Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-23


mans face.
Did Ruth Mitchell send you here
10 tell me this"
You heard what had to say"
Did Ruth Mitchell send YOU here
with any such message" louder and
menacine,
We'll, she that IS, moi exactly,
she"
That's enough" with an impatient
gesture You've committed yourself
NOW. | want you 10 tell me a few
more things. since you've been so kind
as to start this business of giving in.
formation,
How am supposed 10 he related
10 Bart Sears
Well, you're doctorin' him, amt
you?'
lon what grounds do you base hat
supposition?"
Hardy fairly barked the words. and
leaned forward 50 quickly that Ken
nedy drew back face showing his
alarm.
They're sayin' 500 he eyaded
who is saying so? Who is this.
They"
Everybody
"Who was The first one TO tell this
story ."
Why. don't know Say. what
are YOU asking me questions ior?' he
snarled, summonine a lardy buster.
I've said what I'm going TO say: now
III go"
Not yet, YOU WON'T" Hardy said
between shut teeth, and stepped quick
ly in the mans path in the first
place. Kennedy, you. are The man who
has spread this rumor, No don't
deny it. know ~
In the second place. even though
| were treating Sears. it would be no
concern Of yours or of any one else so
long as | conine myself 10 proies-
sona duties. Those things, however,
are immalerial.
"The> chief thing want 10 say TO
YOU is this;
II have asked Ruth Mitchell 10 be
my Wife, intend TO see just a, much
OF her as possibly can.
81 regard this fake warning you
have given me as lower than an insult
ms Bit OF presumption from a con
temptible sneak,
Il know this much about you. Ken
nedy; You Will go so far, be so petty
and mean as 10 have boy loarers call
names after man you dislike sup
pect too, that You write anonymous
notes. Why--you aren't man or Id
he tempted TO slap your lying mouth
now. You're merely an oyererown.
sneakins lout."
lie stepped TO one side.
Now make tracks," he snapped
with quick, suggestive gesture. "lI
YOU so much as utter one more word
in this Office I'll lower myself enough
TO throw YOU down the stairs"
And Kennedy Went. trying to make
his legs move deliberately. but in
they all but ran him out OF the Office,
and his feet. descending. Numbered on
to tairs; fol- the fear that strong
men can send 10 weak was IN his
heart,
Hardy walked up and down his Of
flee.
"rhe presumption OF the pup the
pupP he muttered over and over.
Then, with quick shift of emo
tons. his mouth softenng. he Wits.
pered:
"Ruth--is it going TO hurt us--on
the edge OF happiness"
He looked into the stree, and saw
Ruth Mitchell coming toward him.
She was in haste, walking rapidly,
and as he looked she broke into a nun
for a half dozen steps. In the middle
OF the street she lifted her face to him
and ne saw II was harried, pale She
bobbed her head in recognition and
ran again. In moment she was he.
fore him.
ooh, Ellis, it's awful she whis-
pered coming close and taking one Of
his hands in hers. you've heard"
What? These silly rumors--that
I'm an outlaw without the courage OF
my convictions""
Eyes
eyes. I've heard them" he said re-
assurincly. What of it?"
But they're saying such dreadful
things?'
Perhaps I'm open TO some of it. I
am treating Sears
A pause. in which she did not return
his searching gaze
Il suppose some one had to----aite
he was hurt ! was weak enough to
hope II wasn't you, though"
But so long as this ENHANCEMENT IL
an honest one it will make no differ
ence what people say, will it?
"Of course" and his voice took on
harder note--"therc are some who
will try to hurt me. They are trying
/. IL now.
Walter Kennedy Is trying It,
Ruth" She started visibly at the
name. He was here just a moment
before you came. He came to tell me