The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-09-09
IIlI I'M Ihl
CHAPTER xvn-(continued.)

Eaysoh tInou III SURPRISE. Nhct-
Didn't he tell you that Chetwypd
is out there. too, In an iron bound
Good heavenl what are you talk
ing about?" cried the other, In genu-
Inc anazement.
Never mind" said Eric, grimly.
What else did he say about-about
me?"
"That you as much as accused him
Of being my father" said Payson, with
wonderful self control.
much as accused you OF being hts son.
There is a difference"
II ought to kill you"
"Of course, he denied you" said Eric.
Denied me? oh, see. You mean
he disowned me-" said Payson grimly.
Il wonder at your compiacency," said
the other. surveying him In no little
admiration.
ct is not the time for anger" was
the calm retort. There is too much
at stake. have had many lessons In
self restraint Wall street Is a great
teacher and a great leveler OF personal
vanities. I've wanted to kill good
many men since went there, Mid
thorne. May ask what grounds you
have for assuming that he Is my ia
ther2" as
THE resemblance" said Eric bluntly.
Payson was silent for a minute or
two. Involuntarily his gaze sought the
mirror that hung on the opposite wall.
The room was half dark.
"Good Godi" he exclaimed, his eyes
suddenly contracting and expanding.
He passed q hand over his own face, as
IL to see whether the movement would
be reflected In the looking glass.
You seer" said Eric gently, great
pity In his heart.
"Its-it's incredibleI He spoke Of
A. III 49, 4. n - NIan
was so marked. why--why, can see
his eyes. his nose. his"
See here, Jack" broke in Midthorne
tmpulsively, I'm sorry for all this.
can't tell you how sorry I am. From
the bottom OF my heart, hope 1t can
all be cleared up satisfactorily. hope
II II nothing more than a curious freak
Payson turned on him furiously.
my mother Is an honest womanl She
couldn't have done the horrible thing
you are accusing her OF. Only prosti-
tutes descend to-" He stopped sud-
denly, .r.. i. ......-
Eric had ciapped his hands to his
eyes, a deep groan breaking through
his bloodless lips. Z
The other understood. TIN sorry,
Eric" he muttered, forgetting his own
emotions in contemplation OF. his COM
panion's sudden pain. 81 forgot"
Eric cut him of, his pride afiame. IT
don't want your pity, or your explana-
lions, or" ....... . .. "#.... .
Payson considerably left his side
and walked to the window. peering out
into the night, giving Midthorne time
TO recover himself. d..
After q few minutes Eric spoke.
How does he account for the re-
semblance7" he asked quietly.
Payson returned to his place on the
hearth stone. am willing to dis
cuss these things with you. Midthorne,
because you are Mary's brother, and
because you have a perfect right to
know who and what am. I'd do just
as you are doing IL had a sister and
II was you who wanted to marry her.
I'd ask questions OF you, Just as"
"And I'd tell you to go 60 the devill''
But" went on the other calmly, III
she loved you and you loved her, and I
knew you to be an honorable, well
meaning chap-as you are, Eric-Td
give her over to you in a minute"
Il daresay," remarked Eric b1untly.
Payson chose again to ignore an Of
fensive remark. But would ask
questions, as said before" he went
on. They would relate to you and not
TO the people who brought you into
the world. You ask me how Adam &C.
counts for the resemblance. Well, he
doesn't attempt TO do so. He knew my
father well. They were boys and men
together. All he will say Is that I am
Ike my father, and that my father was
Henry Payson. who lies out there in
the Atlantic. That IL all can get out
OF him. Til confess there's an air of
mystery about II, greater than ever,
now that I've looked squarely into your
looking glass. My own seems little
less brutal But he swears on his soul,
as he loves me-and know he does
that I have nothing to fear. Curiously,
however, he forbids me to question my
mother"
"Ahal" calculated his listener.
HE is right" protested Payson.
questionsT
His voice shook with the sudden rush
OF an emotion that came over him so
swiftly that he could not suppress It.
He turned his back quickly and
to regain control Of himself.
you can't go to her." cried Eric,
casting off all reserve. Not for all the
world. Come, come, Jack, buck upi i
am the last person in the world to con-
denim you or any other man. If you can
bring yourself to accept an apology
from me, offer II to you here and now,
I'm my own house. What IL more. I
withdraw my opposition so far as you
and Mary are concerned"
Payson bad wbirled and was staring
at him with incredulous eyes.
am TuI IOOl eHOuEH 10 ask you 10
overlook the insults / have offered"
went on Midthorne rapidly. You will
consider them worse than insults when
X you learn the truth about the man
who" ... ....
with a glad cry, Jack Payson
stretched out his hands and grasped
Eric's shoulders.
'Nonsensel" he exclaimed, his eyes
aglow. You're hipped about some
thing. Don't you suppose I can see
there's something wrong? You're not
yourself. That's why I can and do
overlook the so-called insults. I don't
hold anything against you, Eric. We
can't help being friends. You don't
know how happy am to hear you say
that you won't stand In the way Of our
marriage. 1t would have been unpleas-
ant to defy you, but that"
"Just a moment, Payson," inter-
rupted Eric. II must tell you that Mary
has decided that she can't marry you.
We've talked II over" ..l
"Whatp gasped the other, dismayed.
His Jaw dropped. 'Tmpossiblel I don't
believe 1t. She loves me- Nothing
could change" 1a a@aH
Eric held up his hand, smiling rather
wanly as he met the distressed look in