Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-02
MI MI mn
iii I'LL IuI

lee of the rock. Two strong figures
We're they, silhouettes against the grey.
unlovely sky, defying the wind that
secured the cliffs.
Eric" said Mary, her lips close
to his ear, "is there really a resem-
blance, or is my mind so full of Adam
Carr that l can see no one else? Isn't
it odd that / should
Its not a fancy, Mary said he
gravely, without taking his eyes from
the two men. The likeness is there.
It's real. Now, maybe YOU can begin
to understand"
But l don't understand" she cried
In perplexity. Suddenly light burst up
on her. oh, Eric, you-you can't mean
that-that he"
See for yourself. dear. It's odd you
never noticed it before"
A low moan fell from her lips. She
MD her face against his shoulder. blot
tug gu the fantastic vision that smote
her so cruelty.
He was quick to comfort her. Moth
ing is sure in this world, Mary darling,
and this may be a coincidence, a freak
of nature."
Take me home. Eric came i II
smothered tones from his shoulder.
He glanced toward the men on the
brow of the cliff. Adam Carr waved
his hand in a friendly fashion, and an
instant later John Payson did the same.
AiSh, Will oceIIllilS reluctance, ne
turned to follow the older man. Side
by side. they turned away from the
edge Of Stone Wall, urged to swifter
strides by the wind at their backs. Not
once did they look behind.
They're going, Mary" said Eric.
She raised her eyes. Together they
watched the two men until they were
lined the distant roadway.
Il am afraid of him. Eric" she
moaned. Il am afraid of Jack now
There was something terrible about
him, something I'd never seen before
meyer even dreamed Of"
If he isn't the son of AID"
"Stop!" h almost screamed. 81 don't
want you to say it. You may be wrong.
God may have played a trick on us. on
every one. I'm beginning to think that
God isn't above small things like that.
No. no! We must never speak of it..
1t hurts, Eric, oh, how it hurts"
on my soul, Mary. / am sorry for
him. He is q decent chap. L"
HI is a a Erie, and, I love him.
L love him! I shall Low him till I die"
But you a see how impossible it
Will be for you to-"
up" she cried, beating upon his breast
with her clenched hands. Don't ask
me to say anything more"
Maybe it's all right, after ALL" he
began, but she stopped him.
If it's all right, why should he be
out here today with that MANI? No! He
stands with Adam Carr and he stands
for Adam Carr. He is against you.
Ihere is a greater influence than my
love at work with him.
pa tried to come to YOU
Then, what was it that held him
back she demanded fiercely.
He held her off. looking straight into
| her aVaS and Cnnla cfao Ji1,y .o,-o,, "a
He had just been listening to Adam
Cars story Of the thing that lies out
there in the sea. That's why. He knows
about me, Mary. That's what held him
back"
Eric" she said. after a moment ~
hin we'd better tell everything to I'm
Gle Horace"
Yes" said he, i've made up my
mind to do it."
Wait till tomorrow, dear"
Why put it off?'
please, Errie-just because I ask it
of you
A sharp exclamation fell from his
lips. The next instant he was pointing
in the direction of Buds Rock. A man
was hurrying toward them. a distant,
wind fighting figure that came on
going and the crevasses. He held his
hand before his nose and mouth, to
breathe the better in the face of The
gale.
It's jack" she cried eagerly.
Her brothers. arms dropped from her
shoulders, and a muttered word Of ex-
ecration ground its way through his
teeth. Then, with no word Of expla-
nation. ne advanced to meet the oncom-
er. holding her tightly by the arm.
Half way across the bleak plateau.
John Payson stopped. planting himself
sauarely In their path. There he wait
ed until they came up. Eric would have
to Mary, but her lover shifted his posi-
ton. o~bstructing the way.
What do you want?" demanded Eric
coming to q standstill and regarding
him with blazing eyes.
Il want arv." said ack Payson res
olutely. You're a beast, Eric. to bring
her out here on a day like this. Do
you understand? A beast"
Mary swirled in front of Eric, throw
ing herself on his breast. and ~clinging
to him. She did not utter a word, but
the act was significant.
For a full minute her brother glared
at PaYson. Then his anger fled before
justice n reason.
You're right, Payson," he exclaimed
miserably. "A selfish beast. Will you
come along with us2 Help me to get
her back to the house,
Niliou d Woiu, fdSSOH SpTdng to
her side, clasping one of her arms in
his. Together they half carried her
across the wild, open plateau, across
the. i'll fated bridge and into the pro-
tected highway.
She was limp with fatigue and ex-
element. and the pain that was in her
heart. In the shelter of the defile she
begged them to stop until she could re-
cover her breath and her lost compo-
sure.
Il couldn't stand it, Mary Payson
was saying, a world of anxiety in his
voice. II couldn't leave you out there.
Adam tried to keep me from coming
back, but L"
II am so glad you came, Jack" she
cried. Il wondered why you went away
Here. here!" expostulated Eric. care
you forgetting what you said back
there?"
mo" she faltered; but 1 can't help
saying this. Erie. Oh, / don't know
what I am to do" It was a wall thai
cut him like a sharp edged sword.
He turned upon Payson.
What were o doing out there with
Adam CARR" he demanded.
I'm not ansWerable to YOU" retorted