The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-10-25

"IIow do YOU know" snarl-
ed Braddock. &c and do
what | told YOU" to the wavering at
tendant
Mrs. Braddock and Christine were
standing beside the detected boy, the
former looking steadily at the face of
her husband, whose b.oodshot eye,
would not meet her gaze. Christine,s
eyes were wide with the bewiidere3
stare of an intelligence that has sud
denly been aroused to g aspects.
She was having 4 glimpse of a side
to her fathers character that had hey
or been revealed to her before.
She put forth a hand and drew Ruby
Noakes close beside her. pressing her
hand tightly in actual alarm. The
NoakeS girls arm went around the
slender figure, but she continued to
stare curiously at the face OF the
stranger in their midst. She was half
Il head taller than Christine and at
least three years her senior.
we ought to have a new clown TO
help ont dad. Mr.. Braddock." ventured
Miss NOakeS cOolly.
Braddock stared at her.
"What's that?' he parked.
Keep still, Ruby" cautioned her
father. Ruby's lips parted quickly,
and then. thinking better of 1t. she
closed them.
David's face took on Il queer, uncer-
tain expression while Braddock was
advancing his dire need of money as
IN excuse for turning him over. The
proprietor resumed his bitter harangue
against the weather. The boys face
began TO clear. An eager, excited
CLEAN came into his eyes. He looked
about him as if searching for some
sign Of confederation in the faces OF
the performers.
"lf he's innocent. he can prove it."
argued Braddock stubbornly. "The
county pays the five hundred. It's
nothing out of his pocket. Why the
devil shouldn't | get it,"
David had opened his lips two or
three times to utter the words that
surged up from his anxious. despairing
heart. A sense o. guilt and shame had
checked them on each occasion. What
w it was that he felt impelled to
say. bis honest pride reballed against
the impulse.
Now he lifted his bead resolutely.
and addressed the proprietor. whose
stand appeared to be immovable.
Il will pay o the $780, said David
clearly.
Every eye was turned upon him.
every tongue was stille1.
The proprietor blinked. unbelieving-
ly Then he gavc vent to a short.
derisive laugh.
You will. ~ill your
II thought thai if it was only the
money. | could let you have it. l
didn't mean to try to buy you off"
the boy explained hastily.
Are you in earnest:" demanded
R'cddock. a curious glitter swimming
across his eyes. Where are Won go
ing to get it,"
"Tve got it with me-" said David.
feeling at his side. 4 look of dismay
spread over his face. 1t was quickly
dispelled by the recollection that his
" clothes werr lying in the mems
dressing room. Its in my vest" He
was back In a moment CARRYING his
rainsoaked waistcoat. With nervous
fingers he drew a heavy pin from the
mouth Of the inside pocket and ex-
tracted a long leather purse tied with
q heavy piece of string.
David felt without seeing the TOOL,
that went through the crowd lie
knev by som strange mental process
that they were concerning him. that
they were drawing away from him
He was bewildered Then suddenly ne
unde stood. = came like !, blow
Something rushed up into his throu,
and cnokel HIM ihry took this mon
ey to he the profits Of murlpr-thp
spoils of II dreadful sin s;peech.ess
be turned to Mrs I,radslock Their.
was no mistakin1 the look Of pain anu
distress IN her dark eyes There wcr.
doubt and wonder t..erp too
1T is my ~muney-evcry cent Of it |
Il know what YOU are thinking You
think | stole it," His eyes were flash
ing. and his chin WAS held high nUw.
-yu kill aiy II who says | steal. Id