Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-08-05
CHAPTER XIv-(Continued).

believe. | think l have some right t.
inquire why o take that attitude to
ward a man who has every honorable
intention in the world"
Honorable! Do call it honorable
to entice a young girl ava from the
home of her natural protectors, to throw
her among fast women and men, to of
Ter her wines, and to-compromAse
herr"
II have done none of these things
MT. Mldthorne, as you will discover
when you have taken the trouble tc
go beyond the accounts given by the
natural protectors you mention. This
interview promises to be painful. We
viii cut it short. My object in coming
here is to inform o that Mary has
promised to be my wife,
What! Why, you miserable"
One moment. please. She is quite
as dear to me as h is to you. l did
not ask her to leave her home. She
went of her own free will. You say
that 1 have placed her among fast
women and men. II you choose to
Judge my friends by the standards OF
Corinth. they are fast. / think, how
ever. you may have seen enough of the
world to know that a snai would be
swift in Corinth. My friends are now
her friends. They will be yours, too,
| hope. Mr.. Midthorne, and you will
have reason to be proud of them-just
as l am. IL she has ever tasted wine
In her life, | am not aware of the fact,
II her association with me has compro-
missed her, | am unable to define what
you may be pleased to call honorable
Intentions ] W you certain eXplana-
tlons. that Is all. But. by the Lord
Harry. sir. I owe you nc apologies,
either for myself or Mary. My record
is clean, my conscience clear. There is
no more for me to say. l persuaded
YOUR sister 10 grant ma tho nriVjla0a
OF seeing You first. Mr.. Midthorne. Mr..
Carr has already assured me of your
antipathy. You came here to meet me.
l thank you. My duty was plain. Your
first r~eproaches should fall on me, not
on her. l did not expect, however, to
be called an internal scoundrel. 1t is
rather unusual, isn't it?"
Eric had been staring at him intent
ly through this long, level speech. 1t
was being borne in upon him, much
against his will. that Payson was do
Ing the honorable thing, that he
had put himself in a most unenviable
position by forgetting his own dignity.
what doggedly. II can only think OF
Mary as a-well, as a child. She knows
nothing of men"
Nor do you. I fear" said Payson
cody.
What do you mean"
"A man isn't likely to Stand being
called a scoundrel with impunity."
is that a threat?"
Il leave it to you. Suppose I were
to call you an internal scoundrel, out
OF a clear sky, so to speak. Would YOU
accept it amiably?"
Eric stiffened. The blood of his ia
Their responded nobly.
Il am prepared, sir. to give you sat
isfaction."
For the first time Payson smiled.
MARY said that you would most likely
challenge me-"
Eric flushed. II give you to under
stand. sir. that his is not child's play.
You cannot treat it as a joke. 1t is
But l graciously promised her that
! would overlook all the affronts Of
this first interview. / knew just how
you would be feeling" said Payson
good humorediy.
Midthorne turned away, biting his
lips to hold back the rush Of angry
words.
You will have to admit, Eric, that
/ have done the decent
Don't call me Eric! And don't use
the word decent" snapped Eric. tits
so damned middle class. 1t shows where
you belong"
Payson's cheek burned. THAT. at
least. was uncalled for, Mr.. Midthorne.
l am a plain man, and a decent one.
even though it jars on you. But we are
wasting words. / came to ask for your
sisters hand. Am I to understand that
you mean to oppose me?"
Most assuredly. I forbid her to even
think of it."
Payson smiled. "I'm afraid you can't
control her thoughts. She has out
grown you. Mr.. Midthorne. You seem
TO forget that she is a woman. I have
no sister. but I believe I can in a meas
ure appreciate the shock you have ex-
perienced in suddenly learning that
your sister is no longer a child in pin
azores, but a grown woman, with q.
Woman's heart and body and a wom-
ans capacity to love a man because he
Is q man. She adores you, she will be
guided by what you advise, but He
stopped and shook his head slowly.
h will drop you like a hot poker,
Payson. when I've told her a few things
u know" said Eric. feeling that he
was getting very much the worst OF It
and growing vindictive in
you mind telling those things
to me?' demanded Payson, a hard gilt
ter in his eyes.
They're between Mary and me, that
Is all I've got to say.
DO o think o are meeting me
1T doesn't in the least matter"
Very well. The interview is at an
end. I may as well tell you, however.
that 1 intend to marry your sister"
Well see about that grated Eric.
Payson bowed very stiffly and turned
to walk away After taking a few
steps, he whirled impulsively, a plead
Ing look in his eyes. His voice rang
with an honest appeal to the others
fairness.
See here, Eric. can't we be friends?
What have I done that you should treat
me In this manner? / don't want to
go back to Mary with the sting OF her
brothers hatred hurting me, knowing
that I've got to 60 on loving her
while"
In the first place." interrupted Eric,
you want to get YOU hands on her
little fortune. "a You
Stop right there! I wish to serve
notice on you and your Uncle Horace
that when I become Mary's husband
It will devolye upon me to look after
all of her affairs. If you think I'm
the sort OF ma who win consent to
the espionage of a-well. / won't say
IT. He's your uncle. But take this
from me: I'll handle Mary's property
And sink every dollar OF it In some
swild-cat speculation OF yours. know
the kind" sneered Eric.
Il am not q speculator." said Pay
SON quietly.
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