The L'Anse sentinel., 1915-12-18

tuer buyS Nc munt nave gone 9uooeuiy
mad to make such a speech; that he's
antagonixed all the solid business men
in New York by the wild statements he
made. think-I'm afraid he isn't
quite a. pleased n he was q. the idea
OF our-of our engagement
~Its got nothing to do with usl'' de-
clared Bruce angriIy. I'm not re-
sponsible for my fathers actions. /
think myself he's wrong about this:
that he's been excited by things that
have happened. But l can't let your
father criticise him to me-
"Of course not. she said soothingiy.
'And he won't. I'm sure. And. any
how. Bruce. dear. we're not going to
quarrel, you and I, even II It turns out
that our fnthers do"
Bruce was about to reply when be
looked over Dorothy's shoulder and
saw two men In the next room. One
was her father. Roger Maxwell; the
other was Stanford Stone And Stone.
who did not know that Bruce could
see him, was regarding them with
such q malevolent expression In his
usually inscrutable eyes that Bruce
was startled. Stone at this time was
reckoned the most powerful man in
the great financial world Of New York.
He was concerned in q hundred great
enterprises. Even the Sunday news
papers did not pretend to estimate the
size Of his vast fortune.
But while Bruce, wondering. was on
the very point Of saying something to
Dorothy. Stone broke into a smile. He
took Roger Maxwell's arm, and the
two older men came into the library.
Both greeted Bruce In the most friend
ly fashion. while Stone shook Dorothy's
hand, his eyes devouring her.
II hear I'm to congratulate you,
young man." said Stone, and Dorothy
blushed becomfngly. by the way.
your fathers given his friends-and I
want you to remember that I'm one Of
the best Of them-a good deal of anx-
iety lately. Can't you persuade him to
take a rest7 He ought to 60 some
where and play golf for week or
two-gct entirely rid Of the strain and
worry Of his Office"
II suggested something Of that sort
to him today, sir" said Bruce. "But
It's always been very hard for my
mother and myself to persuade him to
spare himself in any way. He works
as hard as II he hadn't cent in the
world, and, as matter Of fact, he's a
fairly rich man."
'That's always the way-always the
way" said Stone. "Well, do the best
you can to persuade him, my boy. He
needs the rest"
II think 80. too" said Maxwell.
Dorothy. suppose you take Bruce
somewhere else. Stone and l have
some business to talk over. pnd we'll
need the papers I have in my desk
here in our talk"
Bruce and Dorothy were not at all
loath to CO. They smiled ut one an-
other as they went. and neither turned
to see the look that Stanford Stone
sent after them, look that might well
have aroused Bruce's fear and wonder
hnd he seen 1t, knowing what he did
Of Stones power.
Meanwhile District Attorney Larni-
gan had stayed Mt his Office long
enough to finish some important work
and then had taken his place in his au-
tomobile.
"Drive me around the long way
home, Jack" he said to his chauffeur.
'aThe afr is so beautiful today that
think It will rest me just to ride
around. Go up into the country along
the river and don't turn back until its
time to get me home for dinner"
"Yes, sir" said the chauffeur.
Bruce got home long before his In
Tiers return. In spite Of his feeling
concerning his fathers fears, Bruce
was worried. As for his mother. she
had always opposed her husbands en-
try into public life, and she was wor-
ried every time he was few minutes
late In getting home. Bruce tried to
calm her increasing nervousness, but
he himself was worried. and az II
grew dark he stood In tho hall. look
Ing for the rays from the headlights
Of the car that would herald his "a
theirs coming. At last he saw them,
far down the drive that led to the
house. His heart leaped happily. and
he went back to call his mother.
Here he comes, mother. It's all
right, o. COURSE he cried "You were
silly to be worried"
She was in thu conservatory at the
back Of the house. cutting flowers for
the dinner table. and he hnd to 60 well
awny from the front door to lind her.
Then he. slipped an arm around her
waist, and they walked through the
great hall together. They heard the
car stop outside and heard Dudley
I.arnigan's voice giving some order.
The car started again. and then out
side there was q munied cry. Mrs.
I.arnigan screamed. Bruce leaped for
ward. The door burst open. and his
father staggered In. clutching convul-
sively at his side. and fell. Bruce took
one look. He saw the blood that
stained the door. and then, az his
mother. transformed by the need Of
action and gaining control Of herself.
A. A. - -