Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-11-10

VI IL as CoulQ be CROWDED into the
courtroom. considerably effaced itself
as O as the verdict was given.
While the crowd was leaving the
courtroom. the judge on the bench
calmly turned t the clerk and said:
Call the next case, Mr.. Clerk"
The regular panel remained in the
jury box; the sheriff went over to the
half an hour later a dissolute sailor
from the water front was on trial for
stealing a pound OF tobacco, and the
states attorney was working his head
on. so to speak. to secure the maximum
penalty. One has to make an example
OF such chaps. o see. Society de-
mands it.
The Rev. MI. Presbrey alone came
forward to congratulate Eric, regard
less of the presence of the Blagdens or
the fitness of the occasion. With tears
in his eyes, he wrung the embarrassed
young mans hand with a vigor that
suggested something long pent-up and
thriving.
THANK you. Mr.. Presbrey," muttered
Eric, very uncomfortable.
We've been praying for you, Eric"
said MI. Presgrey; Mrs. Presbrey and
l. All. my dear young friend. you do
not know nov greatly this will please
my wife. your most devoted friend. h
is i%ndisposed today. Otherwise she
would have accompanied me here. But
her heart is here. her thoughts arc
here"
Good morning. Arthur" said Horace
Blagden pleasantly. II am sorry to
hear that Julia is i'll. Nothing serious,
I hope"
Mr.. P~resbrey's eyes flew wide open.
He stared for q mOmen Then his fac
turned a deep pink
Not at all. not at ALL" he stammered.
completely taken aback. Merely q
cold, MI. Blagden. In the head"
Please remember us to her." said
Mr.. Blagden. slipping his arm through
Eric's. oh. by-the-by, Arthur" he
Went on after. an i%nstant's reflection,
will it be convenient for you to drop
in to see me at the bank tomorrow?
a question in connection with the new
library"
Mr.. Presbrey stiffened. II have read
something about It," he said.
DO o think Julia will be we'll
enough to come to dinner tomorrow
you two could have the whole evening
to yourselves in the library
"Good!". said her husband genially.
And We could have the architect there
to assist us. What do you say, Pres
brey?"
ME. IISSOEcy B ldSO was u SIUOy.
"I-I-dear me. dear met" he fall
tered. nervously fumbling for his hand
kerchief. Finding it. he blew his nose
rather aimlessly and then repeated:
Dear mel" They were waiting for an
answer He cleared his throat Really.
ives. yes. it's very good of you. I
am sure. Dear me-! OF course, you
understand. it Is only a cold in the
head. 1 fancy she will be quite rid of
1t by tomorrow. Mustard foot bath to-
night. Yes. yes! Hot mustard for a
cold head-cold in the head, I should
say. Dear me! 1t will seem quite like
old times. my dear friends"
Horace vas enjoying himself. After
wards he confessed to a certain mean
ness of spirit. a delicious sensation of
malice; but quite pardonable, he
argued. in view of the fact that he was
returning good for evil. Eric, the only
other witness beside Mrs. Blagden, ac-
tually felt sorry for the distressed ex-
minister.
Except that we all have grown older
and wiser" supplemented MIR. Blagden.
Mi. Prssbrey made haste to accept
the amendment. And better, l hope"
he said. He did not know It., but that
was a master-stroke. AS a matter of
fact, in repeating the amazing v
sation to his wife. he quite forgot to
mention the remark.
w dine at z. Mr.. Presbrey," said
Mrs. Blagden.
He responded bravsly. "Instead of
6:3O?"
All; Here was tribute to the memory
of old times!
II shall also ask Mr.. King to come
in" said Horace. in the most matter-of-
fact way.
MI. Presbrey drew a long breath. IT
shall rejoice In the opportunity to meet
him." he said desperately. You said
6:3O?"
Seven" said Horace. Then. as IL
recognizing an oversight, he extended
his hand. Mr.. Presbrey was on the
point of blowing his nose again. He
hastily switched the handkerchief to
his left hand. n clasped the ends Of
Mr.. Blagden's fingers in his right. 1t
was not much of a hand-shake, but 1t
seemed to put new life into him. At
least. he breathed with less difficulty.
He went home to Julia in a perfect
maze Of bewilderment. She MOI only
took q mustard foot bath externally
but nine grains of qu1nine the other
way.
In the corridor Of the courthouse.
Eric. walking between his uncle and
aunt with his arms through theirs,
burst out feelingly:
Uncle Horace. you are wonderful,
really wonderful"
Mr.. Blagden smiled. self-satisied.
Paying. off all the old scores, Eric"
he said gravely.
at the top Of the stairway. John Pay
son quietly detached himself from the
rest and started downstairs as they APP
preached.
Just a moment John. II you please"
said Mr.. Blagden. raising his voice
slightly. This is a day for renewing
L VIII Tho In I0v1r A9~0eS