The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-01-24
A Startling Test.

'hu Iitu' SlioutCu SoiolCi "idhN
why, he is armed to the teeth. He's
after me. He's going to kill me on
sight. | swear"
What is to prevent him from doing
so now, C%olonel?' demanded David
Mr. Braddock, are you armed?"
No" said Braddock. do you sup
pose if had a gun | would be stand
ing behind this girl?"
D you hear that, cabby? Dc you
colonel? Now, I want to say just this
to you sir. | am going to the nearest
police station and swear out a warrant
for your arrest. | can't hold o my
self, but | can do the next best thing
| can land you in Jail for attempted
murder"
David opened the cab door and o
lv motioned for Colonel Grand to step
down and enter.
Mary Braddock waited no longer.
She sped down the steps, passing the
slow moving. stupefied colonel, and
ruthlessly showed Roberta Grand to
one side. taking her stand in front OF
her husband, facing his foe.
TT is not necessary for my husband
to shield himself behind your flesh
and blood. Colonel Grand" she said
her head erect. Now, if you care TO
shoot you have both of us at your
mercy"
step lively. Colonel Grand" com
manded Jenison. Permit me, Miss
Grand"
Don't touch me-" Kissed Roberta.
disdaining his assistance. The o
she bestowed upon her father as she
passed him was not a pleasant one. He
had promised her a different reception
at the Portman home. She entered the
cab. frightened and dismayed Her
father, still grasping his pistol, cast q
defeated. almost appealing glance at
the uncompromising face of the young
man who held open the door.
you can't obtain a warrant for
me-" he said ~nervously. Il have the
law on my side. | can prove that this
man threatened"
Drive on. cabby," said David relent-
lessly.
The gritting of Tom ~Braddock's teeth
did not escape the tortured ears of his
wife. She looked up quickly. He was
glaring after the cab, a look of appaTI
ing f~erocity in his face.
Come into the house, Tom she
said quickly.
Il won't keep you long" he grated
I've got other business on hand" Y
occurred to him to tender David his
need OF praise. THAT was pretty
49,, e. ,-, n..tI ,-;, Iirr nF
like that. l owe you something for
doing that"
Braddock seemed to be studying
each successive slab of stone as he as
cended. The muscles of his jaw were
working. He seemed to have formed
a habit of jamming his hands far down
into his coat pockets.
THAT was the only chance he1E
ever have was his sententious re
mark. No other word was uttered un-
til they were inside the house. Mrs
B~raddock's gasp of relief could not
have been called a sigh.
Thank God" she breathed, sinking
upon the hall seat and clasping her
clenched hands to her breast.
Braddock shot a quick glance up the
broad stairway. The surroundings
we're strange to him-he had never
been inside the home Of his father-in-
law before-but he knew that Chris
tin was somewhere overhead.
"Hcw's Christine, Nary" he asked
roughly.
She is wretchedly unhappy, Tom"
"Umph!" was the way he received
1t, but a close observer might have
seer the futter of his eyelid and the
sharp, convulsiye movement in the
coat pocket. Il don't want her 10
see me-" he said.
She wants to see you"
He faced her angrily. Mo- I've
got to AXE care of my nerves. can't
take any chances on having EN- up
set. See here. David" he said, low
ering his voice and speaking with
deadly emphasis, that talk of yours
about swearing out a warrant for
Grand don't go, do you understand
I don't want him to be arrested. I
don't want him locked up. l want
him to be free. He'd be too safe be
hind the bars?"
The sound OF a door opening above
came to them. Christine's face ap
peared over the railing above. She
leaned far forward and called out in
the high, tense tones of extreme nerv.
BUSINESS:
Father! 1t Is you? Are you
there?"
There was no response.
The effect on Braddock was astound
ing. Signs of a great convulsion re
vealed themselves in his face. His
lips we're parted and drawn as if in
pain. His eyes were half closed,
screening the emotion that CROPPED be
hind the lids. 1t was the face, the fig
ure Of a man nightly shaken by an
unexpected emotion.
Words came hoarsely. u%nbidden
from the man's lips, spoken as II from
the bottom of his soul after years OF
.,,hiaotinn ond roctrnipt ca nnar1y