The Benson signal., 1917-03-03
A single glance made Blackford real

/
lie 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 sickening giddiness
that made the walls whirl around her.
"That is enough, Mr.. Blackboard"
she asked weakly; and on tOttering
knees she turned and left the two
men alone.
| "Surely you can explain this, Davy!"
cried Ike; his faith in his friend clung
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, I explain
to no manr'
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 David's eyes was suddenly quenched.
''It isn't true," he said, and was 81.
lent once again.
| "Thats 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 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 now 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. 81 had
already sent word to Vincennes to
search for Cranmer," he said, "and l
meant to take these papers there at
the first opportunity. How Toinette
guessed that had them, cannot un-
derstand. But, by heaven, Blackford,
I can't explain to her! Don't you un-
derstand? wanted her love.
thought she had given it to me. But
if she doubts me- then"
His voice faltered again.
"She has worried herself over some
rumor-poor Toinette, she's strung to
the breaking-point," said Ike gently.
II want you to do something for me,
Ike" replied David, unheeding the ex-
cuse. Il cannot stay in Corydon after
this. I cannot be indebted to Mr..
O'Bannon any longer. must CO."
"You know best, Davy. It's not MY
business. But where?"
"Vincennes, suppose. may as
well stay on there, after I have de-
| livered this evidence to General Glib
son. It doesn't make any difference
But want you to see Mr.. O'Bannon
and turn my accounts over to him.
Will you do this for me, Ike?'
"Willingly, Davy. But, oh, I'll hate
to give you up!'
you're the best friend 1 ever had.
So I shall have to lose you, as have
lost everyone I ever loved" David
smiled bitterly.
"Davy, don't got You'll win yet I!
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.
"I shall never enter that house. And
I forbid your speaking to her on this
subject Do not speak Of her again."
His tone was unyielding. final; and
grieving in silent sympathy for his
friends shattered hopes, Ike helped
him close up the meager affairs Of thu
little store and bade him good by.
To Ike remained no question of De-
vid's honor but the poison of Elliott's
words had found an abiding hold in
the girls 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 a paroxysm of grief.
She had saved the frontier from the
traitor, she thought; but she had
| broken her own heart.
4 4
David's back was toward Corydon
and all his hopes. His face was toward
| the north. The trace through the for
est stretched away toward Vincennes
and he marched along resolutely.
There he handed over to the terrific
rial officers the plans that he had
| taken from Cranmer; had from them
their blunt thanks, and found employ
ment in the ancient trading house Of
the Spaniard, Vigo.
>s<~~~~~~~~%~~~~~~~ NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
How soon do you think David I