The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 287: what you’re looking at

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

: THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY. sald Mrs. Jarvis. “I can understand your position. You were not to blame. But at that time there was such a ter- rible outery against those financial schemes that somebody had to suffer. And no one has ever heard of Wilkins.” “Td like to meet him,” I said. “ I could get satisfaction for something.” “Td like to thank him—with this,” said Jarvis, holding ont his fist. We had supper, and Vera seemed to me a pleasant girl. She was chatty, a trifle slangy, but withal witty and so- c1able. Jarvis gave ine a room, where I passed the night. The next morning I sat down and tried to plan. . “What you going to do first 7” Jarvis. “T think I shall call on Mr. and see what he advises.” “ You—you—sav that gasped. “Why, he cannot kill me. that I was innocent.” “Yes, he showed what he thonsht. I’d steer clear of him.” “But I must—I must know how-— Marjorie is.” All through the long months in the prison I had longed for a word from Marjorie. But none had come. Jarvis wrangled, but I was obstinate. “Tf,” I said, “ lam to be an outeast, if this brand that has been unjustly put upon me is to ruin mv life, I will begin with him. I shall go to the Metropolis Bank.” “T agree with Mr. Merrill, papa,” said Vera. “It Mr. Elsinere wishes to be just and charitable, he can do no more than assist Mr. Merrill to find a situation, even though it may not be one of trust.” I winced then. No longer was I to be considered worthy of confidence. I entered the bank building, and found a new man in the corridor. | “T came to see Mr. Elsmere,” I said. “Right in there, sir,’ he replied, pointing to the door I knew so well. I stepped to it, knocked gently, and opened it. A flood of red blood flamed into my cheeks, for there, standing near her father, was: Marjorie. Her mother sat but a few feet distant. asked Elsmere he again!” Ife knows rere gle eve you. 28:3 “ Marjorie!” I exclaimed. What a change had come over the beautiful girl. She was thinner and whiter, and a look of continual pain was in her eyes. At my word she turned and stood as if paralyzed. Her face grew ashen. She trembled from head to foot. Then with a ery lke that of a wounded animal she placed her hands over her eves and fell into her mothers arms. “What does this unwarranted intru- sion mean?” demanded Mr. Elsmere, rising. the smell of the prison stil upon you, dare venture into my offiee? The man who admitted you shall be discharged! ” “Papa!” moaned Mfarjorie. “ Your carriage is ready, my dear,” said Mr. Ielsmere to his wife. Without a look at me, but with a stony expression on her face, Mrs. Els- mere rose and led the trembling girl out. Marjorie did not look at me. I was left alone with her father. “ Mr. Elsmere,’ I said, “* I do not de- serve this treatment at vour hands. I came to you, not as an equal, but as a ruined man seeking advice as to how I could obtain honorable employment.” “IT don’t see,” he answered, fuinbling with some papers, “ what advice I can Of course [ know you would not expect to resume the acquaintance- ship with my family. Marjorie is now —cr—engaged—to Lord Montervale, of England. I expect the wedding— soon. Now, as to your own affairs, [ would advise you to wait a few months —say a ycar-——and show the world vou intend to be honest.” “The devil! ” I cried, stirred beyond my usual self control. “I was never anything else. If I had intended to be dishonest I could have had two hun- dred thousand dollars waiting for me now. But every cent I had was given over to the depositors. I stole nothing, and this would not have happened had it not been for Wilkins.” “Oh, I do not wish to argue that question. And since you are insulting and abusive I will ask you to leave. I am very busy.” “T will leave, Mr. Elsmere. But the GOI OOoO ©O “By what right do you, with SS (COL