The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27
CHAPTER XIV.
Old Friends.

private room of his office suite in a
Bowling Green skyscraper and told
him a lady wished to see him. He was
about to instruct the clerk to ask for
the lady's card when, gIancing over
the youths head, he glimpsed a gol-
den CLEAN under a big hat with sweep
ing plumes through the doorway and
in an instant was crossing the thres.
hold with both hands extended.
my dear Doris!" he said This Is
really good Of you Things were get.
ting bit dull this morning"
Mrs. Missioner smiled in that per.
vading way that long ago had pene-
trated TO the very core Of the million.
aires inner consciousness. That smile
Illuminated Sands somewhat gloomy
sanctuary. He welcomed Mrs Mis-
sioner to a comfortable chair beside
his broad desk, swept aside the heap
of formidable papers with great gold
seals and futtering legal ribbons. and
leaned back in his chair quite content
to wait a century for his visitor to
speak again, provided her smile should
continue to beam upon him
mo, 1t is not about investments"
said Mrs. Missioner, noting the re-
strained inquiry in her admirers eyes.
II felt l had to talk to somebody
about Elinor; and Dorothy, you know.
is too amiably responsive to be Of any
use. Bruxton, what am to do about
that grip
I'm sure | don't know" he said at
length. 81 suppose something ought
to be done"
81 don't care what the detective
7aysl" exclaimed Mrs. Missioner, Il
m not going to Let Elinor Holcomb
hink any longer that her friend of
7r- to'ievo7 hor 20 be a thief. Il
Is unbearable! The man told me
that must not interfere in the case
IL l expected him to yindicate my sec
retary; but am not going to be gov.
erned by anyone TO that extent.
am going to see Elnor to-day. | am
going straight to that terrible place
and assure her that even though
permit her to be kept there, refuse
to entertain for q moment the idea
that she has broken any law of God
or mani"
" Are you sure this is wise, Dorls?"
inquired Sands gravely. As he stood
beside her, II was difficult to control
the impulse TO pour out before her the
adoration he felt at sight of her new
loveliness. She had never seemed
more beautiful than when she was
moved by sympathy for the girl who
at that moment, doubtless, was won.
dering If she had forsaken her.
Wise or not" returned the widow,
i shall do 1t. Something tells me
she is in need of sympathy this very
day. Why, Bruxton, how DO we know
what effect this dreadful incarcera-
tion might have upon her? II may
warp her entire nature; it may wreck
her health. Please do not try to dis.
suade me. have made up my mind
TO see her, and shall so there ut
once"
IL was short dash for the auto up
broadway, up Centre Street to the
Iombs, and 1t was with little difficulty
that Sands obtained for Mrs. Misslon,
er permission 70 see the prisoner.
Elinor came around the corner OF
the corridor with more animation In
her step than It had shown in many
day. She had hardly been able to
believe her eyes on reading Mrs Mis-.
sioner's name on the card thrust
through the grating Of her cell. Long
ago she had made up her mind that
the chain OF circumstances, or perhaps
an enemy, had sown in her kind
friends mind suspicion that she was
guilty. AS the days rolled on and she re.
ceiyed no word from Mrs. Missioner.
the conviction grew upon her. Even
this very day she had give up the
hope OF rehabilitating herself IN the
eyes OF her employer. Not that It was
an employer she mourned in loss OF
Mrs. Missioner's confidence Tho
rich widow was her friend had been
her family's friend, and had been tho
first to offer her a refuge IN tho ter.
rible days following discovery of the
fact that her kindly, gentle father. aft.
er lifetime of high endeavor, had left
FA'ANHN NAi' lANNAbANAl hhb kutW
he always intended TO make.
Dear Mrs. Missioner" cried Ellnor.
Fastening toward the widow as she
read affection and complete belief in
her countenanee. You have done
many lovely things for me, but this is
quite the dearestl 1t seems hard even
to picture you in such place, and
the reality"
You poor child" exclaimed Mrs.
Missioner, hardly controlling her
voice. What about yourself? II 1t
Is distressing to me TO come here. II
Is terrible for you to be here. How
can you stand it?"
"One learns to stand many things"
she answered. when fate commands;
yet If anyone had told me few weeks
ago that could so much as retain my
reason in place like this! Now that
you are here, It seems far easier. Oh,
but It Is good of you TO comet"
The widow took the girls hands in
her own and patted them softly as