Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-09-08
CHAPTER xv11-(Continued.)

GOOd v what are you talk.
ing about?" cried the other, in genu-
Inc Amusement.
"Never mind,' said Eric, grimly.
What else did he say about-about
me?"
That you as much as accused him
OF being my father" said Payson. with
wonderful self control.
Il didn't put 1T just that way. I as
much as accused you of being his son.
There Is a difference"
i ought to kill YOU"
"Of course, he denied you," said Eric.
Denied me? oh, l see. You mean
ne disowned me-" said Payson grimly.
I wonder at your complacency," said
the other. surveying him in no little
admiration.
1T is not the time for anger" was
the calm retort. There is too much
ut stake. have had many lessons in
self restraint. Wall street is a great
teacher and a great leveler Of personal
tanities. I've wanted to kill a good
thorne. May / ask what grounds you
have for assuming that he is my ia
ther?"
The resemblance" said Eric bluntly.
Payson was silent for a minute or
TWO. 1nvoluntarily his gaze sought the
mirror that hung on the opposite wall.
The room vas half dark.
Good God!" he exclaimed, his eyes
suddenly contracting and expanding.
He passed a hand owe his own face, as
X to see whether the movement would
be reflected in the looking glass.
"You see?" said Eric gently, a great
pity in his heart.
'It's-it's incredible! He spoke Of
the resemblance. but I had no idea 1t
was so marked. Why-why, / can see
his eyes, his nose, MIS-"
See here. jack broke in Midthorne
lmpulstvely, I'm sorry for all this. !
can't tell you how sorry I am. From
h bottom of my heart, I hope 1t can
al be cleared up satisfactorily. hope
1t 10 nothing more than q curious freak
Of nature"
Payson turned on him %furiously.
MY mother is an honest woman! She
couldn't have done the horrible thing
you are accusing her Of. Only prosti-
tutes descend to" He stopped sud-
denly.
Eric had clapped his hands to his
eyes. a deep groan breaking through
his bloodless lips.
The other understood. I'm sorry,
Eric" he muttered, forgetting his own
emotions In contemplation of his COM
spanion's sudden pain. Il forgot
Eric cut him off. his pride afiame. II
don't want your pity, or your explana-
lions. or"
Payson considerably left his side
And walked to the window. peerine out
Into the night. giving Midthorne time
20 recover himself.
After q few minutes Eric spoke.
How does he account for the re-
eeMh1ance?" he asked quietly.
Payson returned to his place on the
hearth stone. am willing. to dis
ctlss these things with you. Midthorne.
because you are Mary's brother. and
because you have a perfect right to
know who and what I am. I'd do just
40 o are doing II I had a sister and
Il was you who wanted to marry her.
70 ask Questions Of you, Just as"
And I'd tell you to go to the DEVIL"
hut" went on the other calmly, .''if
me ved you n o loved her. and 4
knew you to be an honorable. we'll
meaning chap-as you are. Eric-Td
give her over to you in a minute"
= daresay." remarked Eric bluntly.
Payson chose aFain to ignore an of
fSnsive remark. But I would ask
questions. as I said before" he went
or. They would relate to you and not
20 the people who brought you into
the -.'orld. You ask me how Adam ac-
ccs-NN for the resemblance. Well, he
doesr't attempt to do 90. He knew my
nether well. They were boys and men
e9gether. All he will say 10 that I am
& my father. and that my father was
Henry Payson. who lies out there in
tns Atlantic. That ID all I can get out
0t him. I'll confess there's an air Of
n9w.that I've looked suuarely into vonr
!00kjn9 glass. Nv own seems q little
syeoe brutal. But hesswears on his soul,
- ne loves me-and I know he does
tssat i have nothing to fear. Curiously.
he forbids me to question my
.Aha!. circulated his listener.
&T$SHA n F4WhfW VNOtn0kAA pawoon