Sit in your chair there and be a man. Half an hour ago
I thought you a thief--I don't now. You had your time of weakness,
perhaps all men have that; you fell by the wayside. I don't think you'll
do it again"
"No, no, no! I wouldn't go through the hell I've lived in again for all
the money in the world. And I'm so glad that it is known; I feel
relief."
"Well, it is better that the truth has come out, because everything can
be put right. I was going to make you pay back the thousand dollars to
Mortimer--I was going to drive you from the bank--I was going to let it
be known that you had stolen the money, but now, I must think. You must
have another chance. It's a dangerous thing to wreck lives--"
"My God! it is; that's what haunted me night and day. I felt as though
I had murdered a man who had been my friend. I knew he thought young
Porter had taken it and was shielding him. The memory of the misery in
Mortimer's face at being counted a thief would have stuck to me if I had
lived a hundred years."
Cass had interrupted Crane. When he ceased again out of exhaustion,
Crane proceeded, "Mortimer must be paid back the money."
"I'll save and work my fingers off till I do it."
"You can't.
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