Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1932-08-26
The Last Card
--e-s4ra
BY DUFoRD JENNIE.
20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndieate.l
(WNU service)

N N sAACAG was CCANAtn ShC ACNOo
AVA nized him the moment she saw
him, quietly studying the crowd that
poured into the doors of the great
city station.
She felt, for a moment. as If all
hope had gone. She had brought her
father safely through the net that
was closing around him, only at the
last to have escape seem impossible.
almost free, dad" she said cheer
fully, patting his hand.
II know, honey, but I feel as If /
ought to return and-take what
comes"
Return? Neverl There's just one
thing to do. and we are going to do
It'll You know that Steinert group
wrecked your bank. and that If they
get their hands on. you, you will be
the one to suffer You are not guilty.
father, but you know they have you
cornered in technicalities so that you
will have to suffer. II we can get
away, they will have to make good
the banks losses, and then in a year
or two we can bring out the truth,
perhaps. To return is to play into
their hands,"
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 lifetime Of devoted care.
'Now. look, father. l want you to
no 10 T-,s.9 IL
"But-"
please. l am your guardian now.
Go to the hotel we picked out. I'll
join you tomorrow, and wen sail the
next day."
I'm 60" 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. Il 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 1t does pay to be beautiful"
she thought with mixed feelings. 81
shall make him forget his business
if 1t can be done"
"Can you tell me If the 7:15 west
has pulled OutT she asked anxiously.
Il am sorry, but they just closed
the gates" he said with interest.
81 wonder what the next train will
beg" she asked.
II don't KNOW" he answered read
lily. But we can find out"
With a glow of triumph she fol-
lowed 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 l. I've got to meet every train
from the east until midnight. And
I'm as hungry as the traditional
bear. What do you say we hustle
over and punish the viandsT' he said
smiling.
81 am with you'll" she answered
heartily, almost ready to do a little
dance at the success Of her scheme.
They settled themselves comfort
ably at secluded table, and he or
dered a small feast with skill and
anticipation.
She had been able to get a mere
| glimpse Of him at the conference In
her fathers home, and she knew he
had not seen her. Her intention to
fiirt with him died soon. His gray,
fine eyes, clean-cut manly face in
some way or other made it impossi-
BILE for her to try such tactics.
The repast appeared. and as they
disposed Of it they chatted. She kept
her eye on the clock. and saw the
hands creep around the minutes to
the moment when the express would
bear her father away to the safety
Of a mighty city where one could
lose himself as II in an unpeopled
solitude.
He leaned back. Hang it, 1 wish
l knew where a certain chap is"
do you" she said mildly.
you bet," he answered. I'm a
cub lawyer In the Office Of Mixer &
Browne. A bunch Of high flyers in
finance wrecked bank up country.
President Is a fine chap. and they
got him in bad fix, no fault of his,
where they could Jail him and grab
his bank. He trusted 'em too much.
Best thing about it is, one of them
got sore at the rest, gave out the
whole story, and Mixer telephoned
me to rush down to the station and
see If could catch Harms. the pres
ident, who had tried to get away.
Don't blame him a bit. Best thing he
could have done. They traced him
to the four O'Clock train why.
what is the matter? Don't you"
you mean the truth has come out,
That-that-you mean President
Harms will not be prOsecuted?" she
gasped.
He stared at her. "Surei One Of
the gang-but what 1t is"
"He is my father" she said broken.
iy-and then told him the whole
story.
AS she finished. he leaned over and
patted her hand. This Is a queer