Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-05-07

49, "a "a NtAStlls
But there were computations Of money
paid, n money divided. all in Boyd
ston's handwriting. 1 studied it and
the dates, n 1t struck me curiously
that the dates of the transactions
tailed with several county board meet
lngs. And then 1t dawned on me like
a lightning fash. I sent for Hemmin-
ger, and we compared the notes with
MS recollections of board transactions.
Why, Boydston had actually put Thad's
name after n division OF $500 between
himself and Curry! I couldn't believe
such idiocy. Then Hemminger took
the memoranda to Boydston and de-
manded an explanation, and Boydston
collapsed in his front parlor and ad-
mltted 1t. He lost his nerve completely
begged n wept for Hemminger not
TO show the memorandum allow him
to settle some way or other; and, above
all. not to tell Tanner. Hemminger
brought the notes back to me. Ever
since we've been wondering-and dis
cussing you!"
Harlan met her defiant gaze stead
fly. "Well?"
The county crowd put you in.
Boydston. in his frenzy, declared 1t
would do us no good to publish the
notes. He said the new district attor-
ney was Tanners man! Said we
couldn't get it to the grand jury with
out you."
The young man turned his serious
eyes on Hemminger. "Yes?"
Harlan" put in Janet. I'VE decided
to wait. l consulted no one. l was
AFRAID II we exposed 1t just before cleo
ton 1t would look like a roorback of
our people and would hurt Wiley some
way or other. You know to attack the
best families this way-with Tanners
money and power and the Mercury
Journal-well. we could not prove the
Facts for weeks, and 1t would look like
mere politics on our part. But YOU
she watched him coolly-"T mad I'D
my mind today I wanted to know what
you'd do when you're elected"
"Do?" He stared at her with a trace
OF anger. Janet, you ask what I'd do?
Blow the lid off-send Boydston and
Curry to the pen! Tanner, too, IL l
can get him!"
She looked off through the window
at the bank corner. TT will be a ire
mendous job, Harlan, you, q new man
wholly without experience in office,
bucking a combination that no man
here ever dared to fight. The money,
the influence, the Best People,"
He followed her glance out to the
country folk idling about the ancient
sidewalk Of the First National. Far
ther down High street, under the leaf
less naples, he could see the tidy lawns,
the prosperous houses, and then his
home. The judge was slowly driving in
from lunch behind Old Dutch. So long
he watched, so imperturbably, that she
could not guess the struggle in his
mind. Not Of right or wrong; but to
grasp issues dimly limned beyond.
ones heritage Of thought and feeling;
basic greed, the instinct to survive,
vestigial promptings from feudai
privilege to protect and exculpate-all
battled in his subconsciousness for
delay and pretext and caution.
Hemminger. the pale-eyed country
man. shuffled his feet with APP
put there"-he lifted his bony finger to
the hills-"who will be with you In the
fight. Better people"
The young man suddenly tipped his
chair forward with q smile.
Il thank you for the word, Bert" he.
Janet's eyes silently followed
him. Almost a trace Of suspicion vas
in them when Harlan placed the pa
pers in his inner pocket. He arose.
I'm going to see father. He's in mis-
chambers by now"
Janet. too. arose with a sharp pro-
test. But before she voiced 1t the door
his shirt sleeves, even though he came
from the chill November street. Jim
Minis, the News printer. stared wildly
at them.
where's no gomez Where's wiley?.'
The printer staggered to Miss
chin. his bleared yes rolled. What
a YOU done with htm7"
Whats the matter7"
He spread a damp and ink smeared
copy Of the News before her. ''There!'
he waited. h told me to run this box
on the front page! I didn't read it!
He set 1t up, he gave It to me. Me and
then started to fold the mail list, when
I first read 1t! I was drunk. that's it.
or, damn me. I'd never put the press
on It! No, sir, not even II he TOLD met
The box" enclosed a bold face type
in the center Of the sheet: For per-
Curran withdraws from he congress
sional contest In the Eighteenth dis
trict."
Nothing more.
Janet was paling to her lips. In the
pause, Harlan seized the paper.
Comet" he shouted and dashed from
the tnsm 1oo n1inte They : va i0llow sahh him; til the
guard. When he reached the News
shop he came upon Miss Vance and
Hemminger staring at the pile Of pa
pers that made up the weekly issue.
Young Van Hart was searching fever
tshly over the editors desk.
mot q word" he muttered; nothing
to explain. Has he gone crazy?"
There's his big meeting tonight
Hemminger blurted. II hear the band
boy. pracdcing. But wiley-God
A.n1ighty! has he gone wrongT"
Harlan suddenly turned on them.
That conference! He was called to
Tanners office this morning. / know,
for father was there!''
.They-they"-Janet controlled her
voice--."smashed him, Harlani Some
how. with something! Drove him out
the 5fight!~
Tho younger mar turned to Hem-
mtnger. ssBAr that door! Keep Jim
and Aleck here. And don't let = pape
80 outs,'
.sPTsss time they'll somsbody come
round" blubbered Jim. Some old
woman or some Of the old preachers
whom he alwayDs sgAvo papers 10 for
nothing. And the kids TO carry sAm.
and The I O'Clock mail % smaee!s
Harlan . boiling the rear door.
sHenmlngef. drawsthe curtains. Don't
let ASpeFson n. don't anaWer any ques
ton You don't know anything. re-
JaA6t. threw = blank sheet . the
stool I1holf OVER the printed lnsueo Of
the NeM9. Then 6h6 turned. HARLAN.
% y0us think this Emattor Of Boydston,
9nythin4s 10 do With & -
ee0SM p9<41fl ~A.A A..