The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-08-28

ole or two amid the passion OF her
sobs.
Almighty"
Blakes legs gave way and ne
sprawled inert into chair, his head
on his breast. He had all at once
grown old-very. very old. Meantime,
Robertson had forced his own dazed
brain back into a semblance of its
former strong control.
Van Dyke" he said as calmly as If
he were giving a routine order. you
will have every trace of this story de-
stroyed tonight. 1t must never get
beyond this room. 1 can count on
your"
Certainly" agreed Van Dyke with
equal GOODNESS.
There was no hint in his voice or
in his manner that Marks command
entailed the defeat of a bill, the col
lapse of millions of dollars worth of
stocks, a probably panic on Wall
street and the money interests total
if temporary loss of power in con-
gress. For the moment, the great
corporation lawyer CHANGED to be also
a man.
On his way from the room, Van
Dyke paused beside Blake's chair.
"Jim," he said hesitatingly, I'm go.
ing over to the capitol. Shall l tell
Mullins to let the bill come to q
voter"
"Yes," answered Blake, without stir
ring or SO much as looking up.
"Yes," he said again, and his voice
was dead. "Yes-Tm-I'm licked"
AS Van Dyke opened the dor, Wan
da made as though to follow him.
IF you don't need me any further
Mr. Blake" she said gently, "Ill CO."
Blake lifted a palsied hand in mega
ton.
In there" he muttered, pointing to
ward the door that led to the inner
rooms. Il must speak to you-after
ward"
When the old man raised his eyes
Mark and Grace alone were left in the
room with him. Robertson was stand
ing moveless unseeing. Graces sobs
broke the tense silence, as she fought
weakly for self-control. Blake crossed
over to her. She rose at his approach
Daughter" said Blake, almost tim
idly, they've all gone. None of them
will tell. But there's one thing we've
got to know. I'm with you, no matter
what you've done, But-but-tell me
-that-that this was all over and
and done with-before you married
Mark"
"Fatheri"
The Woman faced him in dry-eyed
horror. Every trace of weeping was
scared away by the fame of sudden
indignation, And, at the sight, jim
Blake gave a great wordless cry and
gathered her into his arms as though
she were a baby.
"Oh, my little grill" he choked
I Dads own, own little girl! We've
been tearing your poor heart to pieces
and your old father was the bitterest
against you. It's all right, tell you
girl. It's all right. Dadll see you
through. You shan't be bothered
There, there! Oh, don't cry like that
darling. Don't!"
His voice grew husky. Leaving her
abruptly, he crossed to Robertson.
Mark" he faltered, avoiding his
son-in-law's eye, you promised to pro-
tect her. This is the time to do 1t. II
was for better, for worse If that
vow is any good at all, it's a good
for worse as for better Mark-be
gentle with her, boy"
He seemed about to say more. But
glancing furtively at Marks sci
changeless face, he forebore.
Slowly, with bent shoulders ant
| dragging step Blake made his way II
the big rooms farthest end. There, II
the windows embrasure, out Of ear
shot. his back to the others, he halted
Drawing aside the curtains h,
glanced out into the night. The gloon
of the sleeping city was below an,
around him. But, in one black mass
tiers upon tiers of garish light
glowed. There, in the capitol. tn
Mullins bill was coming to q vote
There, Matthew Standish, freed by
miracle from the tolls that cratic
men had woven about him, was wiz
ming the victory which was to cles
for him the pathway to the very sun
NIT Of political power.
But he found his subconscious se
straying from the picture he was g
ruthlessly drawing. His mind woul
not fix itself on the lighted capitol an
the wreck of his hfe-work: but creI