The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-11-13
some day tell her story to you"
Now that you have heard the story,
what shall YOU do?" asked Brenda

what shall you dog asked BRENDA
ut seems evident" replied Elmen-
dorf. that DR.. Blair is the physician
referred to in that story. He has
known her secret from the beginning.
That was why she had him mere, to
plead with him. Well, I've no faith in
Blair. He's crooked. or I'm no judge.
But lie seems to have played n fairly
creditable part toward Elsie Miller"
"Dr. Blair" exclaimed Brenda.
Think Of his being called to dress her
wound! Think Of his standing there
I'm that room with Neale and ourselves
and keeping his W counsel so quiet
ly! / begin to have an admiration for
him."
"Well I wouldn't go so far as that
said Elmendorf. He has had his self
ish ends to serve. However. that Is
neither here nor there now. | am
going to him and l shall make him tell
me who that man is"
Her husbands"
Yes"
Then what will you do" she
added.
Find him." said Elmendorf. land
see that he gets what he deserves.
This will afford me many different
kinds Of satisfaction, Miss Maclane.
| shall have credit for 1t in the news
papers, and they're the only friends
I've got. My job will be safe for an
other year at least; | shall beat Joe
Neale, whom | hate devoutly, and.
lastly, l shall get square with the cow
ard who struck down that little girl.
have longed for him ever since l
first saw her. It's a poor thing to do
for her, but it's all | ever can do. I'm
afraid"
ut Is no service to her." said Brenda:
| "far from it. You will reveal her
secret"
"Nothing can save that" he replied.
at is a mere dream to think 1t can be
DONE"
at is not a dream" rejoined Brenda.
..1t stA.i be kept a secret II possible
She is wise to wish it. though Of
oonrso sha s,or'd tell Mr., Alden, EAU
course sue snoui- -,on no ho-.;,d
that she will do as >. az ne' m!i'
gets back to its proper bai1hce atter
it's LON strain with his wretched story.
But she is right In thinking that pub
llcation Of 1t will leave a stain upon
her and perhaps bring many sorrows
TO herself and Mr.. Alden. 1t will be
| distorted and redistorted In the telling
until the DOR girls name can never
be clear of 1t. And in any case have
given my word. Mr.. Elmendorf, Will
money help?"
Elmendorf was silent.
81 think you are not a man to take a
bribe." she began.
"Yes. am" said Elmendorf de-
cisively, "but not just here. If the cir
cumstances were different. why, l
could be bought and sold like my as
%sociates. But this isn't the time nor
the place"
"You would like to get out Of this
life into a better one" said Brenda =,
81 suppose most Of US would" re
piled Elmendorf. Except that dying ID
disagreeable."
Brenda laughed, as one sometimes
will at a funeral. from the effect OF
contrast.
81 didn't mean that" she said. Il
meant that you would like another
way of earning your bread. And l
think you might haye very high amoi'
tons in another career. My father
will put you In the way Of profitable
business. but don't fancy | would
tempt you with an empty promise. !
am. rich in my own right by Inheritance
from my mother. and ! will be glad to
help you. We will give this a color of
perfectly honorable dealing. and It
shall be so indeed. Take $4,000 OF
my money and select whatever busi-
ness pIeas9s you. and ! will be a silent
partner. an equal partner. in the en-
terprise."
Fifty thousand dollars" said FL
mendorf. with awe In hts ones. why,
Miss Maclane. this Is what | have
prayed for. The idea Of a tenth OF 1t
is the explanation Of my going on the
force. And 10 think that 1t should
come at last In a way that ! can't touch
it! BILLY Elmendorf's luck as the boys
say"
At this Kendall. passing
run away to a strange city, trusting to
luck to be married there"
Brenda kissed ElSie's hand again
very tenderly.
"Il tell you what, my dear" said
she; ''the fact is that you have brooded
over this matter until you are not quite
sane about it 1 really mean what l
say. Now, this is my advice to You:
Tell Mr.. Alden this story just as soon
as you're strong enough to do it and
Elsie gripped her hand hard.
81 have told you this in confidence"
she said. "Give me your solemn word
that you will never breathe II sylla-
BILE of it.; that you will help me in ev-