Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-06

had loved her so faithfully took It's
flight
Philip could not sec when he turned (
his face to the light of the office. For
the first time the grief which he had
choked back escaped in gasping
break In his voice, and he wiped his
eyes with his pocket-hand ndkerchief. He
knew that MacDougall was looking
upon his weakness, but he did not at
first see that there was another per-
son In the room besides the engineer.
This second person rose to meet hims4
while MacDougall remained In his seat.
and as he came out into the clearer
believe his eyes.
1t was Gregson!
II am sorry that I came In just at
this time, Phil" he greeted, in a low
voice. :.
Philip stared, still incredulous. He
had never seen Gregson as he looked
now The artist advanced no farther.
He did not hold out his hand. There
was none of the Joy OF meeting in his.
face His eyes shifted to the door that''
led into the death-chamber, and they
were filled with the gloom OF a con-
demned man. With a low word Philip
held out his hand to meet his old COM
rade's. Eiregson drew back.
"No--not now he said. "Wait--$
until you have heard me-"
Something in his cold, passionlesa
voice stopped Philip. He saw Gregson
glance toward MacDougall. and UNDER
stood what he meant. Going to the
engineer, he placed a hand on his
shoulder, and spoke SO that only he
could hear.
"She is In there, Mac-with Pierre.
She wanted to be alone with him for
few minutes. Will you wait for her
-outside--at the door, and take her
over to Cassidy's wife? Tell her that
I will come to her In aslittle while"
He followed MacDougall to the door,
speaking to him in a low voice, and
then turned to Gregson. The artist
had seated himself at one side Of the
small office table, and Philip sat down
opposite him, holding out his hand 70
him again.
What is the matter, Greggy?"
"This is not time for long explains
tions," said the artist, still holding
back his hand. "They can come later,
Phil. But tonight-now-you must
understand why cannot shake hands
with you. We have been friends for
good many years, In a few minutes
we will be enemies-or you will be
mine. One thing, before I go on,
! must ask of you. demand II. What
ever passes between us during the
next ten minutes, say no word against
Eileen Brokaw. I will say what you
might say-that for a time her soul
wandered and was almost lost. But
II has come back to her. strong and
pure. love her. Some strange fate
has ordained that she should love me.
worthless as / am. She is to be my
wife"
Philips hand was still across the
table.
"Greggy-Greggy-G bless you."
he cried, softly. II know what 1t IL to
love, and to be loved. Why should I
be your enemy because Eileen Bro
kaw's heart has turned to gold and
she has given it to you? Greggy,
shake!"
Wait" said Gregson, huskily. Phil.
you are breaking my heart. Listen
You got my note? But ] did not
desert you so abominably. / made .
discovery that last night of yours in
Churchill. I went to Eileen Brokaw,
and tomorrow-some time-if you care
I will tell you of all that happenedy
First you must know this. / have
found the power that is fighting you
down below. I have found the man
who Is behind the plot to ruin your
company, the man who is responsible
for Thorpe's crimes. the man who Is
or-that-in-there."
lie leaned across the table and
pointed to the closed door.
"And that NAH
For a moment he seemed to choke.
"Is Brokaw, the father of my affi-
anced wife!"
Good Cod" cried Philip. "Gregson.
are you mad?"
CONTINUED TOMORROW