Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1916-08-24

ously. She knew in her own mind
that the milk trust was one of the
branches OF that sinister organization
known as The Fifteen. OF which her
father. as head Of the insurance trust,
at one time had been Il member. How
could she Use this fact 10 the advan-
tage Of Harding? She debated the
question antiously. Finally she called
for her car, determined to drive TO the
Office Of the independent, the newspaper
which Bruce Larnigan controlled IN the
interests Of his battles for the people.
Almost the first person she met In
the editorial office was Robert Hard.
ing. who hurried toward her eagerly.
Il think have found way to help
you" she said Impulsively. 81 have
remembered that father has ut home II
book with the names II the members
, Of The Fifteen and their secret by.
words. minutes. and so on. That book
ought TO let us know who the mys.
teri"us head Of the milk trust Is. We
can then force him to come out into
the open"
Good" echoed Harding. with en-
thusiasm. when you have the book
let me know"
II WILL" the girl promised. and then
she caught her breath sharply. Just
behind them stood Stanford Stone
with slight smile on his lips.
She felt that Stone was watching
her intently as she passed out OF the
office. and she quickened her pace.
But her mind was made up.
I'm find the book" the girl decided.
"and then take father TO our home in
the mountains. Mr.. Harding can
come there for It,"
This decision made. she lost no time
in carrying It out Her search for the
Journal of the Fifteen was short one.
rs she knew the book was In her IA
theirs private desk in the library and
had not been removed since his seizure
With the little red covered book in
her possession she rushed preparations
for their departure to the mountains
so hurrledly that by o'clock that
evening she and her father were on
their way and n note had been sent to
Harding telling him where he could
reach them.
Ii was at 10 o'clock the next morn
Ing that Dorothy. reading to her ia.
Their in the CHEEKY living room OF their
little country home, glanced up to see
the figure of Stanford Stone entering
the rustic gate of the grounds. She
stopped abruptly. The precious book
was in the bosom OF her dress, but she
knew That Stone would stop at moth
ing. not even physical violence to her.
to gain possession OF 1t. Her glance
Travelled swiftly about the room. On
a table lay her fathers silk hat. With
a quick movement Dorothy caught up
the hat and slipped the book into the
lining Just as Stanford Stone was an,
nOunced.
Dorothy spoke a few words OF care
less greeting 10 him and left him alone
with her father. Hardly had the door
closed behind her when Stone bound.
ed from his chair and sprang to the
side OF Mr. Maxwell. There was muir
der in his eyes.
Curse you" Ire growIed. Where is
that book"
Terror sprang into the eyes Of the
helpless old man, and then came for.
tunate interruption. Voices sounded
from outside, and Dorothy and Robert
Harding appeared. Stone quickly
changed his attitude and was gently
stroking Maxwel's hair when the cou-
Pile entered the room.
Il am going to take your father into
the grounds for little air. Miss Doro-
thy" he said. Catching up Maxwells
hat, to the girls dismay, he caught the
handle OF the wheel chair and pushed
II ahead Of him.
Stone escorted Maxwell to the edge
OF the grounds without uttering
word, his mouth set in hard, grim
line. A gang Of lnborers had been at
work on "A rustic bridge spanning high
gully, at the bottom Of which gushed
an angry little torrent Stone pushed
Maxwell's chair out on to the edge of
the bridge and glanced about him
swiftly, debating az to the best meth.
Cd to force speech from the closed lips.
A man in overalls was occupied In re-
moving some Of the old planks from
the center Of the. bridge preparatory
to substituting new and stronger ones.
As Stone watched him the man put on
his hat and started off whistliuy. evil
IDENTIFY for nails or tools To complete
his task. leaving a gaping hole perhaps