Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-06-17

He'S-he'S-"
That's just the point" said Adam
.composedly. But l can bring charges
against him, can't II"
Il don't understand you. Mr.. Carr"
"Of course can't arrest him for the
very good reason that he got wind of
my intention and skipped out-well
say today"
Eric looked his p%erplexity.
Don't O catch my m~eaning?'
asked Adam. with hi. first sign of en-
thusiasm. "Chetwynd isn't dead. Not
at all. He skipped out to avoid arrest"
Il See" murmured the other, light
breaking in on him.
II went through his pockets down
there in the cut" Went on Adam. He
had $500 in bills. He was certain that
| knew everything. Judge Bright told
enough last night to open his eyes
pretty thoroughly. He brought that
money out here to buy me off. He was
desperate, and he was willing to risk
discovery at the bank in order to get
me off his back, SO to speak. So, you
see, all this makes it very simple for
US. When l &c in tomorrow to Gus
him of the crime, he won't be there.
His father will say that he hasn't been
at home since noon today. Then, I'll
tell him why. He has vamosed, that's
all there is to It,"
He leaned back and studied his
young friends face once more, his
time being relieved to see signs of
hope and credulity there.
oh, if | can only keep them from
finding out" said Eric, in agitated,
eager tones, II don't want to go to
if We can do it, You ear do your part,
l know, but can l face them? IL
never told a lie in my life
You won't have to tell one now.
You keep your lips closed. Don't
breathe a word to a soul-never. so
long as you live, my boy"
But l will AVE to sit by and join
in the talk about him at home
The won't be much said about
him at home, I'll promise you that. His
name won't be mentioned there"
But how will Uncle Horace explain
his disappearance? You forget that"
Il intend to explain it, said Adam
grimly. Il have all my proof in hand.
The story goes to the newspapers to-
morrow-all of it,"
oh, you can't do that 1t would
kill Uncle Horace Eric was gem
timely grieved.
Horace Blagden hasn't enough
money, all told, to buy my silence. I've
waited years for the nance to strike
stay the blow-nothing!"
Eric watched his ~convulsed face in
a sort of stupefaction for a few mo-
ments, Then his mind abruptly re-
turned to his own affairs.
They will find the body he half
whispered.
Il will attend to that. No one will
ever see that body after II O'Clock to-
night. unless the sea dries up and
leaves its bottom bare. No, my boy,
ChetWynd's nalne will never be men
toned by his father after tomorrow. AS
for you, YOU won't have any choice in
the matter. Iour uncle will give YOU
your orders. No one will be allowed
10 mention his name in his home. or in
his presence if he can prevent ii. That's
how he will take it. I'm sorry for one
thing, Eric, but | won't hold it as a
@ludS" against GU. You deprived me
of the JOY of putting thai young
scoundrei where he belongs-be-
hind the bars. ! have said to
can't do that now, but i will bury him
somewhere else
.Aou-you are a hard man, Mr.. Carr.
dldn't believe any man could be so
bitter. so hard"
WI wont talk about that. if you
please said the other coidly. You
can thank your lucky stars that [ am
a hard man, and that am your friend.
You'd be in a devil of a mess. if were
not just what l am. Now, here are YOU
books and papers. ! picked 'em up for
you. Take them n go as if nothing
had happened
Il cam do it. I'll dream of him all
the rest Of
Rubbish! You're young and you'll
sleep a long sight better than you
would If you We're in a cell, waiting
for the hangnan's moose. You have not
committed murder. Bear that in mind
always. 1t was an accident. Can't you
say that to yourself, over and over
again? You know it is true. Time viii.
do the rest for you. Now, get along
home" The man arose and imperious-
ly m%otioned for his companion to be OF
down the slope.
Eric hesitated. "What-what are yor
going to do'"
II am going to walk part way with
you
And leave-leave it there %alone?"
oh, it won't run away" said Adam
Besides, you forget it isn't there. It.
on the way to New York to meet Bun.
ME De Winnie"
1t was grim humor. The speake,
himself chuckled over it, and Eric, il
a sort of hysterical terror. Joined il
with a harsh. staccato laugh that wa!
cut shor by the sharp of hi
conscience.
AS they came out upon the bridge
Adam Carr Srasi,cd his companion b,
the arm and hurried him across. as j
there We're devils and witches behint
them.
Il did that to keep YOU from lookin;
down into the ravine,' he announced
in response to the look of amazemen
in Eric's eyes.
They walked rapidly down the mar
row, fast d~arkening road, between som
Der rocks and shaggy b~rushwood, with
ont so much as a single look backward
Neither spoke for a long time. A
last Adam Carr broke the silence b,
remarking, in the most casual way:
Il left the 500 in his pocket"
Eric looked up from the road, whicI
he had been covering with long. rigi'
strides. I'm glad of that, Mr.. Carr"
He stole it, but that's no reason VIII.
! should steal it from him. l guess tn
bank won't go to the wall If it neve
) gets back"
No, L guess not" said Eric mechan
ically.
h sky grew darker. Long. thi
2 shadows from the slope above advance
to meet them as they strobe into tn
falling dusk, shadows that seemed I
point %eternally backward over tn
\ shoulder of the wretched boy, as If tell
e Ing him OF the long. black road tina
t Chetwynd's ghost was traversing i
| the painful effort to catch up to hin
4 crushed and mangled, but still revenge
full.