The Cairo bulletin., 1913-07-24

on his breast He had all at once
grown old-very, very old. Meantime.
Robertson had forced his own da2ed
brain back into q semblance OF its
former strong control.
Van Dyke" he said as calmly as II
he were giving a routine order, you
will have every trace of this story de-
stroyed tonight. II must never get
beyond this room. ! can count on
you?"
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, probably panic on Wall
street and the money interests tota!
IL temporary loss Of power in Goa
gress. For the moment. the great
corporation lawyer CHANGED to be also
man.
on his way from the room, Van
Dyke paused beside Blake's chair,
Jim. he said hesitatinely, I'm go
ing over to the capitol. Shall | tell
Mullins to let the bill come to a
vote?"
Eyes" answered Blake without stir
ring or so much as looking up.
yes" he said again. and his voice
SOs dead. "Yes-Tm-lm licked"
as Van Dyke opened the dor, Wan
Ia made as though to follow him,
IF you don't need me any further.
Mr. Blake" she said gently, 'I'll 60"
Blake lifted 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 we're left in the
room with him. Robertson was stand
ing moveless unseeing Grace's 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 thom
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"
Father"
The Woman faced him In dry-eyed
horror, Every trace of weeping was
scared away by the flame 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 grit" he choked,
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-iu-law's eye. you promised to pro-
tect her. This is the time to do it. 1t
was for better, for worse II 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 set
changeless face, he forebore.
Slowly, with bent shoulders and
dragging step Blake made his way to
the big rooms farthest end There, in
the windows embrasure, out OF ear
shot, his back to the others, he halted.
Drawing aside the curtains he
glanced out into the night. The gloom
OF the sleeping city was below and
around him. But, in one black mass,
tiers upon tiers of garish lights
glowed There, in the capitol, the
Mullins bill was coming to a vote.
There, Matthew Standish, freed by a
miracle from the tolls that craftier
men had woven about him, was win
ming the victory which was to clear
for him the pathway to the very sum
NIT of political power.
But he found his suhconscious self
straying from the picture he was so