Part 16 (1/2)

CHAPTER IX

DAYS OF STORM AND STRESS

It was during breakfast at ”Layton” that Kathleen O'Connor attacked Denis Quirk on the subject of his treat in bed; her husband had scrah hisof a drain, leaving Denis alone with the girl He had noticed her silence and aloofness, sure signs of displeasure, and, as was his way, he calmly faced her in the ry with me?” he asked abruptly

”Why should I be? I have no claio, for his own sake,” he said, going straight to the point without explanation ”It was the only hope of saving him”

She did not answer, but her eyes filled with tears, vainly though she tried to repress thened not to see them

”In Grey Town he must be ruined,” he said, not unkindly

”And ill he do alone in a great city, with no one to advise hiht it out and win, if he is made of the stuff I believe to be in hi him, body and soul”

”He had one friend at least in Mr Gerard,” she said

”We had better not discuss Gerard,” he replied, rising quietly

”Mr Gerard has told an

”Never believe a hostile witness until he has safely stood the fire of cross-examination,” he reive the boy just one chance!” she cried ”My heart is breaking for him!”

Therewith she rose and left the room Denis took out his pipe and filled it Then he went to ”The Mercury” office, shtfully The first person to meet him on his arrival was John Gerard

”What do you ith me?” asked Denis Quirk, abruptly

”Just to hand in nation I have other schemes on hand, and cannot find the necessary time to your work,” replied Gerard

Denis Quirk noted the absence of the customary suavity and deference in the way in which Gerard addressed hiht you are! Come to me in five minutes for your cheque You have saved yourself dis the whole staff?” asked Gerard

”Only the useless ones,” replied Denis quietly, as he entered the room

”Your cheque--and the door, you durned skunk!” he said, fivefuriously, but one look at the strong, ugly face and sturdy figure convinced him of the wisdom of silence until he was actually on the doorstep of the office Then he said:

”You will have to deal withthat,” replied Denis, s editor