Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-10-26
CHAPTER XIV.


ing the garage door, and three minutes
later his car was sweeping westward
through the park like the shadow of
some flying bird. The yagueness, the
brevity of the message that had come
to him out of the night made it terribly
alarming. Jarvis Hammon's financial
interests were in no condition to with
stand a shock; for long time many
of them had been under fire. He had
committed his associates to program
of commercial expansion, never too Sc
cure even under favorable conditions.
voked 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-
lection, and, although Merkle was emil
nently practical AMI Unconditional, he
prayed now as best he could that
Harmon might not be grievously in
jured
AS the machine drew up to the Ele-
gancia, 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, as he-dead?"
Jim shook his head, and Merkle saw
that he was deeply agitated. mo.
But he's got bullet in his chest"
Together the men entered the build
ing and at the first ring were admitted
to Apartment No. / by Lorelei herself.
She led them straight into the library.
Perhaps quarter Of an hour had
elapsed since the shooting, but Jarvis
Harmon still sat in the big chair. He
was brea thing quietly. Bob Wharton
stood beside hinE
"Johnw The ironmaster smiled pal
Idly as his friend came and knelt be-
side him. "You got here quickly"
Are you badly hurt, Jarvis?'
1.-THE thing is in here somewhere"
Harmon took his hand away from his
breast, and Merkle saw that the fingers
were bloody. "Can you get me out of
here quietly?"
John Merlle rose to his full height,
his lips writhed back from his teeth
Harshly he inquired: where is that
woman?"
"She's back yonder in her ROOM"
Bob told him. "She's ill.,
Merkle turned, but, reading his in
tent, Harmon checked him. crying in
a strong voice: None of that, John. /
did it myself. 1t was an-accident."
II don't believe it,"
Hammon's eyes met those of his ac-
cuser; the two stared at each other
steadily for moment.
Tie other occupants of the room had
listened breathlessly; now Lorelel
stirred and Merkle read more than
mere bewilderment in her face. He
opened his lips, but the wounded man
did not wait for him to speak.
"You must believe mel" he said, ear
nestly. 'It's the truth, and 1 won't
have Lilas involved-we've been a
great deal to each other. Tonight
accused her wrongfully. 1t was all my
fault-I'm to blame for everything"
There was pause. "Now get me out
Of here as quietly and quickly as you
can. I'm really not hurt much. Come,
come! There's nobody home except
Orson and some Of the kitchen help.
and Orson is all right-the women are
gone, you know. He'll get a doctor.
It's a-bad business, OF course, but I've
thought it all out, and you must do ex-
actly as | say"
The effort of this long speech told on
the sufferer.
Sweat beaded his face; nevertheless,
his jaws remained firmly set; his
glance was purposeful, his big hands
were gripped tightly over the arms of
the chah. Thsze was something su-