The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-05-06

80 NAA1 800 ~ N~g ~@AH
sat In his private office long after the
hour for closing, aimlessly lingering
the telegram he a received from his
son, but intently considering the days
report from Adam Carr. 1t vas begin
ming to enter his mind that Carr was
not competent to handle a case so baf-
fling as this appeared to be. He was
wondering II 1t would not be a wise
move to dismiss him and employ a
Boston man who, II appears, had caught
a very clever. defaulter after chasing
him for three years. But as Horace
was a prompt man In everything, he
was bound to admit that he was averse
to hiring a man who was so slow as all
that. He had talked II owe with h
cashier n three OF the directors, and
they had advised hiring the Boston
man. That was another reason why
he hesitated.
Carr's report for the day brought
nothing new to his impatient mind. The
ex-teller was behaving in a most
circumspect manner. There was nc evil
dence that he gambled, specialized, or
kept a woman In New York. Payson
had not visited New York in two years
SO far as Adam Carr could learn, and
Horace was forced to admit that If he
had a paramour at all, she must be in
New York. She couldn't be in Cor
NTH.
1H6 NelSpIOH6 OH Ills OeSk rang. he
put the receiver to his q with me-
chanical precision and said: Eyes"
The voice that came out of the little
black tube was so loud and vibrant that
his eyelids twitched with pain; he held
the receiver q little farther away. 1t al
ways annoyed him to have anyone
shout in his ear. A look of surprise
followed Immediately. Eric Midthorne
was speaking.
"Yes. 7 am atTIl berao rapliad Mr.
Blagden. What is it?' He listened
for a moment to the strident, excited
voice and then cut In with the curt re-
mark: ut isn't necessary to shout. 1
can hear you. Yes, 1 will wait
here II it Is important. But don't be
long about 1t. Come up II you must
see me-"
Three minutes later Eric burst into
room without 20 much as a tap on
the mahogany door.
Dear me, Eric, is this the way to
enter a room?" demanded Horace, in
that mild tone Of reproof that never
failed to hurt more than a sharp repri-
mand.
Eric's face was as white as chalk. He
came directly to the desk, but many
seconds elapsed before he could force
words through his twisted lips. Horace
at the boys convulsed face in
actual surprise.
Uncle Horace" began Eric hoarse-
ly, st was my drawing that took the
prize. Do you know that? 1t was my
drawing. I have just seen, It,"
Mr.. Blagden's brow darkened; his
grey eyes narrowed and seemed to turn
black as coal.
What are o saying?" he demand
ed.
Eric struck the desk a violent blow
with his clenched fist. His eyes shot
fire.
"It was nv drawingI Chetwynd stole
it,"
Horace opened his eyes very wide.
A look hat no one had ever seen in
them before grew as he stared, with
parted lips. at him who uttered those
awful words. He closed HIS lips sudden
ly to hold back the gush of ice water
that seemed to fill his mouth. He swal-
and the chill spread through
out his body. He did not realize 1t at
the moment, u afterwards he was to
h a he was experiencing the first
of a blighting fear from which
was never afterwards to be free:
the fear of Chetwynd.
In an instant, he was himself again,
q bit greyer than before perhaps, but
quite as auStere.
What do o mean, sir, by striking
my table in that manner? Try to gov
yOuA = Slg " ACdNO NAlC IOOIl. I1S
chose to resent the boys actions, rath-
er than his words. Afterwards, in an
his emotions. he came to &C
a shameful weakness in
shrinking from the real attack.
II swear, Uncle Horace, so help me
God, that the drawing sent in by Chef
Wynd is the one I made. I have never
the one that bears my name. /
never drew 1t. Oh, 1t was a dirty trick!
It was fiendish! Uncle, you've just got
10 straighten II out. He took my draw
.ng. 1 don't know how or when, but 1t
Is mine that has his name on 1t over
1t the library" -... .,' .
Tears of rage and despair filled his
eyes.
MI. Blagden had himself well in hand
this time.
you are making q very serious
charge against your cousin, Eric" he
said levelly. II cannot permit you to
90 on in this way. You"
but It is truei" cried Eric wildly.
I swear it's true!"
do not interrupt ne. Why should
believe what you sayf How could
Chetwynd have come into possession J
IF your drawing? You kept 1t under
ock n key; you presented 1t to the
with your own hands, did
not? You would hardly go so far
Is to accuse the honorable judges of
n drawing for the other.
If placing my sons name on your work
,r allowing him to do so, IL II could
gone that far"
But 1t is my drawing AND 1t has his
name on It. It wasn't there when I
the design to Mr.. Porter, the
Librarian" s.
do you consider this a sportsman
ike in which to take defeat?" I
demanded Horace sneeringly.
II don't consider It a defeat, Uncle
Horace" said Eric deliberately. My
won the prize"
Mr.. Blagden's stern gaze wavered
yer SO slightly. So
"If you placed your drawing in MI.
o~orter's hands, her what, may I ask,
Inspires you to make this deliberate
against my son? 1t isn't likely
he could have wished his name to APP
upon 1t. to have It appear there
Is If by magic. This is not the age of
Aladdin" w..
II can't understand 1t any more than
sir, but 1t is true, just the same"
'ried Eric doggedly. "Mr. Porter says
hat no one touched the drawings"
Then, will you be good enough to
ell me o Chetwynd could have done
his thing you accuse him Of doing?"
demanded Mr.. Blagden sternly.
II think IT was done before / submit
ed the drawing" said Eric.
oh" was his uncle's expressive
comment. o.
IT wrapped it up carefully and put It
n nv ORA wer fho day hafora I n~resent-