The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-08-27

Dands little eyes, we are mere as law
yers, making an investigation. At last
we have struck the right trail. I am
sorry it leads where it does. I"
He got no further. At a stride Rob
ertson was beside his wife. Roughly
brushing aside Wanda's embracing
arms he caught Grace by the shoulder
and held her.
You hear what this man insinu-
ates?" he cried thickly. Il don't ask
you to foul your lips by denying it.
I'll attend to him later But give me
the right to do that by telling the
Woman's name at once"
"Grace!" croaked Blake, his throat
sanded with a horror that he would
not confess, don't you hear what
they're saying, girl?"
In his harsh eagerness, Mark forci-
lily lifted his wife's bent head and
forced her eyes to meet his.
What's the matter?" he demanded
sharply. why don't you speak? Tell
Van Dyke he lies. Tells him he lies,
say! Obi"
His fierce appeal broke off in cry
of pain. He had at last raised her
face and had read it. For the briefest
moment he stood stupefed, expression
less. Then, cautiously, half-cringing-
ly, as If expecting a blow, he moved
back to Van Dyke
why, Grace!" exposLuIaUed BIaKe,
in pitiful bravado. You're crazy!
You don't know what you're implying
what you're letting them think.
won't believe it. Not a word Of 1t.
It's trick Toto"
She caught his shaking hand and
murmured a broken incoherent syllar
bic or two amid the passion of her
sobs.
Almighty"
Blake's legs gave way and he
sprawled inert into a chair, his head
on his breast. He had all at once
grown old-very, very old. Meantime,
Robertson had forced his own dazed
former strong control.
ivan DYKE" he said as calmly as if
he were giving routine order, you
will have every trace of this story de-
stroyed tonight. 1t must never get
beyond this room. I 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, 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 60
ing over to the capitol. Shall l tell
Mullins to let the bill come to a
voter"
YES" answered Blake, without stir
| ring or so much as looking up.
Yes" he said again, and his voice
was dead. "Yes-Tm-Pm 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, t'I'l co.
Blake lifted a palsied hand in mega
ton.
In there" he muttered, pointing to-
ward the door that led to the inner
rooms. II 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. 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 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
J Mark"
"Father!"
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,
Dads own, own little girl! We've
been tearing your poor heart to pieces