The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-05-25

those who make a painful task
more painful by needlessly
postponing 1t. Judge Hemingway was
sitting in chambers. This Blount had
learned when he was returning from
his call upon Blenkinsop. With the
way open before him there was moth
ing to do but TO walk in 1t.
The courthouse was only two
squares east and one south from his
ofaces in the Temple court building,
and on one of the intervening corners
stood the towerlike building OF the
Daily Capital
II was on the Capital corner that
Biount halted, asking himself how far
he would be justified in withholding
aryson's statement from the editor I'M
til after the scandal had been public
property through its appearance on
the court records. Open publicity had
been his watchword from the begin
( ming, and was he to hesitate now be-
cause the ties of kinswan were holding
him back7
While he was hesitating before the
door OF the newspaper Office a small
red touring car dropped out Of the
stream Of vehicles in the street and
stopped at the curb. A moment later
he became conscious that the single
occupant OF the car was calling to him.
It was Patricia, and her mood was
reproachful.
81 like the way you treat your
friends" she said when he had cross
ed quickly to her. what have done
that you should send word to me that
you couldn't or wouldn't see meT'
"You have done nothing nothing at
ALL" he made haste to say. II have
been overrun all day with callers-peo-
ple who had much to ask and nothing
to give in return. had no idea that
you would come so early when told
Collins to deny me to everybody. And
there was another thing. If you could
know
1T am very willing to know" she In
tarrupted.
The newspaper corner was one OF the
busiest In the city, and its curb was no
place for condolences. Blount stepped
quickly around the front end OF the
red car and swung himself into the
seat beside its driver. Drive into one
OF the quieter Streets" he said. land
+. I'll share the miserable burden with
you, as have shared all the others"
And when the little car was creeping
on the low gear out one Of the broad
residence avenues he told her all. exag-
gerating nothing and palliating moth
ing.
II can't reason against the facts,
Evan. You know what you are saying
and why you are warranted in saying
It." she began. "But stu believe alb
solutely in your father. What are you
going to do?"
'"The only thing there is to do" he
returned, with note Of harshness in
his voice which was only a measure OF
his suffering. when you picked me
up on the Capital corner l was on my
way to Judge Hemingway's chambers
with the afidavits. I have taken q
solemn oath. Patricia, and the Law
which I have sworn to uphold is great
er than
He was going TO say ais greater thar
any mans immunity" but she finished
the sentence otherwise for him.
'1s greater than your love for you
father. / suppose I ought to be able t
understand that, but am not. Evan
you must not do 1t. Every drop o
that fathers blood in your veins ough
to cry out against It."
"Ah," he said, with a quick tndraw
ing Of his breath, you don't know
what it is costing mev'
Truly, don't. Evan, your fathe
Is a great and good man. If he had
daughter instead of a son she woul
know 1t. / wish were his daughter
should try to show him that blood
thicker than waterr'
you wish you were his daughter
Do you realize what you are say
ingT Then. brokenly: Don't, Patriots
Don't make me do evil that good ma
come. Can't you understand how
am driven to do this thing, how ever
fiber OF me is rebelling against th
savage necessity God knows I'd Civ
my life and all my hopes Of happ
ness II the necessity could be wipe
outr'
Instantly she changed her attack.
'Tf 1 can't bribe you must an
win convince you," she persisted
''You are a brave man, Evan. know
because have seen you tried. 70
mustn't turn cowardly now"
Nor shall T." he countered quickl!
''But don't understand"
"Don't your Isn't 1t cowardly
strike this cruel blow in the DARK
You know your father isn't here to d.
3end himself You can't do such
thing without at least giving him Il
warning that you would give your bi
terest enemy"
"His absence Is merely an adde
twist OF the thumbscrews," he said
fresh wretchedness. He is not her
and the time is too short to get hi