Grant, Maxwell - The Shadow 039 - Road of Crime by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Detective, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Adventure, Thriller
ISBN: 9781596543072
Publisher: Street & Smith Publications
Published: 2006-01-30T05:00:00+00:00

FLINGING the newspaper to the floor, Graham lighted a cigarette and stared upward at the ceiling. Analyzing himself, he was forced to the realization that he was not a crook at heart. For the first time in many months, necessity for crime was no longer existent, so far as Graham was concerned. The young man found himself regretful of his past.

Why? Graham angrily asked himself the reason. What influence had prevailed, here in Southwark, to bring Graham to such a realization?

Various reasons were possible. One by one, the young man rejected them. While Graham was in this state of mind, the real answer appeared. Eunice Delkin entered the room.

Graham stared moodily and gave no greeting as the girl sat down in a chair a short distance away. Despite the sullenness in his gaze, Graham found himself admitting that Eunice was more than merely attractive. She was beautiful; and the quiet smile which she gave Graham had an immediate effect.

The young man realized that he admired Eunice Delkin beyond all persons whom he had ever met before. The reason for his mental conflict regarding crime was now apparent.

In his heart, Graham was in love with Eunice Delkin. At the same time, he realized that insurmountable barriers made it impossible for him to express the sentiment which he felt.

His past - with its crime - that was bad enough. Had his career been the only obstacle, Graham might have seen a possibility toward future happiness. It would be possible, under proper circumstances, to make amends for deeds of crime. Graham had no money; there was no way of establishing himself, except through taking advantage of Ralph Delkin’s friendship. Even that might lead to happiness; but a final barrier remained. Graham was thinking of Carma.

That marriage into which he had been tricked! It was the factor that made happiness impossible. Graham had never thought of Carma as his wife. To him she was still Carma Urstead, a gangster’s moll who had worked deceit and profited thereby.

As he studied Eunice Delkin, Graham Wellerton admired her frank, understanding countenance. He thought of Carma Urstead, whose overpainted face always bore traces of a mean, selfish nature. If the past few years could only be obliterated! That was Graham’s single thought.

Although Eunice Delkin did not know the thoughts that were passing in Graham’s mind, she realized that something was troubling the young man. She smiled sympathetically. Graham, to cover his thoughts, mumbled in grouchy fashion as he puffed his cigarette.

“Are you worrying about anything, Graham?” questioned Eunice in a kindly tone.

“No,” growled the young man. “What difference would it make, anyway?”

“A great deal,” rejoined Eunice. “I should like to see you happy - to see you enjoying life here.”

“Not much chance of that,” retorted Graham. “I hate this town. Maybe you think I’m ungrateful toward you and your father. Maybe he wonders why I won’t take a job in his factory, even after he showed me the plant and made me an offer. But I don’t care. Think what you want about me.

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