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

%
double life--a 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
often by Wiley Curran that they had
picture of him dumfounded, crushed to
earth.
Not deny the matterw Tanner
looked up sharply.
No"
You dare admit it?"
Il do not admit it. But, gentlemen,
1 will tell you this: You 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
chairman's face.
Go ahead with your story!" He
whirled OF Ransdell of the Mercury
Journal. Il know what you We're
brought here for. Go on-spring that
damned story tomorrow in your sheet
scatter it over h county. And you"
he faced Boydston-"Tve called you
a thief for six years and you've never
had the nerve to come to my office
Rice-a poor dog who rattles his chain
when the boss speaks! And you,
Judge Van Hart, I'm surprised at you,
a good man. Yes, a good mantle
most pitiable object in American life
today-a good man who stands for
~ l@,, .~,f- l,~ W., -r- IL -
pack of matchmaking liars
Ransdell was on his feet furiously.
Bodyston growled hoarsely. Judge
Van Hart arose, paling to the lips. But
quicker than all, Thad Tanner was on
his feet and between them.
Gentlemen. Be still! This heat
this is uncalled for"
Il refuse to withdraw! I call your
bluff! I'll print h a story myself. The
story of my life-all of 1.-THE least Of
it. And with hat story I'll go before
the people of his district and say that
I was summoned here and black
mailed. That you bought this story of
out of public life. You, who profess to
guard the morals of this community!
I'll publish today-press day-my
story. 1t shall have all your names
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 v%illainous awful past
force INC bride me out of politics.
That shall be my story"
Cal Rice. of the Presbyterian
church. muttered. Boydston moved in
a jellyfish way. Judge a Hart hast
lily reached for his hat. Gentlemen
here for this. I beg Of youths voice
failed him-'let me withdraw-let me
| withdraw"
Curran's grim smile was on him.
your honor, it is no place for you"
"a moment Thad raped the
table. Let US have this clear. You re
fuse to withdraw"
Il do. Tell your story. I'll tell mine.
Yes, tonight-at my meeting-here
among my home people. Let any mar
Of you arise tonight and accuse me
I'll admit it. And by God. FL. ask
the people what manner of men you
are. I'll appeal to them-their sym
pathy, their hearts, their reason-with
just a story of my youth-a story that
might have been any IA The peo-
ple-the great honest heart of the peo-
Pile"
Thad was smiling coldly. But a
curious admiration was in his eyes. He
lifted his hand Gentlemen, he defes
us!"
Il defy you"
The little gray BOSS smiled on
Cal Rice was ringing his hands
Boydston vas wriggling %uneasily
red faced, frightened. Judge Van Hart
was already in the doorway, lifting his
hat with a gesture Of deprecating de-
spair.
"A moment" Thad waved them to
the door. II shall ask you to withdraw
gentlemen. And say nothing of this
nothing whatever. l thillk"-his voice
was not ingratingly friendly-"that Mr.
Curran will withdraw. We will dis:
cuss the matter" He waved them on
with his subtle authority. Eth. Judge
The rest of you?'-he smiled and
rubbed his white hands-"weil, I car
assure you that Mr.. Curran will with
draw! He will see the wisdom-the
urgent need-I assure you"
They stared, astonished. The Earl
vile editor was protesting as he arose
MI. Tanner. O assured me the Mer-
cury-Journal-"
THE Journal will get it's scoop. MT
Curran. even, will agree to that"
The others were leaving. Wiley stood
alone watching the small figure under
the table light. At crises there was
a sort of dignity about Thaddeus Tan
ner. The indomitable will. the intu-
tive reading of men, the assumption
Of authority-he was worthy of his
power. Even Curran felt the little boss
way with men as this slow scrutiny
enveloped him. When he looked a,
Thad. after the going Of the others
the mask-like face was smiling-ant
that smile. some way struck a curious
fear to his heart.
His calm dry tom heightened the
impression. you still refuse to resign
Mr.. Curran?"
II do. We will submit it to the PEG.
pie. Their good sense. their honesty
their charity"
The little boss sat down across from
him INC sighed. Let us pass that by
l admit admiring the fight you've made
I've formed a different opinion Of yo,
the last six months. Curran. And to.
night-well, I don't mind saying tina
threw up the sponge. We couldn't bea'
you've thought it for weeks"
"Well?" Mr.. Curran was almos
ashamed Of his ungracious note.
"Nevertheless"-the boss rubbed hi
thin hands-"you will resign"
Il told you no."
Yes. but you WILL
The white old hand was raised t,
point at him.. And from that instan
Curran felt the ground slip beneath
him. He glanced at Judge Van Hart
standing pallid. oppressed. by the win