The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-02-19

shadnwy obscnrity for which he WIS
designed. And no man ever saw
him
II MIS- ut crucial time for those
whom Ills chronicle concerns when
.Ierry Brett and John Dnnmeade were
marching from Dan 10 Beershebd and
hack and laboring. with a patience
worthy IF larger results. to rally the
slender h-sts Of reform: when Stephen
Hanpaen was risking his all in one
Wild throw for vast fortune and War
reil islake was following that daring
example: when the Consolidated Coal
ronmny was making many happy by
declaring dividend of 4 per cent.
In the kingdom things were awry.
The rival monarch was laundering at
the gates Worse still. there was dis
affection in the very source of
dominion. in the army. And the min
lister in power chose this hour-to get
drunk. Anxious chances were being
cast toward the deposed minister in
his self exacted exile Royal messen
gers were being sent gallopfng post
haste to him TO urge him. with fine.
unconscious irony. for the sake of past
favor to speak the word that would re-
store concord among the mutinous
regiments. But the ominous silence
continued unbroken.
At such a juncture. we say. John
Heath stepped in to defect the course
Of history.
Came to the exile. not many days aft
er Miss Roberta. a messenger not un
der royal seal. Secretary, we may call
him. to the new minister. having eur
ried favor by desertion of the old
He was visibly perturbed and would
not desist from his opportunities I'M
til admitted to the presence of the
exile. Even then. such was his fever
ish haste. be did not notice in his
host. as Miss Roberta had done. a
vigor inconsistent with certain rumors
rife. He plunged at once into the mat
ter in hand
We've got Sherrod locked mp in
room at the hotel. He's drunk as
lord and threatens to throw himself
into the riverr'
"Well-let himr' said Murchell. grim
~ heartless
But" cried the messenger. sit may
be something to bring on a revolution
that will sweep US all-Sherrod. Par
rott. me-you-off the face of the
earth"
-" responded MurchelI calmly. Jam
out of politics and don't care What
do you want me to dog
Come with me TO the capital fiad
hats wrong and straighten it out =
go to PARROT"
PARROTS fourfusher This is
critical
Il won't do it. It's trouble of your
own making. Get yourselves out of it
The messenger sprang to his feet
and began to pace the floor swiftly
He assumed to instruct a master
With wild gesticulation and passion
ate phrase he sketched the impending
calamity. The times were ripe for n
revolution These unutterabIe fools
Dunmeade and Brent with their inces
SAINT clack about bosses and graft
were getting the people stirred mp
There was trouble in the air-he. the
speaker. could feel it. The organiza
ton was falling to pieces.
''Do you think" MurcheIl inquired
calmly. ''Sherrod's short in his ac
counts?''
81 don't know There are books |
can't see without exciting suspicion.
And can't get nothing out of him"
The swift pacing ceased abruptly
The messenger confronted Murchell
Who. he demanded. sis John
Heath?"
81 don't know" answered MurcheII
truthfully.
.Within less than two years he has
received from the state more'n nine
hundred thousand dollars for special
servicesr'
Nine hundred thousand dollars.
What is John Heath?''
Il don't know. But | think he may
be-h-l,"
The messenger topped into his chair.
helping himself. unlimited. TO cigar
Murchell. as though taking up task
that the other had left unfinished rose
and in his turn began to pace the floor
After few minutes be went out of
the room still without speaking he
did not reappear for almost quarter
OF an hour But then he wore hat
and an overcoat and was carrying
light leather grip.
Come along" he commanded THE
hacks waiting"
The guest went along with alacrity
When they had reached the Steel City
and had changed cars for the capital
train Murcheil went to their stateroom
and was soon. TO all outward appear
ances. sound asleep.
At that mystic hour which we are
told is the darkest of all two men were
sitting in hotel room. One Watkins.
sat stretched out before the dying fire
yawning wiStfully for the sleep of
which twenty four hours guard duty
had robbed him A litter of uewSna.
perS on the floor around him showed
how he had beguiled the slow vigil.
The other. Sherrod. was slouched in
rocker by the table head dropped for
ward on his breast and hands hanging
inertly at his sides. The red trimmed
eyeballs were half closed Drunk evi
IDENTIFY. and more than that Occasion
ally his lips moved: senseless mutter
ings came from them
Steps along the hail. and there was a
guarded knock at the door. He opened
cautious crack. peeped out and then