Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-04-30

thing eve contemplated by me. He
appeared to be a most improbable clue
to q theory of his own. A trinket from
a chlld's necklace
Necklace?" Curran stared wonder.
ing.y:
y imagine a necklace. At n rate,
TINS and from the open drawer of the
table Ihad held up a silver cross.
The other man did not answer. His
mlno was cropping back. The silver
cross hung under the light and all about
nnisls OF darkness gathered. Even
hau voice seemed like a distant ben,
50 swept away was Curran's 'percep-
tlon OF time and place.
"A silver cross which Ladeau toolv
70 an old silversmith he knew in New
orieahs. An eccentric fellow. it seems,
VINO, OUT OF vanity. used to keep an ac-
count OF all the stuff he manufactured.
He marked them all. and from him La
oeau learned exactly to whom this was
y 1t was bought by this Madame
aIlolS and given to your child"
Curran leaped to seize the thing un-
aeI .ne light. Tanner. what are you
gettlns at? By God, this was stolen
strom's!" iN
ESaGIiy. 1t belonged to this girl
And still the man before him CROPPED
at the unbelievable. His clutch about
the silver cross frightened. He STUN
PIED onward and, as Tanner tepped
back. sank in the boss chair.
DO o believe me?"
Curfan did not answer. Then he
whlrled up. No, you lie! This cross
VIA, is II? There might be 100 like It'll"
1dDncr S"i1nH n cyoiS IL 4
the desk button. II had arranged
Things with some care did not wish
70 nave this affair balk on me. And
there was no actual need Of more than
you ana me to settle 1t. Sony wit.
Curran was aware that the door had
opened. He looked to see old Michigan
there his hat off. his eyes staring Won
derlngly out of his white beard. He
stumped noiselessly across Thad Tan
ner's rugs.
"Mr Wiley-the old rebel turned hurt
scared eyes upon his friend-'T didn't
NAM Nan TO come hyar. but they had me
ny sherltr and the district attorney
ana the 1udge-they could done sent
me to Jail for 100 years on all my whis-
Ky paroles if l hadn't come. But Pd
a-gone for YOU, Mr.. Curran. If yo,,,d
been helped! But this is truth-and
I'm gladi" ano
Iiau Curran Telt the old rough
sansas .iosins owe MS own, keeping his
senses to reason. Uncle Michi"
Their" ~ Nouiio her Ia
from his chair the gray boss smiled.
content that the drama acted out IT,.
seiI without word from him.
.1 l'aaeau done it" went on Michigan.
f ne Just put 1t all together when he
round that little cross and chain +
told him all knew of Aurelie inst oa
I've told everybody. And he new vo,,,S
mao a child down there. And he knaH,
snis very little cross was given to her
ny some Old woman-and then he toolr
rue whole story to Mr.. Tanner, and
t haihler sent him south. and he found
M Wi, ersinlth-and It was all true!
WI whey, the same little girl I done
prlng up-rtver was the same one tbav
put IN the Holy Family asvl,,n,N naH
little girl, Mr. Wtley." your
r gun the father had no word Tb.d
Ianne wiped his glasses. He s,phad.
~ ali.sht nave been sympathy for the
dunb man under the light. .Iudga W.
Hart had rested his head unon Ihaiaa
hand. Ihad murmured. after the na,,sa.
i mink, my friends, the case Is
II think" whispered Michigan. "that
you'll be glad for her" ""0'
ae Siao lor her! Curran reached out
~ . lldIll Glad for hart
ne had been glad for her, and She had
led MIN on, found for him the gold nf
mans work. a wor1d of
achievement, a life-a soul! Now The
phantoms We're dissolving. For her hs
Mas cailed to give them UP Even
his renunciation. e"As
= think, Mr.. Curran, you will with
draw. YOU daughter, grown to WON
anhood here; her success. her ennd
hame-everything, points to your resip-
nation; Ladeau is bought to silence
NO other soul, except the persons in
Inns room, Knows the real facts. And
We lie glanced at Judge Van Hart
can keep our counsel. But the price
Surran, is this. / have had a name,
drawn up-your announcement al
withdrawal. 1t merely states that fo,
responsibilities and personal-you
VIII not contest the election In the
Eishteenth congressional district to-
The man before him muttered. "rhe
meeting the ballots :
my name-'
The little boss shrugged. TT does
not matter. You withdraw-tonight. II
VIII be telegraphed to every precinct in
u distrlst. No word of explanation
cut OF a measureless pit to Curran's
brain. Your daughter, Curran. MOI
to save yourself, remember. But her
your child, who grew up beside yor
here all unknown"
The tumble Of a paper came to Cur.
rams hand. He saw 1t under the glare
of the light above the table. Dig,
words, typewritten-he could not tell Of
what. Only he must r%enounce. The
splendid structure Of his new self, his
worth, his power, his life, had fallen
It was the. price of youths adventure
He would pay.