Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/351



HEN Steve Hoyle discovered next morning that the suit of stripes which he had secured at enormous expense in bribery and hush money had been lost he was furious. The jailor laughed at his idle threats and cursed him roundly when accused of making way with the suit.

Steve left in a rage to drum up a larger crowd to hoot and yell at the man he hated.

Stella pressed her way through the throng of Negroes into the jail, carrying an enormous bouquet of roses in one hand and in the other a basket of delicate flowers threaded into long beautiful garlands.

John determined to save her from the scene of his humiliation.

"You must not go through the streets with me to the train, my dear," he said tenderly. "Go down in a carriage and join me at the station."

"I will if they let you ride with me," she firmly answered.

"Impossible. They've given special orders that I shall walk."