The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-09-19
CHAPTER xxxnI-tconunued.)

This last question came abruptly, in
harsh, trenchant tones, altogether diff
ferent to those Of her smooth contralto
voice. He turned his eye away from
her face, n looked down at his own
hands. which were clasped In front OF
him. {
because" he replied without Khe
slightst hesitation, II cannot face what
lies before me II / remain
wins not?'
FOR many reasons. There's Uncle
Rad to consider first and foremost, then
Edie. and Jim, and Frank"
What have they to do with It'll"
Everything. After the evidence at
the inquest today a warrant win be out
Tor my arrest within the next few
hours" 49, r.
what OF I'll" n.Z'
"The evidence against me Is over
whelming. I should be tried, perhaps
hanged, for murder, at best sent to Pc
nal servitude for life. / cannot nance
that. I must think Of Uncle Rad, OF
Edie. OF Jim and OF Frank
You have yourself to think OF first
and foremost"
wen he retorted simply, II have
thought of'myaelf, and 40 not see now
with my own dagger-stick brought up
in evidence against me, and my Ill
feeling toward-toward the dead man
so well known. l can possibly escape
condemnation"
He spoke in such even and perfectly
natural tones, that just for a moment
IL was a mere fash-LoulSe
if he were absolutely sane. II seemed
impossible that any man could preserve
auch calm in face Of the most appalling
fate that ever threatened human being
SHE. too. ike h Indifferent, h1de-
hound official this afternoon was seized
with an progressive desire TO preak
through that surface OF Ice. Tne outer
covering must be very thin, she
tho,,vhf. her presence must have melted
alltthe ecoldness that lay Immediately
below the surface. Without saying an
other word, quietly and simply she
came down on her knees. Her skirts
had not swished as she did so, not a
sound from her revealed the movement.
When he looked up again, her race was
on a level with his, and her eyes-those
great luminous eyes that shed no tears
at moments such as this1iooked
straight into his w 49,.
ESQ PHYS sake, Lou" he said, dom
make q dwelling coward OF me now.
And he rose, pushing his CHAIR ASIDE,
leaving her there, kneellnG oesioe the
desk. humbled and helpless. And ne
retreated within the shadow OF the
SIuke." she said, imploring him. you
are going to tell me all That troubles
NOTHING" he replied CURLY, troubles
me. You are wasting your sympathy
YOU know. And I have a tram 70
catch"
you are not going. Luke?"
Indeed I am"
You condemn yourself for a crime
which Won have not committed"
IT am already as good as condemned
But I do not choose to hang Tor the
murder of the Chaplain br1cklayers
SON"
He laughed. 1t almost sounded like
a natIraI laugh-would have done so
no doubt, to all ears except hers' tnen
he adde's dryly: 90
such a purposeless crime TOO,
Fancy being hanged for killing a
Baker, -.
luke. she said simply, you dom
seem to realize how you are hurting
mel"
one ejaculation, My God!" escaped
him then. He stood quite still, in the
shadow, and presently his hano wan
dered with the old familiar gesture
down the smooth back OF MS heao
She remained on her knees ana atteI
awhile he came back to her, and sal
down on the chair beside the desk Ma
eyes on a level with hers.
Look here. Lou" he said quietly
Il have got to go and THAT'S All apou.
II. I have got 70, do you understanu