Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-08-19
cHAPTER xv-<continued.>

by the way" interrupted his uncle
calmly. I'D like you to keep it a secret
for a day or two. The deeds are being
prepared by Mr.. Graves. Tomorrow
perhaps, I'll give it to the Courier. I
believe newspaper men would call it
rate. we'll supply the paper with
editorial food for a month of more. Ell!
Blagden breakfast food. eh?"
He clapped the bewildered Midthorne
on the back n laughed his driest
cackle. He was the same old Horace.
after all.-the same old egoist.
Il can't believe it." Eric,
forgetting his own oubles in the face
OF this stupendous philanthropy that
was to hang over the heads of the Cor
tnthians till he rack Of doom.
You'll see, my boy, you'll see," said
his uncle. Come over this evening
and We'll discuss the plans. 1 have an
Idea or two myself, and so has your
aunt. You may be interested to know
that l purpose making Presbrey the
librarian in CHARGE"
Again Eric stared. why, I thought
Il dare say he'll try to decline the
honor at first" said Horace blandly,
but we shan't accept no from n man
70 Tar as this undertaking is concerned.
On, by the way, will Mary com to
church on Sunday?"
Yes" said Eric. Are you sure you
want me to undertake a job as huge
Ns-"
mo one else will be considered" said
Horace with finality.
They had come to the stairway lead
ING up to the editorial rooms OF the
Cornith Courier. With a grave bow to
Eric. MI. Blagden turned to mount
them, first glancing up at the window
from which the publisher vas peering.
II thinks I'm coming for the rent"
4 ~ - -1-,, -S~J
In a maze Of mingled wonder and
distress, Eric made his way homeward.
He was filled with wonder over his
uncle's amazing act of generosity, dis
tressed over the new complication that
was about to be forced upon him. Out
Of the maze came a sharp, cruel revela-
tion OF Horace Blagden's true motive in
giving this great editlce to the city of
Corinth. 1t was not for the sake of
the name Of Blagden alone. but as a
penance to his w disturbed con-
science.
1t was his way of measuring expia-
tton.
But how utterly impossible it would
be for Eric to accept this tribute! His
heart was full. He understood his
uncle, and he pitied him. The great
man OF Cornith vas striving to right a
wrong that now seemed trivial to the
young a Compensation; that was
all 1t meant to Horace Blagden-a
splendid recompense. He could think
OF no other way to pay so handsomely
as this. The world would never know
tho true meaning of the gift to Cor
NTH. yet he would be square with it.
There was something truly pathetic in
his method; pathetic because his own
self qualification vas a secondary con-
dition despite all outward appearances.
AS Eric entered his own little door
yard, the passive resolution that has
been gently Juggling at his conscience
for years leaped into violent protest
against further suppression. The time
had come when he could no longer
maintain silence. The truth would
nave to be told.
He could no longer watch the suf-
fering of those silent. harassed par
ents. He could not accept favors from
them. knowing all hat he knew. He
would have to tell.
First Of all, he must have it out with
Adam Carr. With this thought in mind
he was about to retrace his steps to-
ward the square in quest of the detec-
tive. when Mary's voice called to him
from the window Of their cottage.
He hesitated. The voice of his sis
ter had a strange effect on his new
mean to her? Suppose that Adam Carr
turned against him; suppose that his
friend denied him in order to protect
himself from the wrath of Horace
Blagden?
These thoughts were racing through
his brain when Mary came out upon
the doorstep and called to him:
Eric. don't go away. Mr.. Carr is
waiting here to see you. He has heard
that Chetwynd is in Rio Janerio
and"
With a mad cry. Eric dashed up the
walk, sweeping her aside as he crossed
the porch. The next instant, he stood
IN the little sitting room, facing Adam
Carr, with blazing eyes and quivering
lips.