The Ordway new era., 1917-04-06
A single glance made Blackford real

/ A single glance made Blackford reai-
| lze their meaning.
"Oh, David, Davldl" he cried.
A thousand voices, the cohluseu
| murmur of mighty throng. seemed
ringing in ToInette's brain, and she
fought against siCkenlng giddiness
| that made the walls whirl around ner.
THAT is enough, Mr.. Blacktort'
she asked weakly; and on totter'hg
| knees she turned and left the two
| men alone. -,
"Surely you can explain this, DaVy J!
cried Ike; his faith in his friend clnng
| to him in stubborn defiance OF the DOC
| uments' mute accusation.
"Do you think 1t 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 white heat Of furl-
Gus resentment. by God, | explain
to no man!'
Ike looked him straight in the eyes.
mo 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 Davlds eyes was suddenly quenChed.
"It isn't true" he said, and was ST.
lent once again.
That's the only explanation you
and | need, David" Ike answered with
grave smile; and David crushed his
hand in mighty grip.
IKE, you understand You believe
in met he cried in n 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 now the burden of his
heart flooded over at 1kc'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. 81 had
already sent word to VinCcnnes to
search for Cranmer," he said, 'and |
meant to take these papers there at
the first opportunity. How Toinette
guessed that l had them, cannot un-
derstand. But, by heaven, Blackford,
l can't explain to her! Don't you un-
derstand? | wanted her love.
thought she had given 1t to me. But
If she doubts me, then"
His voice faltered again.
"Shc has worried herself over some
rumor-pOor TOinctte, she's strung to
the breaking-point," said Ike gently.
Il want you to do something for me,
10 a
cusc. 81 cannot stay in Corydon after
this. l cannot be Indebted to Mr..
O'Bannon any longer. | must GO"
you know best, Davy. It's not MY
business. But where?"
"Nincenncs, l suppose. l may MS
well stay on there, after l have de
livcred this evidence to General Glib
son. 1t doesn't make any difference.
But | want you to see Mr.. OBannon
and turn my accounts over to him,
VIII you do this for me, Ike?"
Willingly, Davy. But, oh, I'll hate
to give you up!"
You're the best friend | ever had
So I shall have to lose you, as l have
lost everyone l ever loved" David
smiled bitterly.
"Davy, don't go! You'll win yet,
She can't hold to this silly mistake.
Why, I'll explain things to her! Go
back, YOU sore-headed old bear, and"
But David checked him.
81 shall never enter that house. And
l forbid your speaking to her on this
subject. Do not speak OF her again"
His tone was unyielding final; and
gricvinS in silent sympathy for his
friends shattered hopes, Ike helped
MIN close up the meager affairs of the
little store and bade him good by.
To Ike remained no question of d..
vid's honor; but the poison OF EllIott,s
words had found an abiding hold In
the girIs heart. Toinette had reached
her fathers house she knew not how
She gained the harbor of her own
chamber closed the door, and sank
upon her bed in paroxysm of grief
She had saved the frontier from the
traitor she thought; but she had
broken her own heart.
Davids back was toward Corydon
ana all his hopes. His face was toward
the north. The trace through the for.
est stretched away toward Vincennas
and he marched along resolutelv
There he handed over to the terrific.
maj officers the plans that he had
taken from Cranmer; had from them
their blunt thanks. and found emplor.
inent In the ancient trading house Of
the Spaniard, Vigo.