The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-05-18
HALF "A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Masks Etc
Copyright errin Co.. Indianapolis
By HAROLD MAC GRATH

warrington. He walked in the golden
glow OF his first romance that romance
which never leaves US till life itself de-
parts.
John and Kate watched them APP
provingly They knew the worth Of the
man; they were not at all worried over
what was past.
One evening Kate and John sat or
the veranda from where they could
easily watch Warrington and Patty ir
the music room.
What do you think Of it, John?"
There's not a finer chap In the
world. But don't think Patty realizes
yet"
Dear Patty!" Kate reached over and
took his hand in hers. laying 1t against
her cold cheek. What is It. john
You have been worried all day."
Nothing; nothing to bother you
with"
1.-The shops? 1t worries me when you
don't conhde In me in everything"
well. dear. the trouble I've been ex-
pecting for months is about to come
You know young Chittenden, the Eng
lish inventor, has been experimenting
with a machine that will do the work
Of five men. They have been trying tc
force him to join the union, but he has
refused, having had too many examples
Of unionism In his own country to risl
his independence. Well, I received 8
letter from the general manager this
morning. Either Chittenden must joir
or go; otherwise the men will go out
September 1st."
what shall you do?"
81 shall keep Chittenden. an
master there" striking the arm Of his
chair; master in everything. If they
go out in September, 1t will be fol
good. / shall tear down the shops
and build model tenements."
"John"
II am sick and tired, dear. have
raised the wages all over the district;
my men work less than any other
hands in town. I have built gym
nasium for them, given them books
pool tables and games, to say moth
ing of the swimming tank. have
arranged the annual outings. / have
established pension list. But all this
seems to have done no good. I am
at the end Of the rope. Oh, the poor
devils who work are all right; it's the
men outside who are raising all this
trouble; it's the union, not the men
There's no denying the power these
men can WELD, for wrong or right
Ignorance cannot resist the temptation
to use 1t at all times and for all pur-
poses. But I am master at the Ben
nington shops: injustice shall not die
tate to me. They'll use II politically
too. After all, I'm glad I've told you
but, John, I'm afraid for you. They
may hurt YOU"
John answered with a sound that
was more Of growl than a laugh.
She kissed his hand. She knew tina,
no pleading could move him; and be-
sides. he was in the right.
II don't understand the lukewarm-
ness OF the party papers," he said
"They ought to hurrah over Dick. But
perhaps the secret machinery Is beine
set to work, and they've been told tina,
there will be trouble at the conven.
ton. The senator never backs down
and I've never seen anybody that could
frighten Dick. There'll be some inter.
esting events this fall. Herculaneun
will figure In the newspapers from
Maine to California, for everybody il
familiar with Warrington's name and
work. It's a month yet before the
delegates get together
A quarter OF an nour later John and
Kate interrupted Patty and Warning
ton in the music room.
"A telegram for you, Dick" Johr
announced.
Warrington opened it carelessly an6
read it. He read 1t again, slowly; and
Patty, who was nearest to him, saw
MS race turn gray under the tan and
his lips tremble. He looked from one
to the other dumbly, then back at the
sheet in his hand.
Richard" said Kate. with tina,
quick intuition which leaps across
chasms of doubt and arrives definitely
my aunt died this afternoon" he
said, his voice breaking, for he had
not the power to control 1t.
Nobody moved; a kind of paralysis
touched them all.
"She died this afternoon, and
wasn't there" There is something ter.
rtbly pathetic in a strong mans grief
"Dick!" John rushed to his side
"Dick, old man, there must be some
mistake"
He seized the telegram from War.
ringtons nerveless fingers. There was
no mistake. The telegram was signed
by the family physician. Then Johr
did the kindliest thing In his power
do you wish to be alone, Dick?"
Warrington nodded. John laid the
telegram on the table, and the three
OF them passed out Of the room. A
gust Of wind, coming down from the
mountains, carried the telegram gently
to the floor. Warrington, leaning
against the table, stared down at 1t.