The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-08-26
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iii III I'D


He did not offer TO shake hands with
the amazed. panic stricken young man,
but walked calmly out of the door and
into the street, an omino1s figure that
filed their eyes until IL was lost be-
hind the hedges-and even longer, for
they had him In mind for many min-
utes.
They had followed him to the door.
Mary chung to her brothers rigid arm,
staring down the gray, wind-swept
street, a great and growing dread In
her lovely ewes.
what are you going to do, Eric7''
she asked DULY.
He started. and turned to look down
into her eyes, as IL suddenly aware OF
her nearness to him.
"Do?" he asked blanlSly. why, he's
gone. He's In Baxter street by this
time"
II wasn't thinking Of him." she said,
shrill note beginning TO make itself
felt In her voice. az mean about go
ing TO Uncle Horace"
IT can't believe that Adam has turned
against me-" went on Eric, as 1t stupe-
fed. But there was something ugly
in what he said. wasn't there? Tilt
was like threat. Godl 1t was a
threat"
She shivered. us this all real, Eric?
Am I having another OF those terri
BILE dreams? / am so cold. See! My
hands are like Ice. IL" ss..
He clasped her In his arms. GOD
forgive me. little sisterl I've blighted
your whole life. Why-oh, why did !
was right. He did his best to stop me.
I'm a beast, a."
Don't, ERIE don't! Oh. brother,
brother My big, good brother!"
He drew her back into the room, still
holding her In his arms. For q long
time they stood motionless and silent
in the middle OF the little parlor, dry
eyed, dry-lipped and unseeing. She
"Close the door, Erie" she muir
INJURED. Its queer how cold the air
has grown. It's off the sea. When did
the wind changer"
"Tn stir up the fire In the CRATE" he
said, with nervous haste IT'S the
dampness." He closed the door.
She watched him poke up the en-
bers and pile on the chunks or wood.
IT hadn't noticed the change" he
said mechanically. ut Is off the sea-.
Where do you suppose he has goneY'
she asked, drawing near to the crate.
He did not look up. She noted the
grayish, bloodless look of his neck
and half averted cheek.
1--WE were standing at the corner
above the Massasoit house when Uncle
Horace somehow felt his presence. That
was not more than 10 minutes before
cuse me-"
where has he gomez" she repeated
shrilly.
''See here, Mary. I'm In for something
rasty," he exclaimed, coming to his
feet and running hts hands into his
pockets once more. II don't know
what to do. II go to Uncle Horace
against me- That's plain. Somehow,
can't find 1t In my heart to blame him,
either. suppose ought to consider
his position as well as my own. On the
other hand, can't go on this way any
longer. It's unbearable. can't even
look at Uncle Horace and Aunt Rena
without cursing myself for beast.
Adam Carr has never let up on them
not for an instant He's been a devil
so far as they are concerned. should
have stopped 1t long ago"
He threw himself into a chair and
stared, wide eyed. at the cracking,
swapping logs. Mary stood at his ell
bow, looking down upon him, her eyes
full of love and pity. Presently she
laid hand on his shoulder.
ct don't believe Uncle Horace can
IOTKlVG you, BIle
"He can't forgive me for letting II
go on In the way 1t has" he groaned.
"Why, it's been hell on earth for them,
Mary
II pity them now" she said simply.
81 never can love them-never! But ]
do pity them. II there is anything I
can do, ERIE dear, to make life easier,
happier for them. shall try my best
to-"
He did not look up. but as she hes
itated he said quickly:
They don't want you to marry Jack
Payson."
.oh. Erie, can't they overcome
There's great and sufficient rea-
son for their opposition, dear. Some
thing you don't understand, but do.
Adam Cars greatest triumph over
married Jack Payson."
II don't understand" she cried, be-
wildered.
He checked tho impulse to blurt out
the horrid truth, as he took II to be-
concerning John Payson. She loved the
fellow. Why strike at heart that was
already sore ard bleeding? Why add
another cruel slash to the wounds that
perhaps were marking II for life? And
then, up from some dark, secret recess
OF his own heart. came an astonishing
throb OF pity for John Payson; q curl
Gus revolt within himself. After all,
what wrong had John Payson done?
why strike an innocent, unsuspectiiig
man In the back? Why tnflict q wound
that could never be closed2
"It's something that dates back to
the time when Payson's father was
alive" equivocated he.
He was lost at sea. Were they ene-
mies?"
81 only know that Uncle Horace
hated Jack Payson's father"
"Then why did he put Jack In the
banlx?''
wen, he got him out of It soon
enough, didn't her" demanded her
brother. hard put for explanations
She waited a moment. "There y
something you are holding back, Eric,
she said, closing here eyes. How would
you feel, dear, II were to hint that
Joan Bright Isn't what she ought TO
bar"
"Joan," he cried out. a new despair
rising In his voice. He covered his eyes
with his hand. what wiz she think
when she hears what have come tor"
IF she loves you, she will not
let anything come between" said
Mary. slowly, significantly. The
true appeal In her words was
lost on him. He walked over
to the window and stood there. star
ing blanlkly out into the little garden
For long time she kept her eyes on
his straight, tense figure. Then she
moved up closer to the fire. resting q