Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-10-04
CHAPTER XVIII.

II was a desperate game that he
was playing. No one realized this bet
ter than Harvey Barclay himself as
in his own mind, walking slowly TO
his rooms, ne reviewed the conver-
sation which had just taken pace. Yet
he had naught to lose and all to gain.
A few days longer and the note would
fall due If before that date he failed
to win Grace Hawthorne'ss promise
to become his wife, he would make
that his weapon.
Should she wish to spare the man,
who had forged her name. he would
give him up to law, unless she redeem-
ed him by her pledge to him.
Helen would swear to his statement
of the note. and Harry could deny IT
only by exposing the infamy or the
woman who bore his name.
Little had Harvey Barclay dreamed
where the current would bear him.. on
whose black bosom he first had let
himself idly drift.
Suddenly, a hand falling heavily on
his shoulder interrupted his sombre
thoughts. He turned. man some
what fiashily dressed, had approached
him from behind.
He grew pale as he recognized him.
What had Tom Window to say to
him? And did he know or suspect the
truth? If so, his life was not worth
many minutes purchase. but he would
sell 1t dearly.
All his former effort to avoid this
meeting had been futile. Fate had
forced It, But the mans first words
=, to
Window connected him only with
another man-the man OF whom he was
in search-the man who had been his
friend.
at want a word with YOU" he said.
"Do you remember me?"
"Pve some reason to-" laughed the
oaicer. II left cool thousand in your
hands six years ago. and couldn't
very well spare 1t, either. nope you
put II to good use?"
sNeyer mind the money. Many a
thousand has slipped through my fing-
ers since then. But that's not all that
sIirped through 'em. She left me. But
I've found her again. She's here In
wa ashington, and married" land he
laughed a harsh, coarse laugh as ne re-
mated the word, as though 1t held
mendous swell! I'VE found her!" he
repeated, bitterly; "but I've not FOUND
bim-curse him. No, I don't mean her
| husband. can afford to let him nave
his swing a little while. l mean the
man that played traitor TO me-the
man who was your friend-Henry
George. Tell me where to find him-teil
| me where I can meet him face to face,
| man ever owed to man."
"I don't know where Geoyge Is. The
last I heard Of him he had gone on q
! cruise to China. That's more than tive
| years ago"
A shade Of acute disappointment
swept over WINDOWS face.
| 1T can bide my time" he said. "Tl
/ find him yet
And. without further word. he walket
RAPIDLY ahead. and was soon lost tt
sight amid the crowd.
ordinarily Harvey Barclay was phys
ica,iy no coward. but as he stepped int
a hotel before which Window had hap
pened to accost him, he felt his limbs
trembling beneath him. and. walking
to a bar, he filed tumbier three
fourths full Of brandy and drank 4
| down at a single draught.
That same afternoon Grace and Hell
en-, side by side. drove slowly down tn
avenue. The girls heart was very sore
and the dread of some unknown i'll op
pressed her.
She had feared to leave the house
lest some of Harry's creditors. will
whom Harvey Barclay had threatene'
her, should besiege 1t In her absence
lest some whisper should reach that oil
white haired man within Its honore'
; walls, and bow his head to the dus
with shame.
Harry-Harry, who had reproache'
! his rather for the paltry loss Of money
J swept away through no fault OF hi
own--ccrid now barter his own homo
a at the. gaming .tabie!a 1t seemed In
credible.