rst. Garry had not
told me all when you were here two nights ago; he did not tell me until
after you left. Then I knelt down by his bed and put my arms
around him and he told me everything--about the people he had
seen--and--McGowan--everything." She ceased speaking and hid her eyes
with the back of one hand as if to shut out some spectre, then she
stumbled on. "We took the early train for New York, and I waited until
my stepfather was in his office and went into his private room. It was
Garry's last hope. He thought Mr. Breen would listen to me on account
of mother. I told him of our dreadful situation; how Garry must have ten
thousand dollars, and must have it in twenty-four hours, to save us all
from ruin. Would you believe, Jack--that he laughed and said it was an
old story; that Garry had no business to be speculating; that he had
told him a dozen times to keep out of the Street; that if Garry had any
collaterals of any kind, he would loan him ten thousand dollars or any
other sum, but that he had no good money to throw after bad. I did all I
could; I almost went down on my knees to him; I begged for myself and my
mother, but he only kept saying--'You go home, Corinne, and look after
your baby--women don't understand these things.' Oh, Jack!--I could not
believe that he was the same man who married my mother--and he isn't.
Every year he has grown harder and harder; he is a thousand times worse
than when you lived with him. Garry was waiting outside for me, and when
I told him he turned as white as a sheet, and had to hold on to the iron
railing for a moment. It was all I could do to get him home. If he sees
Mr. McGowan now it will kill him; he can't pay him and he must tell him
so, and it will all come out."

"But he will pay him, Corinne, when he gets well."

There came a pause. Then she said slowly as if each word was wrung from
her heart:

"There is no money. Garry took the trust funds from the church."

"No money, Corinne! You don't mean--you can't--Oh! My God! Not Garry!
No--not Garry!"

"Yes! I mean it. He expected to pay it back, but the people he is with
in New York lied to him, and now it is all gone." There was no change in
her voice.

She stood gazing into his face; not a tear in her eyes; no quiver of her
lips. She had passed that stage; she was like a victim led to the stake
in whom nothing but dull endurance is left.

Jack backed into a chair and sat with bowed head, his cheeks in his
hands.