Tombstone epitaph., 1917-04-15

A single glance made Blackford real ize their meaning.
 "Oh. David. Davidl" he cried.
 A thousand voices, the confused murmur of mighty throng. seemed ringing in Toinette's brain. and she fought against sickening giddiDess that made the walls whirl around her.
 "That is enough, Mir. BlackfordY" she asked weakly; and on tottering knees she turned and left the two men alone.
 "Surely you can explain this, DavyI" cried Ike; his faith in his friend clung 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 a white heat of furi- ous resentment. By God, I explain to no manr
 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 Tt isn't true" he said, and was si. lent once again.
 That's the only explanation you and need, David" Ike answered with a grave smile; and David crushed his hand in a mighty grip.
 like. 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 ip him. He told of ~hat he had learned concerning Cranmer; told how he-had | come into possession of the secret | agents maps and documents. T had already sent word to yincennes to search for Cranmer," he said, and meant to take these papers there at the first opportunity. How Toinette guessed that I had them. cannot un- derstand. But, by heaven, Blackford, I can't explain to her! Don't you un- derstand? I wanted her love. thought she had given 1t 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. T want you to do something for me. Ike" replied David, unheeding the ex- cuse. q cannot stay in COrydon after this. I cannot be indebted to Mir. O'Bannon any longer. I must go"
 You know best, Davy. It's not nIy business. But wheref"
 "Vincennes, I suppose. I may as well stay on there, after I have de- | livered this evidence to General Gib- son. IL doesn't make any difference. But want you to see Mir. O'Bannon and turn my accounts over to him. Will you do this for me. Ikef'
 "Willingly. Davy. But, oh, I'll hate to give you up"
 You're the best friend ever had. So shall have to lose you, as have lost everyone I ever loved" David smiled bitterly.
 "Davy, don't gO' You'll win yet ! She cant hold to this silly mistake. Why, I'll explain things to herI Go back, you sore-headed old bear, and"
 But David checked hlm. 1 "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 unyieldins. final; and grieving in silent sympathy for his friends shattered hopes, Ike helped him close up the meager affairs of the little store and bade him good by.
 To Ike remained no question of Ds. 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. traitor. she thought; but she had broken her own heart
 
 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 yincennes and he marched along resolutely. There he handed over to the territo- 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.