mustn’t tell you, I just can’t tell you,” she breathed, “but you must take my word.” “Tt isn’t necessary for you to have it to- night, is it?’ the judge asked. “It would take several days to secure such a large sum as that. You understand that part of it, don’t you?” THE ARGOSY. ‘Please get it for me as soon as you can. Will you?” Judge Brand lcoked down into the dis- tressed face of the girl for a moment. “Some one has made a demand for the money?” he inquired. | “Ves, yes,” Lady Ann whispered, and looked about her fearfully. “Tt was Jim Rayner, wasn’t it?” A frightened glow sprang into the wide, hazel eyes. “How did you guess?” wailed the girl; “how did you know?” ‘Never mind,” he answered soothingly. “You can trust me just as implicitly as you do Martin Reeves. We will protect you from Rayner, if not with the money, then with something that will meet the demand more effectively.” ‘“T am not the one who needs protection,” burst opt Lady Ann; “‘it is Pa Bobbett. He —he— Oh, I am telling you everything!” “Then Reeves and I will take care of Ezra Bobbett. He will not suffer through the schemes of Jim Rayner. Take my word for it. You believe that I am telling you the truth, don’t you?” “Yes, but you do not know—” ‘Perhaps I know more than you think. Go back to the Bazar, now, and don’t worry. Reeves will go with you. I pledge you my word that no harm will come to you, or to Ezra Bobbett. -Isn’t that enough?” ‘“T don’t see how you can understand,” said Lady Ann, dully. “I understand only a little. Ma Bobbett is almost distracted. An hour ago Ezra”—she_ shivered — “tried to shoot himself with a revolver, but Ma Bobbett caught it away just in time. After that, I just had to come to you, Judge Brand!” The seriousness of the situation plainly made a deep impression on the judge. “You go back to the Bazar, Lady Ann,” said the judge, ‘‘and tell Ezra Bobbett not to be a fool. Make it clear to him that I will see that Rayner’s demand is met, and in a satisfactory manner.” He stepped away from the girl and mo- tioned to Reeves. The latter went to Lady Ann. “You must have confidence in Judge Brand, mujercita,’ murmured Reeves. “He means exactly what he says.” “But the money—” “Tf the money has to be paid,” put in the judge, “I will pay it.” comichook (E@)