Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-03-10
The Daughter of David Kerr
By HARRY KING TOOTLE
illustrations BY
Copyright by A. c. llccIurg & Co. r0Ia
T. 90 T L E
by r ay Walters


"The News says David Kerr is back
of It," exclaimed Winthrow, holding
up the paper for Judge Gilbert to see.
and that it's the biggest steal In the
history of Belmont"
| What's that?" Kerr demanded,
coming forward.
Il didn't see you, Mr. Kerr" the re-
porter apologized, "but here it is on
the front page"
| Come. Gloria" Wright pleaded with
/ her
Il can't go yet"
Beside her stood Williams, still en-
gagged in reading the flaring headlines
or the paper he had brought into the
room with him. She seized his paper
from him and began to read the start
ling words.
ITS an Infamous liei" shouted Gil
bert. crushing in his hands the paper
Z he had been scanning "Dr. Hayes,
will you please escort Miss Gloria and
Mrs. Hayes to their carriage?"
"Stop!" commanded Gloria. The
hum of indignation sweeping over the
room YVES stilled. All turned to the
daughter of David Kerr. ~Is4athis
| true?"
"What?" asked Gilbert.
What the paper says7" She held
up the paper, her hands trembling
Then she began to read: "If the party
now in power wins, Belmont will sure
" a sol 10 ho OF oh I,
terminal trust. The deal, which
means millions for the INSCRIPTIONS
promoters and nothing for Belmont,
has been engineered by that king Of
underhand manipulators, one no less
INSCRIPTIONS than the very men to
whom he would sell his town, David
Kerr!"
There was horror in her tones and
she held the paper from her as a
thing unclean.
'Is this true?" she demanded impe-
riously.
Not a word of it. Judge Gilbert
was quick to answer.
Not you" She turned to David
Kerr Father, is it true?",
The boss of Belmont looked like
some wounded wild animal brought to
bay. He gazed with speeches. rage
at Joe Wright, and then looked at his
daughter. She stood with arm out
stretched to him, mute but eloquent
appeal for a denial. The big man
shook himself, as If calling forth all
his strength for a final effort, and
Strengthened himself to his full height.
Looking her squarely in the eye he
replied firmly:
mo, Gloria, 1t amt true"
The sigh she gave as her arm
dropped to her side seemed to be
prayer of Thanksgiving that he had
come through the ordeal unscathed.
She knew ne would, but she wanted
the words of denial from his own lips.
Her next order showed every one
that she was the daughter of David
Kerr.
Then punish the man who pub
lished the lie."
Wrfght's heart seemed to stop beat
ing as he heard the words that had in
them all the finality of a funeral bell.
Kerr had his own reasons for wish
ing to minimize the matter. Joe Wright
he would willingly, gladly have sacri-
feed, but he did not know how it
would react on Gloria. He could find
means to make the newspaper man
suffer without Gloria being cognizant
of the fact.
That's just Western politics." The
boss tried to pass it off lightly. Don't
let that bother you
He must be punished. 1 say" Her
indignation knew no bounds. Would
you let it go unchallenged that l am
the daughter of such a man."
Kerr was aroused by her spirited
manner. 1t would be necessary, he
saw, for him to carry it through to
the end.
Suppose it was Joe Wright" he
asked
The occasion was too serious fer
smile, but in her heart she laughed
away the suggestion. She wanted to
show her contempt for a man who
through newspaper would utter such
lies, and she therefore replied:
THAT can't be. He isn't that kind
of man. But If he did, would still
say"
ct is Joe Wright" Kerr roared.