Meeting Willis Enderby while charge and counter-charge still rilled the
air, Io put the direct query to him:
"Cousin Billy, what is the truth about the Laird-Masters story?"
"Made up out of whole cloth," responded Enderby.
"Who made it up?"
Comprehension and pity were in his intonation as he replied: "Not
Banneker, I understand. It was passed on to him."
"Then you don't think him to blame?" she cried eagerly.
"I can't exculpate him as readily as that. Such a story, considering its
inevitable--I may say its intended--consequences, should never have been
published without the fullest investigation."
"Suppose"--she hesitated--"he had it on what he considered good
authority?"
"He has never even cited his authority."
"Couldn't it have been confidential?" she pleaded.
"Io, do you know his authority? Has he told you?"
"No."
Enderby's voice was very gentle as he put his next question. "Do you
trust Banneker, my dear?"
She met his regard, unflinchingly, but there was a piteous quiver about
the lips which formed the answer. "I have trusted him. Absolutely."
"Ah; well! I've seen too much good and bad too inextricably mingled in
human nature, to judge on part information."
Election day came and passed.
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