The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-09-30
cHAPTER 0K-tcontlnued-)

past her during service without 30
much as the pretence OF smile or nod.
Mary's sensitive. high strung nature re-
belled against this exhibition OF intol-
erance on the part of her old time
friend and playmate. While Eric was
gquirming In the seat, eager to be OFT,
Mary was resentfully digging up the
memory Of Joan's first sign or coldness
on by the cut direct. IT all came about
after an all night automobile trip. she
recalled, when she had taken an up
state trip In company with Jack Pay
son and a couple Of friends from New
York. 1t was of no consequences TO the
gossips, who told the tale, that Mr..
and Mrs. Bates were IN the party.
What hurt Mary most, even though
she was 10th to admit II to herself, was
the conviction that, next to Eric and
Payson, she still loved Joan Bright
better than anyone else In the world.
Therefore, she was privileged to hate
her with particular unreasona bleness.
Where Is Eric, my dear2" asked her
uncle, peering about In all directions.
She could not conceal her nervous
ness. Il think he hurried out to sec
Joan Bright. She's back from the
south. uncle" .s7
Indeed. She wasn't expected so
soon. Why did she change her plans
30 hasitly2"
I'm sure don't know"
"No, I haven't seen her." interrupted
Mary. answering the perfectly obvious
question before Il could be uttered.
Mr.. Blagden hemmed rather awk-
wardly. Probably came In last night"
ne ,, youeh s daresay Eric is is
him until--Ah. how do you do, Pres
brey. Splendid sermon. wasn't II? Good
morning. Julia"
The Presbreys. transversing the OPP
posite way, acknowledged the greet
ing with most ceremonious bow. II
did not occur to them to inform Mr.,
Blagdens that they had listened to the
sermon in the Second Congregational
church.
"a most admirable DISCOURSE" said
Mr.. Presbrey blandly. .... #
Scholarly" said his wife, as she
bestowed her sweetest smile on Mary.
$50 you are back. are you, my dear"
Yes. Mrs. Presbrey," said Mary, also
smiling sweetly,
Then their ways diverged.
A little later, Mary awoke to the fact
that her uncle was speaking, not 80
much to her as to the world In general.
Yes, am sorry for Presbrey.
suppose he realizes what an old foggy
be was toward the end. Still he was
should say he In a good Christ like
man. He can't have any bitterness Of
heart. although / daresay he-er, ahem!
deplores the fact that this new broom
10 sweeping so thoroughly. Dear me,
ne never saw q congregation so vast
as-but what am saying? Yes, yes,
am sorry for Presbrey. don't mind
saying TO you. Mary, that he has been
on my conscience not q little during
the past few months. I can't help feel
ing that took a rather unfair advan-
tage OF him at the time Of"
NONSENSE" broke In Mary. "It was
fair tight between you, Uncle Hor-
ace"
"A fair fight, my dear7 Fightf" said
Mr.. Blagden with q stare.
And he began It." she added sue
cinctly. ~. . -
Mr.. Blagden cleared his throat. "Bs
that as II may" he said hastily, IL
feel that owe him some form of repn-
ration. have quite fully decided to
put him In charge Of the new library"
Eric and Adam had turned q distant
corner. Mary breathed freely again.
"The new nbrary?" she repeated
Horace affected a dry chuckle you
win see IL all in tomorrow's Courier"
he said. 'Eric's to build IL. The hand
soonest structure outside Of Boston, II
do say II"
n1,,t don't MIX knq pyOr what you are talking
'Of course you don't. I am to talk
II over with Eric In the morning The
details"
The eager excited questions that rose
20 her lips were left unuttered. John
Payson approached from the opposite
direction. Mary's heart gave a great,
Wild throb. and then seemed to stor.
beating entirely. Her faGG was very
pale. ..r
Payson did not pause, but went by
with warm smile for her and q DO
lite bow for Horace Blagden. The smile
she gave In return was q wavering, pa
thetic effort that went straight to his
heart. He glanced over his shoulder,
and was disappointed because she con-
tinued to look rigidly ahead, instead of
turning as he had done.
Wasn't that young Payson?" de-
nnanded Horace. his Jaw setting hard.
Yes. Uncle Horace" she replied in
low voice.
silence fell between them, a chill ST.
lence that voiced their thoughts as
plainly as spoken words. She cast O
covert look at the stern face OF her I'M
Gle. A flush was In his cheek. A mo-
ment later he turned his head slightly
for brief glance at the girls profile
Her eyes were lowered. She was star
ing miserably at the brick sidewalk
which they traversed so evenly. so
steadily. Pc . D.. Ill.
Horace's lips seemed to tighten. The
veins In HIS thin grey temples stood
out like cords. Suddenly he relaxed;
his stiff shoulders sagged; a queer
set lines about his mouth, and his eyeS
grew wistful. His lips parted twice In
the effort to utter worlds that came
up from his heart, words he hated yet
longed to utter. for he knew they would
give happiness to her. Something tight
encd IN hts throat. He cast an invol-
untary glance over his shoulder A
shadow crossed his face, dIspelled an
instant later by q conquering smile
Mary, my child" he said gen
tly, II think. II you don't mind,
I will drop In at Mr.. BriEcoe's for few
minutes. He Is down with rheumatism.
but walt; will be perfectly frank
with you. John Payson is standing at
the corner back there, looking at you
as if-well fancy II / were to efface
myself he would not be long In taking
my place at your side. / believe I'll
make the experiment"
Maryis wonder changed to 10y Her
face was suddenly az radiant as the
sunshine which fell about them.
sWhy-why Uncle Horace" she be-
gan breathlessly.
He laid his hand on the gate leading
to the rheumatic Mr.. Briscoe's lawn.
Try the experiment yourself my
- ~ 6eV