The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-06-29
HALF A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Author Heart. and Mask. Etc.
Copyright Bobbs- Co, indianapolis
By HAROLD MAC GRATI


| SIi<AI 4 EN-
The reporter and the semi outcas
| smiled at each other. They saw thei
appetites appeased to safety.
| Does bottle go with the order
| Dick?" asked Jordan.
Half dozen!" laughed Warrington
| I've put YOU in the city hall, Dick,
when you're there"
| viii there be a story for me?" Jor
dan asked.
You'll have a page, Ben"
That's enough. Well, come on. Bill
we'll show the new mayor that we cal
order like gentlemen"
| Il remember But Osborn
dan was already propelling him towar,
| the door.
| Once the door had closed upon them
| Warrington capered around the room
like a school boy. The publication o
this confederacy between Morissy an,
McQuade would swing the doubtini
element over to his side and split tn
ranks Of the labor party.
| Patty, Patty Bennington! He mus
see her. 1t was impossible to wait an
other day. When was it he had see,
her last? Patty, dark-eyed, elfish
winsome, merry! Oh, yes, he must SCI
her at once, this very afternoon.
| Patty is not feeling WELL" said Mrs
Bennington, as she welcomed Warning
ton at the door, an hour later. II vii
call her. ! am sure she will be gla'
to see you"
| Warrington went into the must
room. When she finally appeared sh
was pale, her eyes were red, but he
head was erect and her lips firm.
Patty, are you ill?" Fastening to
ward her.
II have a very bad headache" coldly
you wished to see me?"
You have been crying. What ha
nappened?" anxiously.
1T can not interest you" YEARLY
Men! She would have a horror Of then
for the rest Of her days.
| mot interest me? Don't you know
| haven't you seen by this time, that 20,
interest me more than any other livini
being or any angel in heaven"
Patty caught at the portiere to stead,
herself. She had not expected declara
tons Of this kind.
Don't you know" he hurried on, hi
voice gaining In passion and tender
ness, don't you know that a pain t
you. means triple pain to me? Don
you know that love you? Patty, wha
Is the trouble?
do you wish to know, them" bit
terly. She hated him! How could h
stand there telling her that he love,
ner? Read this" presenting the let
ter. Il despise you!"
'Despise me? What in Gods name 1
the matter?
Once the letter was in his hand, he
arms dropped to her sides, tense. l
was beat so, to have 1t over with a
once. She watched him. His hand fel
slowly. 1t would have been Difficult
TO say which Of the two was the whittier
"You speak OF Lowell" Her wratl
seemed to scorch her lips. MY poo
prother!"
Warrington Strengthened. do 20,
believe this?"
us 1t true?"
"An anonymous letter." he replied
contemptuously.
Il know who wrote it."
"Who?"
II decline to answer"
$50 you give me not even the benefi
Of doubt! You believe it,"
Fatty was less observant than usual
"Will you please go now? / do no
think there is anything more to b
said.'
NO I will CO." He spoke quietly
out like a man who has received hi
death stroke. zone question more. Di,
McQuade write that letter."
mo"
| lie picked his nat, lie WAS gone.
Warrington stumbled rather thar
walked home. When he reached the op
posite curb he slipped and fell, bruisin,
his hands. Deny it? Deny 1t whei
convicted without trial? There ar
never any proofs to refute a lette
written by an unknown enemy. Their
Is never any guard against the stal
in the back. He and Kate! 1
was monstrous. And John? Did Johi
| hof nj
Patty surely had not shown it to John
He knew John Cor he believed he did
not all the proofs or explanation
Heaven or earth could give would con
vince John. If that letter fell into hi
hands. And he was to speak at ,
mass meeting that night! God! HI
stumbled UP the steps to the door. HI
believed It; Patty, just and merciful
believed 1t. If she believed, wha
would John, the jealous husband, be
lieve? There were so many trifin,
things that now in Johns eyes woult
assume immense proportions. . II
less than half an hour the world hat
stopped, turned about, and gone an
other way. He opened the door, Al
he did so a women rushed into TIL
hall.
Richard, Richard, 1 thought 20,
would never comet"
"You, and in this house alone?" Hi
shoulders dropped.
Mrs. Jack did not observe how whit
he, was, how dull his eye, how abjec
his whole attitude. She caught him b,
the sleeve and dragged him into thu
living-room.
Richard. l an dying!" she cried
She loosened the collaret at her throat
what shall / do, what shall / do?'
He realized then that he was no
alone In misery.
What is 1t, girl?" stirring himself
Listen Dick! She dropped into tn,
old name unconsciously. She had bu
one clear thought; this man could saw,
her. "Some time ago-the night yo,
and John went down town together
l received a telephone call from tina
vile wretch. McQuade."
"McQuade" Warrington's interes
was thoroughly aroused by that name
nothing else could have aroused II.
He said that If / did not persuade
you to withdraw your name before tn,
convention met he would not oppos,
the publication Of a certain story con
corning my past and yours. Horrible
What could do? l remained silent
It was Patty's advice. We were afrai,
that John would kill McQuade IL w,
told him." She let go Of his arm AM
paced the room, beating her hands to
gether. Think of the terror / hav
1iyad In all these uepksi And pou