Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-05-14
CHAPTER XXIII-(Continued).

lie id1OS. oO1lleIlllS like a whispered
cry came from him when Janet moved
toward he door. When her fingers
We're on the knob, his voice arrested
her.
Don't go. Janet! In Gods name let
me think! Aurelie-Aurelie!"
The father was staring at him in his
turn. 1t seemed to the woman that the
to touch his boys arm and could not,
his hand dropped uselessly.
My son." he quavered. what do
you mean? Aurelie? His child-and
your"
The other man raised his head. II
love her-that is ALL"
He arose, and faced them. "Know it
forced its way between set teeth. And
Wiley-God help Wiley! 1 understand!
I'm going to him-going-going!"
He found his hat and was rushing
to the door when Janet stopped him.
Wait! l want you. Harlan"
I'm going to Wiley. They beat him
down with this! His life's ambition,
his hope-he renowned it all for her!
I see that. Janet!"
Yes. But here-you can save him!"
Save him?"
Does he want the truth known? Do
LAM"
He stopped. The judge raised his
his hand disp~assionately. Janet hur-
ner's out there saw him when 1
came in, talking with the sheriff. In
the corridor! Bring him!"
Harlan stared. I'll kill him!" he
muttered. Then she saw a light break
on his face. He was gone.
Ihey stood face to face. Janet and
the magistrate. when Harlan returned.
They had not spoken. The Judge APP
peared unnerved at last. Tanner put
a curious face in the door. When Har-
Ian closed it behind him. he started in
a grinning trepidation. The younger
man motioned him to the table. He
laid upon it the pages from Boydson's
boss and quietly, as if beginning an
address to a jury, he spoke:
IN a year ago. o paid
Dan Boydson $3.50 to be divided with
Curry and another supervisor for put
ting through the contract you got for
building The Broad creek bridge. On
April 2 Of this yea you paid Boydson
$500 to secure the road contracts in
district six-and in June you paid him
$5Uo to award your the Sin
a creek dam work. And before
a he glanced over the slips, you
nave bribed two. and possibly three,
of the board, for the last seven Years
S00 oAAA VI h5C WOlhl lCI WleTe
the county wanted it. but where it was
most profitable to you. 1 am going to
bring all these instances before the
January grand jury"
The little boss had stood hat in hand.
his cigar cooked downward, listening.
He never moved until the recital was
done. Ihen with a grimace, he tilted
the cigar. His ayes shifted to Janet
Vance.
Where did you get them facts"
d they read right?"
u amt saying anything: But where
"Boydson confessed"
The judge was staring. Tanner took
a step nearer on the rug. He adjust
ed his glasses critically.
EarlanS1 hand came down on the ia
BILE before him. Don't touch that
paper!"
Young man. I amt no ruffian. Lee
me see" He looked slowly.
"~Boydson's writing, isn't it?"
I'm no saying. I'm not talking.
Only" he looked past Janet to the
udge. VIVA the hell do you want,
young man?"
Il want o to say!"
I amt saying anything. You must
nave gone ray"
Harlan was folding over the notes
n MS pocketbook. "All right, Thad!
the first Of next month";"
n little boss took out a cigar.
Judge" he grinned, but his lips were
trembling. what the hell have we got
into?" 81
The judge suddenly burst from them
with a groan. Tanner! Don't speak
TO me-don't look at me. I tell you."
The boss watched Harlan "1
never could account for folks. For the
aay before election things are moving
Into a mighty rumpus! Look at the
Iolks IN town? I been waiting half an
hour for the boy to bring me a COW
Of the News Nop9
u retorted Harlan, lam wait
ing mere for the paper you have in
your pocket. Curran's signed with
"Eh?" The BOSS fidgeted. His ewes
~ did. Tanner, this t is da .num
This is an outrage" the Judge turned
on Harlan. MY boy. you misunder-
stand me. I knew nothing-know moth
Ing. The hate of this"-he shivered-
God, it is in my blood, our very blood.
Harlan! The dirt, the turmoil, the sen,
~sationalism of it ALL"
Father, I did not dream YOU did
You brought me up In the reverence Of
the law-its spiritual quality, It's irwin
ctble purity. Z could not dream dis.
honor OF you. But you-you hesitate.
you stand still. 1t Is not enough in a
man-not enough in a judge. The only
good is h fighting good"
What do you mean?"
I want Curran's withdrawal. de-
mand it."
He is out OF the fight. He dare
not speak tonight! His own paper is
printing his resignation!"
Give me that resignation" Harlan
advanced on Tanner. Give it to me
Or I'll take 1t from you"
h boss retreated. He looked to-
ward the door. Janet was moving to
1t. Keep off. damn you!" ne groWled.
Harlan was following him. Thad's
hand went into his coat pocket.
Keep off! Here then, make a trade.
Gil me that stuff Of Boydston's, I tell
you! I'll keep my mouth shut. II,
81 me that stuff that damn fool
wrote!!"
Welt" Harlan's grim smile came.
The little gray boss reached a tremb-
ling hand from his pocket. From the
door Janet turned. She had torn the
paper from Taner, even as Harlan was
searching for his own.
Col" she cried. "ThaSs enough.
Those notes are mine, Harlan. You
can't trade them!"
Harlan's smile deepened. With a
sweep Of his hand he hurled Taner
against the wall. You rat!" He
looked back to his father. II want you
all to listen. I am going to marry