Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-11-09

Blackford started. then laughed in
eredulously.
"Tolnette, you're jokingl"
But she buried her face in her hand:
and spoke through sobs that SHOOK
her from head TO foot.
"0h, If it were not truel
Ask him. :"
BlackfOrd turned to David. His
friend had taken a step backward al
Tolnette's first rush of reproach and
now leaned against the low counter,
trembling, pale as one who has re
ceived a mortal wound. The shock
of her accusation coming on the heels
of the very> moment when he had
"isked his life to confront Cranmer,
stunned him.
Only his high, indignant pride rose
against the sorry riddle-a stubborn
pride which babe him listen to her
wild charge in silence, holding himself
in his angry conceit above the violence
of contradicting her, above STOPPING
to drag their love in the dust of quar-
rel. Blackford, striving to pierce be-
meath the mask of that white, tense
face and the inscrutable eyes, cried
out in alarm at David's silent accept
ance of her words.
Its not true, is it, David? My
God, it can't be true"
David was silent.
Blackford tried to laugh off his own
alarm:
"YOu two are playing some silly joke
on me, of course All right-In own
you gulled me. Satisfied, Toinette?''
Toinette threw back her head proud
ly. The blue eyes that had so often
danced with merrlment were blazing
sapphires.
Search him, Mr.. Blackford," her
voice rang out. Il do not doubt but
you will find evidence enough to sat
isfy you"
lke's eyes looked into those of his
friend with a passion of pleading for
denial. But David's voice answered
evenly, coldly:
There is no need to search. l pre-
sumo that these papers are the ones
which Miss O'Bannon wishes"
And with steady fingers he unfas-
tened his coat and waistcoat, and,
while Blackford gazed in horror, slow
ly drew out the packet of papers he
had wrested from Cranmer. He put
them in Ike's hands and bowed to Toi-
nette with q touch of ironic courtesy.
you will find them all there" he
said.
A single glance made Blackford real
ize their meaning.
"Oh, David, David" he cried.
A thousand voices, the confused
murmur of a mighty throng, seemed
ringing in Toinette's brain, and she
fought against a sickening giddiness
that made the walls whirl around her.
THAT is enough, Mr.. Blackboard
she asked weakly; and on lettering
knees she turned and left the two
men alone.
Surely you a explain this, Davy! -
cried Ike; his faith in his friend chung
to him in stubborn defiance of the doc
uments' mute accusation.
'"Do you think it necessary to ex-
plain?" said David harshly. The anger
which he had withheld from Toinette
had mounted slowly until now his iron
will had reached a white heat of furi-
Gus resentment. "By God, l explain
to nc mani"
Ike looked him straight in the eyes.
No man on earth can use that tone
to me-" he said quietly, Except
you, David, old man."
He laid his hand gently on his
friends shoulder and the angry light
in David's eyes was suddenly quenched.
SIT isn't true" he said, and was 81
lent once again.
"That's the only explanation you
and T need. David" Ike answered with
a grave smile; and David crushed his
hand in a mighty grip.
ike, you understand! You believe
in mel" he cried in a voice that
showed how cruel the strain upon his
nervous pride had been; and the two
young men smiled straight into each
others eyes.
David had meant to keep his own
counsel, but o the burden of his
heart flooded over at Ike's trust in
him. He told of what he had learned
concerning Cranmer; told how he had
come into possession of the secret
agents maps and documents. II had
already sent word to Vincennes to