The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-03-12
THE FOURTH
ESTATE
Novelized by
D. 81
FREDERICK r. TOOMBS
From the Great Play
.,4,. Of the Same Name by
Joseph Med1ll Patter-
SON and Harriet Ford.
Copyright. 1900. by Joseph Medin
Patterson and Harriet Ford.

shoulders, Vh,eler Brand, one of the
ablest Mc:: he city staff OF the
Advance. ) :. uto the office OF the
managing e,!.: through the door lead
Ing from the city and telegraph rooms
Eyes, sir he greeted McHenry.
Then he stopped short both in his
steps and in his speech. He had
caught sight of the managing editors
visitor. why. Judith" he gasped.
''What in heavens name are you doing
here? r. At this point words failed
him, and he stood staring at her. with
his breast heaving violently as the re-
suit Of his surprise.
The girl was also deeply disturbed In
spite Of her previous knowledge that
she was to be confronted by the man
she loved.
McHenry thought that the moment
had arrived when his presence was
no longer necessary.
Miss Bartelmy has asked to see you
for few minutes" he said. rising and
starting toward door. You may
talk here" 4 handful Of proof sheets
rustled in his grasp as be disappeared.
Wheeler Brand started toward the
girl.
SIS there anything the matter?" he
queried anxiously.
She hesitated before answering.
Then she spoke determinedly.
Eyes; two things. First, you did not
come to my reception this afternoon;
secondly. there is that article about
father this morning."
IT couldn't get off from the Office to
attend the reception, and l am awful
ly sorry" he protested. But as for
the story about your father-well, did
he send you here?"
mo, be didn't send me. But
couldn't help seeing how disturbed be
was. and
"Then he knew you were coming?'
"Why, yes" Judith was trying hard
to understand what he meant by seek
ing out her fathers knowledge of her
present mission. one which was to her
decidedly unpleasant.
Wheeler was plainly impressed, and
unfavorably SO, at the girls reply.
"Oh!' he calculated disappointedly.
The quickly thinking girl detected
the significant tone of the newspaper
writer's reply aud FASTENED to ex-
plain. ..r !.
Il heard my father say at dinner
that he feared there would be another
attack tomorrow" she said. land l
hoped through you to prevent its pub
LEGATION and to make the Advance
apologize for what it said this morn
ing. don't see how your paper dares
to publish such things"
"But, Judith" he answered, I'VE
couldn't dodge a story as big as that.
We had to print it. That's what we're
here for"
But she was still insistent.
"Oh, of course. print the story, but
mean the insinuation all through.
Why, by using such unfair means
newspapers can bring discredit on any
one. Mr.. McHenry refused to apollo
gize. He wouldn't even tell me who
wrote it. Do you know?'
Brand gave violent start At first,
in her present mood, he hardly dared
answer the girl With a determined
effort he pulled himself together and
answered her question.
Eyes. l know who wrote it,
"Who?" Judith leaned toward him,
gazing intently into his eyes.
Il wrote it." he announced.
Judith started back aghast.
"You, Wheeler? Why?" she cried
Historically.
II had no choice" He struggled to
maintain his grip on himself.
"You had no choice?"
Judith, when this Lansing Iron case
first broke loose" Brand responded
firmly, II saw straight off that it was
one of the slickest-wel(. that there
was big story in it. l didn't know
your father was involved In this at
first. l just followed the path, and
when saw where it was leading me
I wanted to turn back because of you,
but couldn't" He stopped for a mo:
ment, then went on: mo, no.. l could
not stop-not-even-for-you!' i.
"But it isn't loyal of you" was her
response. 1T wasn't like you-to at
tack him suddenly in this way. It's
almost as If you struck him from be-
hind. And do you not see, Wheeler,
that you are hurting me as much as
you tnjCre him? l am his daughter.
Wheeler. and If you ruin my father
you will ruin me-"
She covered her face with her hands.
and her bosom heaved convulsively In
her anguish.
CHAPTER II.
3VE7ldEELER BRAND gazed at