The Ordway new era., 1914-02-27

one boy In ADVANCE or the others, the
three men walked hastily to tho win
dow and looked out on the street. eEv-
eryone was rushing for a paper. or
else standing with the sheet in his
hand staring at the first page with
its big black type.
Recovering himself suddenly, Wright
tried to talk to Gloria to drown the
| noise. but 1t was too late.
What is that noise? What are they
shouting for?" she asked. Listen"
She put her hand on his arm as a sig
nal to say nothing while she tried to
hear what the boys were saying.
"Extry Extry! Get News! All
about the grafters! Extry! Read the
big steal! Full account O. the railroad
grab! Big men and boodlers in COM
bine. Extry! Extry!"
1t was now a flood of sound as the
boys came under the window.
| What's 1t all about?" the girl
| asked
That's nothing. only crowd Of
newsboys raising racket. Gloria.
listen to me. We must get away from
here. Even II you're happy in Bel
mont. I'm not. Won't you do this for
me? Let's get away from this Office
and talk 1t over"
She shook her head. and refused to
move.
| Gloria, you must do as say with
out question. Just this once, please"
| Both turned at this instant. as did
the others. startled by hubbub in
the outer office. Suddenly the door
was burst open violently by young Jim
Winthrow. the Banners political re-
porter. He rushed breathlessly into
the room. f1ourishing a copy of the
Belmont News. Following him came
Williams with look of amazement on
his face as he read the headlines OF
the copy OF the paper he had.
| Judge Gilbert! Judge Gilbert!"
gasped the reporter. with eyes for no
one else Have you seen the News?
Big story bout the belt line railway
and the lection! Gimme the facts SO
1 can show the News up"
Let me see your paper"
Here it is-with big headlines"
Wright knew better than anyone
else in the room what was in the pa
per. What was written there was not
for Gloria's eyes to see. nor for her
ears to hear.
You must go. Gloria. Don't stay for
this: I'll drive you to Locust Lawn"
He was almost out OF the room with
her when something the reporter said
caused her to stop.
THE News says David Kerr is back
OF IT," exclaimed Winthrow. holding
up the paper for Judge Gilbert to see.
land that it's the biggest steal in the
history of Belmont"
Whats that?" Kerr demanded.
coming forward.
'I didn't see you. Mr.. Kerr" the re-
porter npologized. but here 1t is on
the front page"
Come. Gloria" Wright pleaded with
her.
II can't go yet"
Beside her stood Williams, still en-
gagged in reading the haring headlines
of 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 !ie!" shouted GIL
bert, crushing in his hands the paper
he had been scanning. DIR. Hayes.
will you please escort Miss Gloria and
! AlTS. f1ayeS W tItlT CaTEIibc!
"Stop!" commanded Gloria. The
hum OF Indignation sweeping over the
room was stilled. All turned to the
daughter OF David Kerr. rs this
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 SIRE
ly be sold to the merciless stock.ynrds
terminal trust. The deal. which
means millions for the unscrupulous
promoters and nothing for Belmont,
has been engineered by that king OF
underhhnd 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
thing unclean.
"Is this true?" she demanded impe-
riously.
Not word of It," Judge Gilbert
was quick to apswer.
Not YOU She turned to David
Kerr. Father. is 1t true?"
The boss of Belmont looked like
some wounded wild animal brought to
bay. He gazed with speechless rage
at Joe Wright, and then looked at his
daughter She stood with arm out
stretched to him. mute but eloquent
appeal for denial. The big man
shook himself as II 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. It amt true"
The sigh she gave as her arm
dropped to her side seemed to be a