Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-05-01

yes. But l did not desert her-and
there was no child of this union
He spoke steadily again. Judge Van
Hart was studying him. They all
them. Even old Thad nodded appre-
ciably. Then he went on: WELL, we
need not quarrel on the issue. The
point is that we, as representatives CT
the party, of the honorable men and
good women of the communications
ask you to withdraw from the con-
gressional contest. 1t is not a pretty
tale, MIR. Curran, and we have no de-
sire to spread it broadcast. Our peo-
pie, you know how they detest a
double flea concealment-a lapse in
personal morality-the honest whole
some sense of decency in our country
people, =
Wiley had raised a hand. Wait"
he retorted. what if l do not deny
the matter?"
There was a panic. Ransdell, of the
Mercury-Journal, muttered. Boydston
glowered. They had been gibed SO
glutted their i-maginations with the
picture of him ~dumfounded, crushed to
earth.
Not deny the matter?" Tanner
looked up sharply.
No"
LOU Otlc dOIllII L
II do not admit it. But, gentlemen,
l will tell you this: o. have called
me in here in secrecy and menaced
me with this story. You have called
on me to resign under threat of this
story. And l tell you-No!"
He stepped nearer, his eyes flashing.
He struck the table before the county
claimants face.
GO ahead with your story!" He
whirled on Ransdell of the Mercury
Journal. II know what you were
brought here for! Go on-spring that
damned story tomorrow in your sheet
scatter it over the county. And you"
he faced Boydston-"Ive called you
a thief for six years and you've never
had the nerve to come to my office
and tell me I'm a liar. And you. Cal
Rice-a poor dog who rattles his chain
when h boss speaks! And you.
| Judge Van Hart, I'm surprised at you.
most pitiable object in American life
today-a good man who stands for
other mems crookedness. You are all a
pack of Matchmaking liars"
Ransdell was on his feet furiously.
Bodyston growled hoarsely. Judge
quicker han all, Thad Tanner was on
his feet and between them.
Gentlemen! BE still! This heat
this is uncalled for"
II refuse to withdraw! I call your
bluff! I'll print that story myself. The
story of my life-all of 1.-THE least OF
it. And with that story I'll go before
the people of this district and say that
1 was summoned mere and black
mailed. That you bought his story of
a hound and with it tried to force me
out of public life. You, who profess to
guard the morals of this community!
I'll publish today-press day-my
r% ~ II cho1! boUn oil NnJ1p nnnOnS-
all your SNUG respectable faces-and
in it l shall tell that you brought me
here, and for a consideration, agreed
to hush up this villainous awful past
of mine-you, the best people, tried te
force and bride me out of politics
Cal Rice. of the Presbyterian
church. muttered. Boydston moved in
a jellyfish way. Judge Van Hart hast
lily coached for his hat. "Gentlemen,'
he gasped, we were not summoned
here for this. | beg of you"-his voice
failed him-"let me wlthdraw-ie m
withdraw"
Curran's grim smile was on him
Your honor, it is no place for you"
"a moment Thad raped thu
table. LET us have this clear. You re
fuse to withdraw"
Il do. Tell your story. IN ten mine
Yes. tonight-at my meeting-her'
dIliOll III iOlliS PSOPAS. A|SS oA1y AHD
of you arise tonight and accuse m
FIJI admit it. And by God, I'll asl
the people what n of men 70,
are. I'll appeal to them-their sym
pathy, their hearts, their reason-wltl
Just a story of my youth-a story tina
might have been any mans. The PEG
ple-the great honest heart of the PEG
pie"
Thad was smiling coldly. But
curious admiration vas in his eyes. HI
lifted his hand. Gentlemen, he defie
us!"
The little gray boss smiled or
Cal Rice was ringing his hands
Boydston was wriggling uneasily
, red faced, frightened. Judge Van Har
was already in the doorway. lifting hi
hat with a gesture Of d~eprecating de
spair. !.
gentlemen. And say nothing OF this
nothing whatever. think"-his voic
! was not ingratingly friendly-'that Nj
Curran will withdraw. We will dis
cuss the matter" He waved them o
with his subtle authority. "Eh. Judg
9 The rest of you?'-he smiled an
rubbed his white hands-"well. l ca
+ assure you that Mr.. Curran will with
+ draw! He Will see the wisdom-th
urgent need assure YOU
They stared. astonished. The Earl
i Vile editor was protesting as he aros
t MIR. Tanner. you assured me the Mer
cury-Journal-'
"The journal will get its scoop. M
Curran, even, will agree to that"
The others were leaving. Wiley stoo
8 alone watching the small figure INC
q the table light. At crises there wa
e a sort of dignity about Thaddeus Tar
n ner. The indornitable will. the init
Il tive reading OF men. the asscMptic
OF authority-he was worthy Of h
power. Even Curran felt the little Dos
{? way with men as this slow scrutfr
enveloped him. When. he looked