The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-08-14

| park entrance she thought no more of
| the past. The sight Of her son, head
| ing the file Of his wife's relations, his
| face set in an expression Of heavy de-
| lection, scattered her dreams of retro
! spect with SCATTERING impact.
The old woman's face was dark
with passion, her pale lips set into a
tight line. Money! Money might
make trouble and bring disappoint-
ment, but it would talk to those peo-
pie. Money was all they were after.
Well, they could have It!
She let three days go by before she
made the move she had determined on
ten minutes after she had passed Dom,
mick. The Wednesday morning fol-
lowing that Sunday she put on her
outdoor things and, dispensing with
the carriage, went down town on the
car to see Bill Cannon.
The Bonanza Kings office was on
the first floor Of a building owned by
himself on one Of the finest Montgom-
cry street corners. With her approach
heralded by a rustling of rich stuffs
and a sUbdued painting, she entered
the Office. She did not waste time
beating about the bush. Their talk
lasted nearly an hour. Before the in
terview ended they had threshed out
every aspect of the matter under dis
cussion. There would be no loose
ends or sighted details in any piece
of work which engaged the attention
of this bold and energetic pair of con-
spirators.
Two days after this momentous COM
bination Of her enemies, Berry was
sitting in the parlor of her fiat, writing
a letter. 1t was three o'clock in the
afternoon and she had just dressed
herself for her daily jaunt down town
She did not hear a foot ascending
the stairs, till a tap on the door-post
Of the room made her turn and ejacu-
late startled Come in!' The door
that led from the parlor to the hall
had been removed, and a bamboo por-
there hung in the opening. A large
masculine hand thrust apart the hang
ing strands, and Bill Cannon, hat in
hand, confident and yet apologize, en-
tered the room.
She looked at him inquiringly with
something Of wariness and distrust in
her face.
She remembered him to be friend
Of the Ryans', and she had arrived at
the stage when any friend of the Ry-
ans was an enemy of hers. She looked
at the old man guardedly, ready for
an attack and bracing herself to meet
1t.
You'll pardon this intrusion, won't
your" he said in deep, friendly voice.
She looked up at him and made
slight inclination of her head as she
had seen actresses do on the stage
Wont you sit down, Mr. Cannon ?"
she added.
Now, let me make my apologies for
coming. In the first place, I'm an old
man. We've got a few privileges to
compensate us for the loss of so much
that's good. Don't you think that's
fair, Mrs. Ryan,"
Berry liked him. There was some,
thing so easy and affable in his man.
ner, something that made her feel he
would never censure her for her past,
or, in fact. think about it at all.
I'm sure I'm very glad you camel
she said politely; ANY friend of Dom
inick's is welcome here"
viii you let me speak frankly,
Mrs. Ryan,"
Yes" said Berry. GO right ahead"
Mrs. Ryan will make you a rich
woman, Independent of any one, the
money yours to do with as you like,
If you'll consent to the few condi.
tons she eXacts"