The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER xx-tcoNTINUEDl


IL was still early and he was doubtless
there In consultation with PayBon, who
was not 10 return to New York until
late In the afternoon.
Go. my dear" said her aunt. lose
no time. 1t 10 most imperative"
An Tor Eric, we know that he did
not 60 to the Widow Payson's.
With Judge Bright he entered the
county court house at 10 o'clock. They
had gone to the office Of the lawyer in
Bank street, only to be told by the
clark that Mr.. Gates unexpectedly had
been called to the sherifrs office few
minutes earlier. He did not know the
nature OF the business, but It was inn
portant, an his superior had departed
Ia haste.
AS they walked down the corridor
they were met by the editor OF the
Courier, who came up from the other
entrance, quite o6t Of breath and Wis
IDLY excited
Hello" he said. Being an editor, he
was on familiar terms with everyone,
great and small. A justice Of the SUI
preue court possessed no terrors Cor
him. Morning, Judge. Well, well,
Eric, lot me congratulate you. Great
piece Of news. All In type by this time,
"COngratulate7 gasped Eric.
Typof" calculated Judge Bright
Sure. Your uncle released 1t by
phone 10 minutes ago. and told me 10
cot over here - quickly as could.
Corinth viii turn over In its grave
when Il sees the Courier this evening.
Great gunsI Think Of q library build
ing bigger than the new paper mill
and straw board works combined
Why, it'a--" r5 ..~
Krtc's bitter laugh stopped him.
II fancy, Cooper. you'n have an
other bit OF news that will surprise
vpu," said Judge Bright. ~"
Not the wedding announcement
CAPPED Cooper, showing how the wind
aThAt comes later on: said the
Judge.
well well, III do congratulate
you." said the editor, sticking out his
hand once more. But Eric's eyes were
On Gho door OF the sheriff's office and
he did not see the ink stained fingers.
In the private office, judge" said
the lone deputy In the front office.
~Waitin' for Eric In there. Hare you,
Eric7 What's up?''
Mr. Cooper was following the pair
into the private Office when the deputy
called out to him:
Private. Joe. Can't 20 In yet"
I've been sent tor" retorted Coop
''set down. They'll send again, ]
guess," said the deputy succinctly.
There were three men In the private
office, all standing. Judge Bright closed
the door. Mr.. Gates, the lawyer, stood
beside the table, confronting the sheriff
and the states attorney. The latter
evidently had been reading aloud the
document which he held In his hand.
The sheriff, a fat little man with chin
whiskers. was looking over the others
shoulder as the newcomers entered. He
Immediately turned to them, betrayinR
considerable excitement
$50 here YOU are, Midthorne," he
greeted, stepping forward. Glad ia
see you. How are you this morning
Morning, Judge. Well" he affected q
long to fix II all up. This Is the states
attorney, Mr.. Midthorne. Reckon you
know Mr.. Gates. He IL to represent
you. / believe. Course, l suppose, 70
be quite regular, should put you I'M
der arrest. Mr.. Midthorne. But what's
the use going over all that? We un-
dergtand each other, / reckon, So
But / do not understand" cried Eric
an astonishment. How do you happen
20 know what ara here for? How one
knows except"
'tOh. Mr.. Blagden's upstairs In the
court room now, waiting for u.s." ex-
planned the sheriff. Got the bond all
ready to be signed and everything. So,
don't worry. Mr.. Collins here has got
the affidavit drawn-On Information
and belief. amt it?-and as long AZ
you're satisfied 20 give yourself up, II
won't be necessary for me TO have a
warrant Course, the affidavit viii have
to be read, and all that, but 1t won't
take long"
NY uncle has been here?' gasped
Eric. recovering from his surprise.
- hua q
tended to everything, Mr.. Midthorne,
You may leave IL all In my hands. j
think we will have no difficulty In Sc
curing q speedy trial. You-but we
will discuss the matter later In my
office" He waved his hand in the
direction OF the states attorney, smiling
blandly. You see, we can't afford tC
play into the hands OF the enemy"
Completely ~dazed. Eric followed the
men out of the office and up the broad
steps to the court room. Mr.. Cooper
took IL upon himself to walk beside the
young man.
whats up?" he whispered eagerly.
whats going on? Put a fellow next
Eric. The--old geezer upstairs isn't
thinking Of divorce, is hep
Good heaven, MOI" exclaimed Eric,
He liked Joe Cooper. wait a few min
utes. can't tell you now" ~,
The court room was quite empty, ex-
eept for the presence OF long figure
seated inside, the railing. quite close
20 the bench. and two bailtffs who con-
verSed lazily at one OF the windows
overlooking Main street
Despite its deserted appearance, court
was In session. The judge leaned for
ward to converse In subdued tones with
the man below. He looked up an the
group came through the swinging doors,
and settled back In his chair to4 COM
pose himself for that typical exposition
OF judicial indifference that never fails
to create In the mind OF the layman
doubt as to whether the court Is asleep
or awake, or merely thinking OF some
thing entirely foreign to the cause be-
fore him. And just when you think he
10 sleeping the soundest, he starts w
and says something so pertinent that
you know he has been listening all the
time. Only II does make one drowsy to
watch the half recumbent court on a
warm day late In the April term. You
wonder II he, too. isn't thinking of
meadow larks. "
Eric, a trifle dazed and bewildered,
stopped Just inside the rail, while tina
others went forward that Is to say.
with the single exception OF the sheriff,
who after several Ieisurely strides, be-