The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-08-28
PLAYING
THE LAST
CARD
By DUFoRD JENNIE

/
Maisie was certain she recognized
MN the moment she saw him, quietly
studying the crowd that poured into
tne doors Of the great city station.
She felt, for moment, as II all hope
nad gone. She had brought her father
safeiy through the net that was clos
Ing around him, only at the last to
nave escape seem impossible.
For a moment courage failed her,
then she was again her naturally
courageous self.
Almost free. dad" she said cheer
fully, patting his hand.
know, honey. but I feel as II
ought TO return and take what
comes"
Hidden as they were in the shadow
Qf the corner Of the noisy station,
away from the gates, she sensed the
deep despair that had transformed
him in few weeks to broken man.
"Returni Neverl There's Just one
thing to DO, and we are going to do 1t !
You know that stelnert group wrecked
your bank, and that Il they get their
hands On you, you viii Be- the one t.
sqffer; Yen are not guilty, father,
but you knoy they have you cornered
Y tscbnicaliHes 50 that you will havS
to suher. = We can sst away, they
will have to make good the banks
losses, and then In a year ST tW6 We
can bring out the truth, perhaps. 70
return Is to play into their handsw
Again she comforted him as she had
many times since the dark hour when
his supposed friends had wrecked the
bank to which he had given a lifetime
Of devoted care.
"Now. look, father. want you to
go on to New York alone"
But"
please. am your guardian now.
Go to the hotel we picked out. I'll
Join you tomorrow, and we'll sail the
next day"
"Tll Co." he said simply, with the
quiet assent of one who has ceased
to plan for himself.
"And now, Mr.. Detective. here Is
where play my last card with you"
she said to herself. II know you were
sent here to catch us. saw you with
those lawyers"
She went swiftly toward the tall
form she had seen. AS she drew near
he turned gray eyes upon her that
widened with sudden interest.
$50 It does pay to be beautiful"
she thought with mixed feelings. Il
shall make him forget his business If
1t can be done"
Can you tell me II the 7:15 west
has pulled out?" she asked anxiously.
81 am sorry, but they just closed
the gates" he said with interest.
IT wonder when the next train will
be7" she asked.
II don't know" he answered readily.
but we can find out"
With a little glow of triumph, she
followed him to the information win
dow, where they learned that the next
train was at eleven o'clock.
At her cry of dismay. he spoke
quickly. You're out Of luck. and so
am I. rye got to meet every train
from the east until midnight. And I'm
hungry as the traditional bear. What
do you say we hustle over to and pun
ish the viandsr he said. smiling.
.T am with your she answered
heartily, almost ready to do a little
dance at the success of her scheme.
Now her father would be sure to get
away, for his train went south at a
time that would find them In the res.
taurant.
He was familiar with the section
evidently, for he led her up mar
row street, then a sort of alleyway
that opened into one of the fine little
restaurants often found in out-of-the
way places and known only to select
group.
They settled themselves comfort
ably at a secluded table. and he or
dered a small feast with skill and
anticipation.
She had been able to get mere
glimpse of him at the conference In
her fathers home. and she knew he
had not seen her. Her Intention tt
firt with him died soon. His gray
flne eyes, clean-cut, manly face ir
some way or other made 1t impossible
for her to try such tactics.
"Just the type Of man could really
learn to love. guess" she confidet
to herself.
The repast appeared, and as the,
disposed of 1t they chatted. She KEEP
her eye on the clock. and saw tht
hands creep around with the minutes
70 The moment when the express worlt
hear her father away TO the safety o.
a mighty city where one could lose
himself as If in an unpeopled solitude
He leaned back. Hang 1t, | wish
knew where certain chap Is"
"Do your" she said mildly.
"You bet" he answered. I'm cui
lawyer In the office of Mixer ant
Browne. A bunch of high flyers II