Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-05-25
HALF A ROGUE
BY HAROLD VAC GRATH
Author Of The Man on the Box The Puppst Crown, Hearts and Masks. Etc.
Copyright BobbsMarin Co. Indianapolis.
CHAPTER x-1ceasnued.>

S7A1lE A-A@GS3kS0ueU.l
eyes. He had the audacity to pro-
pose to mother shortly after fathers
death. Think of It! John wrote to
him very definitely that his presence
In the house would no longer be well
coined or tolerated."
Warrington looked at her in S
We'll, Of all the nerve! Why the
deuce didn't John punch his head?"
savagely.
"Mr. McQade is not a gentleman:
John is" simply. But Mr.. McQuade
hasn't forgotten; not he. He pays no
sign that he does not think a good
deal. To his mind I can see that. he
considers himself badly %affronted: and
from what l know of his history. he
never lets an affront pass without
striking back in some manner"
What do you think? He is SO
anxious to get me out of the political
Arena that he has sent a man down to
New York to look into my past. Isn't
Patty stopped again to the fishing
Patty stopped again to the fishing
tackle.
I should be careful II l were you. Your
own conscience may prove you guiltless
OF scandal, but there are certain people
who would rather believe bad than
good-scandal han truth: and these
are always in majority. Don't laugh
but watch. That's my advice to you.
II may not a lived as cleanly as
I might have" he said soberly. II have
been Knocked about so much. There
were times when l grew tired of fight
Ing. But I have never one anything
thai will not stand daylight. There was
q time, Patty. when I came near making
q fool of myself"
His head was turned owav h,it Sho
could see he muscles in the jaws
harden.
You will never go back to those
days, I ann sure Richard"
That h had at last pronounced his
given name did not stir him; in fact 1T
q dragon-brood. he saw in fancy his
past follies springing up about him.
your brothers wife brought me to
my Senses" he said. What I am to-
day h in part has made. That is
why I think 80 much of her; that is
happy and has realized her hearts
desire. Heigh-ho! believe 1 am
making you my confessor." He turned
his face toward her now and his
smile was rather sad. when / recall
h worry I have given my o old
aunt. who loves me so. I feel like a
contemplate %scoundrel. How many
~ 4AAASo kAGAo 0ALS AAAoUG "
me, in h days when we had nothing!
But she shall have all the comforts
now, and all the love and kindness 1
am capable Of giving her. / shall never
leave he again."
There were tears in Patty's eyes.
'It is too late to mend; and
hen a man is penitent, truly and hon
estly penitent, much shall be forgiven
him. 1t is only those who are by ma
ture coarse who do not eventually sur
mount temptation. What you have
told me I nave known this long while.''
you have known?" he cried with
sinking heart.
Yes. We live in a city where gossip
travels quickly and thoroughly. Mrs.
Franklin Haldenc was telling mother
one afternoon that you drank. / sup
pose she felt 1t her duty"
He shrugged expressively. II ought
to have known"
The two entered the house. War
rington, having arrived at the writing
adea. Patty sat down.
Il want you to write something for
me-" he said, pushing the pen and tab
let toward her.
Whats the matter with your hand?"
she demanded.
Nothing"
''Then why do you want me to
writer"
Il have never seen your handwriting.
Tn something of an expert in that line.
TIL read your future"
But I don't want my future read"
yebelliously.
well. then, your past"
Much less my past. Come; you are
only beating about the bush. What is
It you want?"
'IN want to know" he said quietly.
why you nave kept me in ignorance
al this while" He laid the letter on
the desk. and placed a finger on the
water-mark. ut wasn't fair to let me
compose p~anegyrics owe 1t all the while
you were laughing in your sleeve. All.
I've caught You amt get away
this time, Patty.
Il haven't the slightest idea what you
are talking about" But she looked at
the letter and not at him.
do you see those water.marks?' he
demanded.
yves. You will and them in a thou
sand tablets like this. I bought a
dozen Of them in New York; cheap and
handy"
warrington's confidence in his dis
covery began to shake. He braced him.
self and took q bold course.
Patty. you wrote that letter; you
know you did. You wrote 1t in New
York. the day you bought the tablets"
Eyes. Confess"
my lear MI. Warrington, you must
prove It." lightly. 1T would not be
proper for me to admit that I had been
20 foolish az to write a letter like that"
but you've praised it,"
Simply because praising It would
please you: for nj other reason"
Did you, or did you not write it?''
'Find out. You must prove that 1
wrote It. Certainly I have nothing to
confess."