Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-05-16

NlScount Stamlncrcu, lecpis, eAll ""
possess that letter.
And Theodore. walking to his bu-
rcau, and, pointing to the letter
which he had placed there, said:
"Behold It."
And then another pause during
which the young man closed his eyes,
striving to shut out the appalling i'm
age of his fathers guilt: while the
visconnt after n moments reflection,
had grown calm again.
"And now. father. YOU will depart,
will YOU not?' ut length said Thco-
dorc.
And the viscount. very deliberately
rising from his chair. cried loudly,
and with all his natural audacity,
mo. l rcmain.'
"Rcmain" exclaimed Theodore. in
great surprise. "Do you forget that
your life is at stalc?"
II have remembered" and the Wis
count smiled with satisfaction. chat
have no longer aught to fear"
''What can you mean?'
"That you are about to deliver to
me that proof, in order that may an
initiate it as l have annihilated all
the others
Render myself infamous-nevcr!
Oh. never"
Give me that letter" demanded
the viScount.
Theodore looked a determined re-
fuSal.
II tell you that 1 must and will
have it," continued Niscount Dare
leigh. eff you refuse it to me YOU
will but give me the trouble to take
it,
And he had advanced step toward
the bureau.
Then Theodore fastened himself
upon the viscount, whom he struggled
to restrain.
"You shall not. father, lay hands
on that dcposit." Theodore exclaimed.
81 wish that YOU should live. You
may escape. I have contrivcd for you
time for that. But do not make of
me your accomplish. father the
young man distractcdly cried, falling
on his knees. but still relaxing not his
hold on the viscount. "Fathcr! you
have now neither title nor fortune to
bcqueath me; leave to me. then. the
only good that still belongs to ne
leave me my honor!"
Rut Theodores pleadings We're all
UNDECIDED by the viscount, who still
continued struggling toward the bu-
reau. dragging with him Theodore,
from whose clutches there was no es-
Gaping.
81 am not to be stopped by an OBJ
stacle such as you. when have but
another step to make to render N.Y.
self forever secure"
Theodore rcdoubled his efforts
chung to the viscounts knces-wept
and implored him to have pity on his
son.
But his fathers only answer was,
81 must and will have that letter.
And at last he freed himself from
the young mans grasp.
| The viscount was near the bureau
and about to seize the letter, but The
odorc. starting to his feet. suddenly
placed himself between the viscount
and the bureau. and drawing himself
up to his full height, said firmly and
detcrmincdly:
81 have told you. viscount, that YOU
! should not have that letter; and by
heaven you shall mott"
| Niscount Darclcigh was for just one
moment COMPOUNDED and wavcring,
TIL" next instant he said. rcsolutcly,
"Madman! if YOU knew all the past
You would comprehend how useless
must be your present resistance"
"Oh. you will not compel me to al
impious struggle pleaded Theodore
''ln the name of my mother. | swear
that you shall kill me before giving
me to dishonor."
"Your mother. fool.' sneercd the Wis
count. and then said. thrcatcningly
you will give me that letter.
.'Never" replied Theodore, as reso
lutcly as before.
The viscount placed his hand be
meath his vest and drew forth small
pocket pistol as coolly he said, "Wcl
then will take it"
And Theodore, who had not stirrc,
from before the bureau, said, resign
cdly. you will then assassnate me
for cannot defend myself agains
You since YOU are my father"
And Theodore tlinched not as he be
lid the pistol levellcd toward him.
But. ut that moment, when deaf
appeared so imminent, he saw a doc
Of the room dashed suddenly opel
and a man. springing on to the Wis
count, struck the pistol from his han
and the weapon fell uneXploded
the floor.
That timely rescuer was Noel Bal
: rington, who had been at hand an
listening.
, Again was the viscount CHASTITY an
; trembling, for now he knew that pas
for him was every hope in this worlt
/ and hopeless was he, too, of mercy
: the world to come.
5 And not harrington alone had no
arrived, for following came Emmelil
: and her lover; and lastly and swellin
!, with Importance, our worthy hackne
coachman, Jonas Jarvis.
: And waddling toward Theodor
f Jarvis shouted to him, Don't tronb
yourself about being particular wit
: that gentleman, for he is not yo1
Y father"
1t would be impossible to dcscril
/, Theodore's amaZemcnt at this n
il nounccment of fact which will ha,
been, perhaps, anticipated by Il
4 reader.
r We have said that in early life ia
d Wis had been employed in a very pre-
d liable calling.
n He had been the guard of ma