Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-14

T Under the blaze of Gordon's hyp-
motto look, Farwells nerves went
- wholly to pieces.
IL" he sputtered.
Tell the TRUTH" demanded Gordon.
"or I'll drag you by main force out of
this club and throw you to the mob
of men outside there! The men you've
robbed, and who will kill you If
they"
Il contest" croaked Farwell. in
stark terror. +"
You confess-what?" insisted Gordon,
again shaking his foe back and forth
as a puppy might shake rag.
"-I-confess 1 framed you," bah
bled the terrified Farwell. "I-I-the
charge l made against you was-was
false. I-oh, for Gods sake, Gordon!
he howled in abject terror, don't let
those devils out there get hold of me.
They'll"
"One thing more broke in Gordon,
curtly; his face alight at his victory
and at the complete mastery which. for
the moment, he was exerting over the
Ipanic-stricken man. zone thing more;
VIII you retract your robbery charge
against Miss Travis, and vindicate her?
Will you
Hold on. there broke in Chief
Aliens peremptory voice. You're go
ing a step too far, Mr.. Gordon. 1
didn't butt in. while you made him
clear your own name. And I'm mighty
glad you were able TO. But l can't have
you interfering with the Red Circle case.
That's a matter for the police. Let 1t
alone! And let Mr.. Farwell go"
At sound of the chiefs voice, Far
wells vanished courage returned to him
with a rush.
Gam 1 going to withdraw the charge
against the Travis girl?" he sneered.
"Of course I'm not. I'm going to prose-
cute her to the bitter end. The thief"
Chief Allen interposed his muscular
bulk between the two men, just in time
to prevent Gordon from flying at his
enemys throat.
Next morning, as soon as he could
find out where she was living, Gordon
went to June's apartment and ohereu
his services as her counsel in the ap-
preaching trial Gratefully, June ac-
cepted the offer; being familiar with
the reports of his legal skill
He cut short her thanks by saying;
And now. if you don't mind. Miss
Travis. we'll go over the case to-
gether: step by step. If Farwell is
the only complainant against you, I've
a notion l can shut him up by threats
Of a perjury charge. You know he
swore falsely against me. If there are
no other complaints, you are as good as
freed"
But there were other compliments
Plenty of them, as Max Lamar and
Chief Allen were at that very moment
finding out.
Max had dropped into the chiefs pri-
vate office for a chat with his old
friend; and to try to enlist his aid in
June's behalf. But he found Allen as
firm as a rock. in the matter of bring
ing the Red Circle criminal to justice
I'D like to see it your way, Max,
said the chief. But L can't. I'm an
officer of the law. The law has been
violated And it's up to me to do all
I can do punish the violator. I'm sor-
ry. You've got eloQuence enough to
move anyone but a veteran thief-taker
But 4"
mo. 1 haven't" denied Lamar, mis-
erably 81 can't even sway the feel
ings of one cranky fool of a woman
What woman?" asked the chief, Gu
riously.
Mrs. Travis" growled Lamar. she
came to my office this morning. She
remembered L was present when Ted
Borden was asphyxiated by old Circle
jim She knew I'd had some expe-
rience with the boy, before that. He
was her son, you know. Though OF
course she never guessed it and never
even heard of him until Miss Travis
was accused"
"Well, WHAT
"She came to ask me some. ques-
tions about him. After the way Mrs
Travis had behaved to June, / was in
no mood to handle her with gloves
So I told her. frankly, just what a
rotten sort of a cub the boy was. She
didn't like it, very much"
I'm not surprised"
Then 1 tried to soften her heart
toward June 1 used all the eloquence
and all the arguments L could muster
1t was no use"
Max said the chief, suddenly,
You're in love with June Travis!'
Yes" was Lamar's defiant answer.