The Pensacola journal., 1917-08-03
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspaper
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4 n
Motor Trust? The other d1rec-
tors. you know. arc trying to force
me out"
Rodman Brainard, president of the big
Motor Corporation, searched the mag
netic depths of the big brown eyes OF the
woman beside his desk. Talking TO Con-
stance Dunlap was not like talking to
other women he had known, either So
cially or in business.
"A friend Of yours, and Of mine, he
added frankly, has told me enough
about you to convince me that you are
more than All amateur at getting people
out of tight places l asked you to call
because ! think you can help me.
There was a directuess about Brain
ard which Constance liked.
It's very kind of you to place such
confidence tu NEON such short acquaint-
ance," she returned poiutedly, searching
his face.
Brainard laughed
II don't need to tell you. Mrs. Dunlap,
that anything have said so far is an
open secret in Wall street. They have
threatened to drag in the Sherman law,
and in the reorganization that will fol-
low the investigation, they plan to eIimi-
nate Rodman Brainard-perhaps set in
motion the criminal clauses of the law.
It's nothing. Mrs. Dunlap, but a down
the usual process. 1t is doing good that
evil may result"
He watched her face intently. Some
thing In her expression seemed to please
him. by George he thought to i'm
self. this is a mans woman. You can
talk TO her"
Brainard, accustomed to quick de-
cisions, added aloud, Just now they are
using Mrs. Brainard as a catspaw. They
are spreading that scandal about my &C
quaintance with Blanche Leblanc. the
actress. You have seen her? stun
ming woman-wonderful. But I long ago
saw that such a friendship could lead to
nothing but ruin" He met Constance
eye squarely. There was nothing of the
adventures in 1t as there had been
in Blanche Leblanc. And" he finished
almost biting off the words, Il decided
to cut it out"
How does Blanche Leblanc figure in
the Motor Trust trouble?" asked Con
stance keeniy.
They had been shadowing me a Ions
time before knew il, ferreting back into
my past Yesterday I learned that some
one had broken into Miss Leblanc's apart
ments and had stolen package OF letters
which 1 wrote to her. 1t cant hurt her
People expect that sort of thing OF ar
actress. But It can hurt the president
of the Motor Trust-just at present"
'Worthington. the treasurer. is th'
guiding spirit OF the insurgents as they
call themselves-it sounds popular. like
reform. 1 understand they have had {
detective named Drummond working fo
them"
Constance raised her eyes quickly a
the name. Was Drummond always t
cross her trail7
This story of the letters" he wen
on, puts on the finishing touch. The!
have me all right on that, L can tell b!
the way that Sybil-er. Mrs. Brainard-
acts, that she has read and reread thos,
letters. But, by God" he concluded
bringing down his fist on the desk. Z"
shall fight to the end, and when I d,
down."-he emphasized each word will
an additional blow-"the crash will brinl
down the whole damned structure ol
their own heads, too"
He was too earnest even to apologiz
TO her. Constance studied the grim de
termination in the mans face. He wa
not one of those destined to fail.
All is not lost that is in peril, MI
5ne of the maxims of your own Wa
street"
"what would you doo" ne asked.
was not an appeal; rather 1t was an inv
tation.
Il can't say yet. Let me come into tn
Office of the trust. Can't 1 be your PR
vate secretary"
Consider yourself engaged. Name you
figure-after 1t Is over. My record on tn
street speaks for how l stand by thos
who stand by me But I hate a gutter
80 do l." exclaimed Constance, rsin
and giving him her hand in a straight
arm shake that made Brainard straighte
himself and look down into her face wit
uncOncealed admiration.
ltA
private secretary to the president OF tn
Motor Trust.
You will be Miss Dunlap" remarke
Brainard. 1T sounds more plausible"
Quietly he arranged her duties so the
she would seem to be very busy withou
having anything which really interfere
with the purpose of her presence.
She had been thinking rapidly. Late
the forenoon she reached a decision.
little errand uptown kept her longer tha
she expected. but by the late afternoo
she was back again at her desk, o
which rested a small package which ha
been delivered by messenger for her.
Il beg you won't think as badly of m
as II seems on the surface, Miss Dur
her desk.
Il don't think badly of YOU" she ar
swered in a low voice. You are not tn
only man who has been caught with
crowd of crooks who plan to leave hil
holding the bag"
"Oh. 1t isn't that" he hastened;
mean this Blanche Leblanc affair. Nav
be frank with you?"
1t was not the first time Constance hs
been made a conhdante OF the troubl,
Of the. heart. and vet there was som,
thing fascinating about having a ma
like Brainard consider her worthy of b.
ing trusted with what meant so much
him.
I'm not altogether to blame" he wei