Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1916-06-08

i"'hci n icuF, Dut IL WIS equally I'm
possible for him to believe that a man
like Dudley Larnigan would give way
to panic without the very gravest rea.
sons
You needn't wait. Bruce" said his
father finally. II have a good deal OF
work to do, and shan't need you"
Bruce got up and moved hesitatlngly
toward the door. Just then the telc.
phone on his fathers dc,k rang out
sharply. Dudley Larnigan before lie I'm
swered pointed to another Instrument
and Bruce. understanding, lifted its re-
reiver to listen to the conversation.
A strange voice, evidently disguised
came thinly to his ear:
Hello, Hello! Is this District AT
torney T.nrnigan?"
YES"
"Larnigan, you know who Is speak
inc. If you are Ia doubt look at tn,
skull we sent YOU
II am looking ut it,
"Be warned iu time. That skull Is
the symbol OF the uncertainty of life.
We admire you've admire any strong
and brave enemy. But do not mistake
foOlhardiness for bravery. You can
never beat US. and you will sacrifice
yourself II you try. We do not OFFER
you money. Leave us alone--or you
will suffer"
/ Il shall do my duty. You have had
before the only answer | shall ever
give you. l am sworn to uphold and
he Ia 7 ,I,uI Il .haf
ever risk to myself"
"H"meinber, this Is the last chance
You will have to save yourself We
bear you no I'll will: we do not want
to he obliged to move against you. but
IL you do not yield your blood be on
your own head"
II shall enforce the law. Sooner or
later You will pay the penalty for all
your crimes"
And on the word Dudley Larnigan,
his forehead beaded with heavy drops
Of Precipitation. slammed the receiver
into the hook. He rose and stared at
Bruce
Now do you believer" he sail
You heard what said. think |
have one chance in million to cs.
cape them. | ain marked man. II Is
impossible for me to guard myself er.
fc"tively. Yet shall go on
You said you were afraid" said
Bruce.
And so | am live III deadly fear
But, 10 matter how much | fear them,
| fear my own conscience more They
can never punish me. no matter what
they do. as would my own conscience
II betrayed my trust"
For the moment Bruce managed to
shake of the depression that his ia.
Tiers mood and all the other circum.
stances had induced.
They're trying to fright:c n you"
lie said. Good Lord. this is the TWEEN.
tieth century. They're trying TO
Brighten You with Oil tricks. THEY'D
never dare actually t. use violence"
We shall see" said Ills father. ar
least l shall do my duty. no matter
what the outcome may be, as long rs
am spared And ! have faith enough
III you, my son. to believe that II the
men VII" are opposed to me give the
last proof OF the truth OF my words
You Will take up that duty and make
1t your own"
Bruce shook his head sadly as he
Went out. 1t seemed To him that he
hau hit upon the truth that his father
was breaking down from uverwork md
that he was taking seriously melo
dramatic and absurd campnign OF
blackmail
NO doubt attempts are being mnde
to diSsundc him from doing his duty"
said Bruce to himself but he is al.
lowing himself To be upset by threats
that would only have amused him a
rev years ago. Poor old dadr'
Bruce himself had II pleasant cr.
rand. His steps took him to the home
of Roger Maxwell, whose vast inter.
eSts III the field of insurance had
caused him TO Ice known commonly as
the head Of what was called the In
surancc trust. But IL was not the
great tnanCler that Bruce went to see
u" seemed to he well known at the
house. The servant who answered his
ring smiled as she took his hat and
stick
Miss Dorothy's In the library, sir" .
she said. she Is expecting you. sir.
I'm sure"
Dorothy Maxwell M Bruce entered
I'll" room WAS standing near n win
dow. As she hear,l his step she turn
ed. with Il glad lite cry. ana came
straight 10 hin
Bruce" Slic said ''i'nr ~ '''rl. Yuu
weren't sure that ,pu 49, -" -" .
He tool; - IT, Il .'rir- ri Ei> .cd
her.
81 USIsi." .nu ,t o., -.