Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-01

the dispatch told the truth about Cooper
he did not for moment even speculate
upon. He disbelieved it with all his heart.
But he did not suspect that it was not gen.
timely sent by Selkirks orders. He recalled
the editors Worn and plainly worried APP
pearance that morning as he had told him
that Hubbard would have some dispatches
to be sent later in the day. He recalled the
lack of enthusiasm which he had shown
when he, Bernard, had spoken about the
election.
Lord said Bernard to himself. Il didn't
think that Selkirk would play his best
friend a dirty trick like that l don't
blame him any for not wanting to come
back to Toms River tonight.
But ii did not even occur to him that he
ought not to send the messages. There is
no class of men in whom the idea of de-
votion to duty is more markedly developed
than it is among telegraph operators. To
delay the dispatches, or to change them,
or to violate the rule of the company that
the business of its customers must be held
in violable secrecy did not cross his mind.
He settled down in his chair again, and, al
though his heart beat high with indgna-
ton against Selkirk for betraying his friend,
he began to call upon his instrument once
more.
But before an answering tick had come
upon the wire. Mercy, who had watched
the passengers alght from the incoming
train, and found with disappointment that
Selkirk was not among them, entered the
room
'Oh, Frank" she said, "havent you
heard anything from Mr. Selkirk?"
Bernard looked up at her with a face that
was absolutely haggard. He reached over
to the corner of the table where the dis
patch from Selkirk was lying and handed
it to her.
Yes - he said. This came in a little
while ago"
She read it and looked at him with an
expression of disappointment on her face
4 m so sorry she said
Frank shut off his KEY again and pazed
at her. He reflected that she did not sus-
pect yet, of course. that her lovers alb
sence could be for any unworthy motive;
put that she was worrying, probably with
out knowing just why.
Il didn't know he was going at all" she
said He must have forgotten to send
WORD to me, or-or something"
Frank kept moody and embarrassed
silence He reflected that he knew why he
had left in that way! He couldn't nm.
derstand it, but he knew.
AS he looked at her and saw the plain
ulstfess upon h>r face his sense of loyalty
10 ms company began to weaken Indig-
nation against the man who would treat
Mercy Cooper in the way Selkirk had
anyone who would treat Bess Cooper's
sister IN that way-began to boil in him
her falth in Selkirk was very evidently
absolute. Her eyes ought to be opened
before she learned of his miserable sin on
the public streets from some stranger as
Barnard had no doubt that she would he
He Stammered:
Miss Mercy" he said. Twelve got
something here that l think-I think YOU
ought to see. / haven't any right to show
II TO you but l think you ought to see it,
she was very much interested, but was
stlll quite unsuspecting-he could see that.
w nat do you mean?' she asked.
Without another word he held the mes
She glanced at it indifferently, but as she
read the color left her face and she be-
came visibly excited. She stammered as
she said to him:
'Where-dd you get this?"
Billy brought it," said Barnard "h,,
Selkirk told me to expect it before he went
away inns morning. 1t was the last thing
| he said to me before he went on board the
| train WV
Well" said Mercy, and hesitated. She
| ran her tongue in quick little trips along
her lips that had begun, suddenly, to feel
| dry ana burning. "You're-you're not going
| to send it, she said, hopefully
| I've got to send it," he said, dejectedIy.
1 don't want to, but I've no right to hold
messages. It's an outrage, though and I
| thought you ought to know Perhaps you'll
want to tell your father. He ought to know
I'd tell him ii was you, quickly as l
| could?"
Then you won't send it?" said Mercy,
! half daZed.
"Oh, I've got to send it," said Barnard
He held out his hand for the papers and
| she mechanically gave them to HIM He
| left his chair and at some distance
! from the table and the Instruments He
| moved toward them.
But, Frank" Mercy protested, that will
| defeat father!'
| I'm afraid that's what it's intended to
| do, Mercy" he said
| ''Of course 1t is said She with woman's
| logic. so you see, Jack couldn't have
| wanted II to be sent! It's not in his hand
| writing"
| No said Barnard, but before he went
| away he told that ii wouldn't be- Just be-
| fore the train started he said that he hadn't
| time to write the dispatch, but that Hub
| bard had the material and would write 1t
| and send it down. l took the note up to
| Hubbard, telling him to myself / can't
| understand it, but Selkirk wanted to have
! 1t sent all right. He was worried almost
! to death when he went away. / noticed