The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-07-10
CHAPTER ls
TopnH Tarrart's Ioyr

Topaz TaEEart's Love
when Mary eamo 60 Taggart's
office that afternoon ne greeted her
with an air OF kindness.
I'm so sorry" he said. hut the
judge refused absolutely 20 give bail.
IT'S hard TO got on murder charge.
/ you know. and especially since your
father has been n fugitive for so
long"
Mary's face elouded with disap.
polntmcnt.
"still. don't worry" Tnggnrt has
tened 10 add Trial has been set
for ono week from todAy-And then
wen set him free" lie smiled re.
aAsuringly. you can count on mo
TO do everything -ovorything possi-
bic. 20 win this eaae--for my old
I friend"
Mays face stIll betrayed her
anxiety.
Buff the case should 30 against
us-lt they find him guilty." she
/ cried and broke down IN tears.
! Taggart came over TO her and
patted her on tho shoulder.
There. there" he said. well sc,
him off" lie paused. then added:
'of course. in these matters YOU
! never can tell what jury may do
and there is always the chance. how.
ever remote. that tho verdict win so
/ against us"
Mary shuddsred and renewed
flood OF tears burst from her eyes.
Tnggart's huge. uneouth hand
continued 20 pat her and no said.
Even thon-lf that should hap.
pen-I don't think 4; will. but II IL
should -you. Mary-you can count
on your fathers old friend, Topaz
Taggart."
Becoming aware Of the meaning
behind Taggart's advances. Mary
stopped crying. wiped her eyes. and
looking nj TagEari. asked
Has Terence returned from la
tiso YETI"
Tasgnrt frowned.
mo. can't think what Is detAin-
ms him" he answered. Then after
pause. he added: MARY. I don't
quito trust that o'Rourke We
shouldn't have trusted him with that
money. should not be- surprised
II the fellow shows up In his trua
colors now. He may havo abseonded
with tho money
Mary arose. angrily.
why Mr. Tsggart." sho exclaimed
How can you say thet1 Mr..
o'RouEko r. absolutely trustworthy.
And ho's--he's my fiancn."
TaREart looked az her with nj.
fcctsd sympathy.
Yes. no said slowly II had OBJ
served with aorrow--that you cared
for him. That's why 1 have said
nothing about my suspicious Of him
before. But can not help but feel
that you arc being deceived In him.
Perhaps this day will prove that /
am right"
After pause. Taggnr,. looking
at Mary tendsriy. said in soft
/ voice.
Mary. haven't you seen that T.
I. your fathers old friend. who has
been protecting his interests ali these
yeRra-I. who now am putting every
force nj my command into my effort
10 save your fathers iife-don't you
SC that |, too. love you. Nary Why
don't you put your trust in me. tried
and true friend OF your father. in.
stead OF this stranger. OF whom wo
know nothing. this man who oven
now may DO fleeing across the Dor.
der with tho last OF your money!
lie seized her hand. Mary re-
sisted him.
Taggnrt went on;
Mary. from the moment you mr..
rived here. adored YOU"
Mary interrupted him.
Please. Mr.. TRggari." she said,
don't talk liko this. appreciate
all you have done and are doing
/ for father and me. but this--well,
you have surprised mo 10. and don't
you SEQ II IL impossible heart
is already taken. And I wish you
would not cast reflections on Mr.
| o'Rourke oh. don't think mo un.
| Krateful-but you must sec how II
ls. And now with father in this tor
riblo trouble aud all these worries.
| | can't think. / can't"
Taggart looked hurt and said with
tender assignment!
There, there, Mary. I understand
how you feel. ] shall wait until
/ after the trinl--and by then you will
/ know that old friends arc one1 TO
trust. for whatever tho way tho YER.
dict goes. you win find me tho friend
you can depend upon and tho one
who loves you"
II must 80 back TO father" said
Mary, preparing TO leave.
II will let you know MS soon ms
O'Rourko comes back--if ho does"
Taggart assured her. oscorting her
TO tho door. And remember. Mary
whatever happons-T Topaz Taggort
Is tho ono friend In all tho world
that you can count upon absolutely"
Half an hour later another visitor
camo 70 Taggart's office. II was
Buck Mcleod. Ho grinnod trlum.
phnntly.
TITS done" no told Taggart
Good work." said Taggart, rub
bling his hands enthusiastically, And
did you bring mo the"
Here II U.s." Buck interrupted
him, handing nm envelope.