Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

THE REPORTER 117 away in his desk, together with his first notes of the story of the robbery, which he had not turned in. Theywould establish his innocence immediately, if he used them. "Let the girl bear the added sorrow and disgrace," counseled reason. ' ' Why should you suffer for her father 's misdeeds ? ' ' But stronger and more potent than reason was the power that swayed him, rendering it impossible for him to add another pang to the sorrows which that young heart was already enduring. He looked at her picture. How merry and winsome the face was ! Then he thought of it as he had seen it last, white and stricken, like a delicate, crushed flower. He lifted his head with a quick, resolute gesture. "I'll stick to my course," he declared aloud; "I'll save her." Half an hour later, after he had become fully reconciled to his generous resolution, his cell door again opened, and his city editor and Morse entered, their faces bearing expressions which were a mixture of triumph and exasperation. Penworth sprang up in dismay, for in one hand the editor was waving the discarded burglary story, and in his other hand was Wayne's note of confession. "Pen, you young idiot, you consummate, quixotic fool," he yelled; "why didn't you show these things? What's the matter with you, anyway ? Are you stark, raving mad ? ' ' "Those papers are my own property. I wont have them used. You have no right poking into my desk," Penworth retorted, angrily. "No right! I suppose I'd have no right to pull you out of the river if you were trying to drown yourself. We didn't have one shred of evidence to offer in your favor, except our own faith in your character, and your good reputation. What does that amount to? I never saw a jury yet that was much impressed by a lot of character witnesses swearing that they never saw the prisoner kill a man." "We had to have some evidence, Pen," interrupted Morse. "I was convinced you were keeping something back, so we decided to see what we could find out — and it's a mighty good thing we did." "But think of Miss Wayne," protested Penworth; "think of her feelings when she learns that her dead father was a common thief. She must not know." "Dont worry," answered Morse; ' ' she knows already. We had to consult her to identify her father's writing." "You would make her testify against her own dead father?" cried Penworth. ' ' It will kill her ! " ' ' Oh, no, it wont. She was terribly broken up, of course, but she bore it splendidly. In fact" — here the attorney began to smile broadly — ' ' there seemed to be a satisfaction to her in our discovery that balanced up her grief a good deal." "What do you mean?" stammered Penworth. "I mean that she seemed highly gratified to know things were all right with you/' answered Morse. "Didn't you think so, John?" "I certainly did," replied the editor, with a grin ; ' ' and, by the way, Pen, I understand now about the blue eyes you mixed up with the decorations the other night. They certainly are as decorative a pair of eyes as I ever saw. ' ' Penworth looked uncertainly from one to the other of the two men, who were regarding him with quizzical enjoyment. "She's engaged to King," he said, disconsolately. "She wont be much longer," replied the cheerful attorney. ' ' Do you know where she is right now ? She is outside here in the office. Your being held for trial is only a matter of form now, so they are going to let her in to see you. We will wait for her out there. You needn't hurry." They left the cell, laughing at Penworth's bewildered face, but the editor turned back. "If you want to relieve her of her disgraced name and give her a good