Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04


lie their meaning.
"Oh, David, Davidr' he cried.
A thousand voices, the confused
murmur of a mighty throng, seemed
ringing in Tolnettes brain, and she
fought against a sickenlng giddlnes
that made the walls whlrl around her
"That is enough, Mr.. BlackfordT
she asked weakly; and on totterlnL
knees she turned and left the two
men alone.
"Surely you can explain this, Davyi
cried Ike; his faith In his friend clunl
to him In stubborn defiance Of the doc
uments' mute accusation.
do you think it necessary to ex
plain?" said David harshly. The angel
which he had withheld from TOlnett,
had mounted slowly until now his iroi
will had reached white heat Of furl
Gus resentment. "By God, l explain
| to no manw
Ike looked him straight in the eyes
mo man on earth can use that tom
to me-" he said quietly, "-excep
you, David, old man."
He laid his hand gently on hi
friends shoulder and the angry ligh,
in David's eyes was suddenly Quenched
at isn't true" he said, and was 81
lent once again.
| That's the only explanation vol
and need, David" Ike answered Will
a grave smile; and David crushed hi
hand in q mighty grip.
IKE, you understand You believe
in mew he cried in q voice thai
showed how cruel the strain upon hi
nervous pride had been; and the TIVE
young men smiled straight into eacl
others eyes.
David had meant to keep his ow
counsel, but now the burden Of hi
heart flooded over at Ike's trust II
him. He told Of what he had Learned
concerning Cranmer; told how he hat
come into possession of the secre
agents maps and documents. II hat
already sent word to Vincennes b
search for Cranmer," he said, land
meant to take these papers there a.
the first opportunity. How Toinetts
guessed that l had them, cannot un
derstand. But, by heaven, Blackford
can't explain to herl Don't you un'
derstand? wanted her love.
thought she had given it to me. Blu
If she doubts me, then"
His voice faltered again.
"She has worried herself over somt
rumor-poor Toinette, she's strung tc
the breaking-point," said Ike gently
II want you to do something for me
Ike" replied David, unheedlng the ex
cuse. II cannot stay in Corydon after
this. cannot be indebted to Mr.
O'Bannon any longer. 1 must CO."
you know best, Davy. It's not my
business. But where?"
"Vincennes, suppose. 1 may as
we'll stay on there, after have de-
livered this evidence to General Glib,
son. 1t doesn't make any difference
But 1 want you to see Mr.. O'Bannor
and turn my accounts over to him
VIII you do this for me, Ike"
Willingly, Davy. But, oh, I'll hate
to give you upP
you're the best friend I ever had
So shall have to lose you, as have
lost everyone 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 herI &c
back, you sore-headed old bear, and
But David checked him.
81 shall never enter that house. AnG
/ forbid your speaking to her on this
subject. Do not speak of her again.
His tone was unyielding, final; anC
grieving in silent sympathy for hi:
friends shattered hopes, Ike helped
him close up the meager affairs of the
little store and babe him good by. .
To Ike remained no question of Da
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 owl
chamber, closed the door, and sanl
upon her bed in a paroxysm of grief
She had saved the frontier from thu
traitor, she thought; but she ha(
broken her own heart.
= .
David's back was toward CorydoI
, and all his hopes. His face was TOWARD
the north. The trace through the for
est stretched away toward Vincenne'
and he marched along resolutely
There he handed over to the terrific
rial officers the plans that he haC
taken from Cranmer; had from then
their blunt thanks, and found employ
ment in the ancient trading house O
the Spaniard, Vigo.