The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-09-09
make. I'm going to give 1t to the world
tomorrow, but you shall have It first Of

~>

I'LL" HtFTdE#U .9sAa1.soI
Back in the little dining room the
single NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. was laying the
table. With the opening and closing
OF the kitchen door there came subtly
into the front part Of the house the
rragran aropna of boiling coffee.
"A confession?" demanded Payson,
all at sea over the riotous turn his
emotions had taken. What car you
nave to confesS?"s
The door of the hall opened sud-
denly. Mary stood before them, look
Ing from one to the other with dark,
questioning eyes. She had heard the
last few words Of Eric's speech from
behind the partly opened door, as she
paused there for a final touch to her
of pink enveloped her slender figure.
He has nc confession to make" she
protested shrilly. go away, Jack,
please go away. I must talk with him
| alone.'
Both men started forward, actuated
by totally different impulses.
I'll go, Mary, if you ask it Of" be-
gan one, with an eloquent tenderness
in his voice. He felt rather than I'M
derstood the gravity Of the situation.
"Wait!" demonstrated the other. ITS
only fair to Jack, Mary. I've asked him
to stay. But 1t must be settled before
hand, whether he is with me or against
me. Please go back TO your room, dear,
until I've"
NO." she said firmly, advancing into
the room. Jack, dear, If you love me,
go!"
in plain distress.
"If he really loves you, he'll stay and
heal what I have to say. That will be
the test" said Eric.
"Will you go, Jack?" she pleaded,
coming up to him and putting her
hands on his arms.
Certainly" he said.
Eric, in dumb wonder. watched him
slip into the storm coat he had dis
carded the moment before. He offered
no further resistance to his departure,
but seemed literally to shrink into the
background, although, in plain truth,
he did not move an inch from the spot
On which he stood.
II Mary walked to the door with her
lover. There he turned and put his
strong hands on her shoulders. He
made no vulgar display Of his love; and
it was a great, masterfulr love. His
5 eyes alone caressed her.
! sIll come tomorrow, Mary. What
ever it is that distresses you-and Eric,
!, too--thresh it all out tonight. It's bet
1 ter that you should Then, dear heart,
when 1 come tomorrow I shall be able
to help you. Ask anything of me. l
l am your slave. Good night. Good
night, Eric"
He passed out into the night, gently
e closing the door behind him.. For a
t moment she stood where he left her,
E stared dumbly at the closed door. The
sound Of his footsteps crossing TIE
porch came to her. then the brisk
tread On the gravel walk.
She put her arms against the dool
and laid her head upon them, ourylns
: her face. Fol a long time she held MS
rather tragic position. There was nc
sound in the room. Eric was watching
o her inertly. The maid Of all WorF
dropped a knife on the dining room
d floor. They did not hear 1T strike.
At last she raised her face, looking
straight aoove her, as If to heaven
" After a moment, she turned to ne!
brother.
you must change your clothes
Erie. Dinner will be ready in a few
d minutes" she said wearily..
you've just got to be happy n
cried from the very depths of his tor
tured soul MY poor, ittl
TX Mary" ,,,
to Hours afterward, they sat before tn
CHEEKY fireplace, silent, reflective, ce
lie pressed. 1t had been a sorry meal, tina
ly dinner of theirs. The garrulous NeN
ENGLAND servant, old for her years
IA winch WclS u VI oiASA
as go in old New England-gave up all Ell
in forts to draw the master and mistres
ut into conversation. Never before, IN a
Of her time as "help," had she failed S
II, utterly to inspire commandments
ur 1t certainly was unsetting. Her nam
lie was Lizzie-a New England Lizzie, g
IL, that. An Elizabeth by any other nam
= would have smelled a rat.
~, No word a passed between brothe
and sister for the matter OF an not
or more. Her land lay clasped In n
on the arm of the chair he OCCUPIES
n. Their thoughts were their own. 81
had kissed him when he n
decision to put no obstacle IN the wa
of ohn Payson's courtsh1p.
so Suddenly there came a rapplng
II. the door, a gentle, measured tapp1r
nd that rose distinct above the bolstero'
'rt bedlam of the winds.
A sort Of terror took mold or laei
The hand clasp frightened. their ey'
ne grew wide with wonder and alarr
They waited. staring into each other
ewes. motionless in the chairs, the
hearts humping loudly; waited for u
gy ghostly sound to be repeated. ERIC
w, ears. strangely enough. were stralnt
to catch the sounu OIL d wen ei
gu bered laugh.
Again the tapping, still gentle but
ng uttie more imperative. They Gurn'
their faces toward the door. Their ey
TO were glued to the prim White KNOB,
turned. and the door was slowly push'
~ ajar.
outlined against the bleckness beyon
A gaunt, thin figure that waited the
on for a word Of welcome from within.
eo The picture held for a minut TIL
80 Eric sprang to his feet with a cry, me
,es Of relief than surprise.
tUncle Horace!" .
g ~Involuntarily Mary glanced at t
,S ~ clock on the mantelpiece. The thong
~ uppermost in her mlnd was reveal
in that significant act. What was nc
~ ace Blagden doing abroad at this tir
of night? At $3.50, and such a night
uy this! She started forward impulsive
'a "What has happened, Uncle Horace
she cried. These were the first wor
she had spoken to him in many weel
~ "May 1 come INF" asked Hora'
~; rather humbly-for him. He look
thinner, more ascetic than ever befo
in the long black raincoat and t
white kerchief that protected his thru
ne from the shril winds. His tai! +
scanned to set lower on his head; J