Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-10-11

Here SIZE paused, standing, all uncon-
sciously az she had stood on the day
she had challenged him as to the In.
| depreciation OF his threat. with one
hand resting on the piano for support
|" she drew long. dep rbetha n val
She drew a long. deep breath, az II to
inspire herself with courage. Before
her was hard task. and she must not
finch. She had played with life until
to-day Now life was about to play
with her. She had need Of all her
strength to meet the conflict.
We are secure from interruption
| here" she said, after a very little until,
almost imperceptible pause. You see
that have sent for you. Mr.. Barclay.
Have you guessed why?"
| II understand that Mr.. Reynolds has
been taken very Ill., Miss Hawthorne
am more than honored that you
should have remembered me, and beg
that you will command my services in
| any way" .e,
Don't make explanations harder for
me. Mr.. Barclay" she replied. "Uncle
Edgar is very i'll; but there is more
| than this. You-you accepted note
| some time since for Harry which,
| which I signed. VIII you tell me II it
was to you alone he owed this large
amount? or what may be the claim of
| this other man whose name Is indorsed
| upon it?"
! Harvey Barclays lips trembled be-
| meath his mustache. and his pale cheeks
grew paler. The time had come when
he could no longer shift responsibility,
! but must act, and act fearlessly and
boldly. The. girl dealt with facts as
facts. She had a clear, Straightforward
way of looking at the truth. and fore.
ing others to view it from her own
standpoint. In her own nature was no
snbterfuge-no need of subterfuge. It's
utter absence disarmed her enemies.
There was one tiny moment when
something in Harvey Barclays nature
rebelled at Harvey Barclays self-the
something which had tempted him once
to say, Il was not born villain, but
fate has made me one!"--something
which cried out TO him to throw of this
hideous mask he wore, and, looking in
the young. beautiful and anguished face
before him. kneel at her feet and, avow-
ing all his fault, sue for her pardon and
her mercy. But, even as the thought
was formed, 1t was scattered.
Should he throw away the prize he
held at last within his grasp? Once his
wife, he might avow to her the truth.
"You ask me very difficult question.
Miss Hawthorne" he said. speaking
with evident effort. Surely, when you
signed" emphasizing the word, that
note, Mr.. Reynolds explained to you its
purpose?"
"No," she answered, and the false
hood brought the color momentarily
back to her face. "He-he only said
that he had need Of my signature, ana
II gave It to him. He knew that all
my fortune was and Is at his disposal.
He had no need to make explanation
| for It's use.
"You are most generous, Miss Haw-
thorne." replied her hearer. with a
| scarcely perceptible Sheer. And, par
don me. you are very young: but may
I ask why you consider 1t necessary to
come to me for explanation. since you
| desired none from him?"
only. Mr.. Barclay, because, most un-
| expectedIy. owing to my guardians III
| ness. find myself called upon to act
| for myself. The bank officials were
/ foolish enough to fancy they detected
some inaccuracy In the signature OF
! this note. and sent to make cure that II
was ullne. lHey may pc TedSSuTeQ On
| that point at once. My uncle was taxi
en- Ill while their messenger was wait
ing. simply told him that'the sigma
ture was mine, and that I wished the
| note paid at once. He returned not
long after, stating that my balance in
| bank represented but half the actual
I amount. Until Uncle Edgar Is better,
| I hardly know how to make provision
1 Z
| Barclay, to ask IL you were Harry's
| only creditor, IL there was not some
way by which you could extend tn.
time of payment for the sum have. in
my ignorance Of business matters, left
unprovided for?'
I Suppose, Grace" he answered very
slowly, fixing his eyes on her face as he
spoke, ''that tell you l have some rea.
son to share the suspicious of the bank,
and that mine are not so easily laid TO
rest? Suppose I acknowledge to you
that believe this signature of yours TO
be forgery-a forgery cleverly perpe-
trated by one who boasted, in my pres
ence. of his ability to sign your name;
who. in my presence. asked you to spare
him the punishment consequent upon
such an act. You prcmised-did you
not? And to-day--to me-you take the
first step toward redeeming your word.
But, my child, you cannot deceive me.
know the truth"
Graces face was no longer pale: It
was ghastly. Her worst fears had taxi
en- actual shape. No danger threaten
ing herself could have made of her a
coward; but this was danger to Harry,
danger to him she loved-danger which,
to reach him, must pass through her
heart. Yet, with all her soul scorning
him. her love refused to lower its proud
crest ever so little. Judgment, reason,
alike denied him. Her heart still ac-
knowledged him. A piteous expression
of fear crept into her deep blue eyes.
and quivered about the corners of her
lovely mouth.
Tit Is false, what you say" she
said, at last, with painful effort. 81
/ sigred the note. / swear it!''
Then you will not fear to avow and
prove this fact in court, Miss Haw
thorne?" he answered. coldly.