The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-14
CHAPTER XIV.

Merkle found his chauffeur Just clos
ing the garage door, and three minutes
later his car was sweeping westward
the park like the shadow OF
some flying bird. The vagueness, the
brevity OF the message that had come
to him out OF the night made II terribly
alarming. Jarvis Hammon's financial
interests were in no condition to with
stand shock; for long time many
of them had been under fire. He had
committed his associates to a program
OF commercial expansion, never too Sc
cure even under favorable conditions,
and one, moreover, which had pro-
voked a tremendous assault from rival
steel manufacturers. Now, with Ham
mon himself stricken at the crisis OF
the struggle, there was no telling what
results might follow.
But Merkle's apprehensions were by
no means purely selfish. Harmon and
he had been friends for many years;
they shared mutual respect and af-
fection, and, although Merkle was emil
nently practical and Unconditional, he
prayed now as best he could that
Harmon might not be grievously In
jured.
As the machine drew up to the Ele-
gancla, Jimmy knight leaped to the
running board and said hurriedly:
"Send your driver away"
Merkle did as he was directed, realiz.
ing his worst fears. When he and Jim
stood alone on the walk he inquired
weakly, "Is he-deadT
Jim shook his head, and Merkle saw
that he was deeply agltated. "No
But he's got a bullet in his chest"
Together the men entered the build
ing and at the first ring were admitted
to Apartment No. by Loreiel herself
She led them straight into the library
| Perhaps quarter OF an hour hat
elapsed since the shooting, but Jarvis
Harmon still sat in the big chair HI
was brea thing quietly. Bob Wharton
stood beside him.
"Johnw The ironmaster smiled pal
Idly as his friend came and knelt be
side him. "You got here quickly"
"Are you badly hurt, Jarvis?"
''The thing Is In here somewhere.
Harmon took his hand away from lii
breast and Merkle saw that the finger
w~-s bloody. Can you get me out o
here quietly?
John Merkle rose TO his full height
his lips wrlthed back from his teeth
Harshly he inquired: where is tina
woman"
"She's back yonder in her room,
Bob told him. "Shes H."
Merkle turned, but reading his in
tent, Harmon checked him. crying II
strong voice: "None OF that, John.
did II myself. 1t was an--accldent."
II don't believe It."
Hammon's eyes met those of his &C
cuser; the two stared at each othe
steadily for moment.
The other occupants OF the room ha
listened breathlessly; now Lorele
stirred and Merkle read more tina
mere bewilderment In her face. II
opened his lips, but the wounded ma
did not walt for him to speak.
"You must believe mer' he said, eal
nestly. "Its the truth, and l won
have Lilas involyed-we've been
great deal to each other. Tonight
accused her wrongfully. 1t was all m
fault-Tm TO blame for everything.
There was a pause. "Now get me OF
of here as quietly and quickly as yo
can. I'm really not hurt much. Com,
come! There's nobody home exceI
orson and some OF the kitchen heh
and Orson is all right-the women al
gone, you know. He'll get a docto
It's a-bad business, of course, but I'y
thought It all out, and you must do e,
actly as I say"
The effort of this long speech told O
. the sufferer.
Sweat beaded his face; nevertheless
! his jaws remained firmly set; h
} glance was purposeful, his big hant
were gripped tightly over the arms I
! the chsif. TherS was something 81