The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-11-26


in one another.
You are scrambling here for u few
dollars III this bank What can you
do with il when you draw il out:
There is not enough cash in the world
10 transact a single days business.
Business is run on credit-faith. The
business of a bank is 20 keep money
moving and make ii do the worlds
work. You are attempting 10 stop
the work by the destruction of its
faith
Suddenly a man who had quietly
pushed his way through the crowd
sprang on the step befOre the speaker
and thrust a revolver into his face.
A cry of horror swept the crowd.
as Stuart paused. turned pale and
looked steadily down the flashing bar
rel into the madman's eyes.
who started this work of destruc
tom" the man cried. 'You-you-do
you hear me: And I've been com
named by God Almighty to end this
trouble Ivy ending you
As Stuart held the glittering eyes
levelIed ut him across the blue black
barrel he could see the mans nervous
and uncertain finger twitching at the
trigger With Il sudden panther like
spring he leaped across the five feet
which separated him from the man
who held the revolver His left hand
gripped the weapon and threw ii into
the air az it was fired. while his right
hand closed OH the throat of his asSail
ant With his knee against the mans
breast he hurled him GOWN the steps.
wrenchpd the revolver from his hand
and with Il single blow knocked him
into insensibility.
The spell was broken. The mob that
hated him saw their chance. A yell Of
rage swept them. and dozen men
sprang toward him with curses For
moment he held his own. when sud
denly we'll directed blow from behind
knocked him down. In blind fury he
felt the smash Of blows on his face
and head. \ stream of blood was
trickling down his forehead and its
salty taste penetrated his mouth.
\ sudden crash from space seemed
ing Splin.prS and the light faded. He
heard the soft rustic of silk aud felt
the pressure of Il woman's lips on his.
Surely he must he dead. WAS the first
thought that flashed through his mind.
Aud then from somewhere far away
in space came Mans voice low and
tense:
come back. Jim. dear. I've some
thing to tell yDu YOu can't die. you
shall not Iii" until I've told you
He opened his eyes and found Nan
bending over him His hand rested on
her soft arm. and his head lay piIlowed
on her breast
why, Nan. its you: What's hap
pcned: What on earth are you doing
here"
He looked about the room and saw
that he was in the inner office of the
president uf the bank. alone with Biv-
ems wife lie was lying on the big
leather couch.
Il heard that you were going TO speak
this morning. | wanted 10 hear YOU
and came | arrived just az you be-
gan and managed 10 get into the bank.
| 50 " that man try to kill you. Jim,
and that crowd of wild beasts tram
ping YOU to death. Two detectives
pulled YOU out and dragged you into
the tank"
\ doctor entered and quickly dressed
Stuart's wounds. and turned TO Nan.
He'll he all right i'm Il week or so.
on breaking the run OH another bank
by the spell of his eloquence. | hope
you can persuade him not to try that
again"
Il think I'm fully persuaded, doctor"
Stuart answered srimiy. I've seen
great light today"
When the doctor had gone All Nan
was left alone with Stuart an embar-
raised silence fell between them.
She was quietly wondering if he were
fully UNCONSCIOUS when she was sob
bling and saying some very foolish
things. Above all. she was wondering
whether he knew that she had kissed
him.
When her car stopped at South
Washington square and Stuart insisted
on scrambling out alone. she held his
hand tight moment and spoke with
trembling earnestness:
You will see me now. Jim, and be
friends?"
He answered promptly.
Yes, Nan. | will The world is new
er going to lie quite the same place for
me after today. There was one moment
this morning in which | think lived
thousand Years"
4 hot flush stole over the w0man'S
beautiful face ~ she looked steadily
into his eyes and quietly asked:
What moment was that
The 'rnnent looked down that gun
barrel. SaW the stupid hate in that
FOOLS eyes ana felt the thrOb of the in
sane desire 10 kill in the people behind
him. the people for whom I've been
giving my life joyous sacrifice"
Nan smiled II sigh of relief.
"Oh. | see. Well. you've made me
very happy with yo1r promise know
You will keep your word.
He pressed her hand firmly.
You are more beautiful than ever. |
Nan. Yes, III keep my word. Goodby
until | call
And the woman smiled in triumph.
(Contf1ued Tomorrow