Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-10-14
M IN uIl

arm linked with that of his companion.
From the porch Of the house they had
just left, Joan waved to them as they
turned to look back from the corne
below where the hedges grew high and
wall-like.
If I should happen to wake up right
now" said Eric, a trifle unsteadily.
I'm afraid the disappointment would
kill me. OF course, it's only a dream"
The judge smiled. you've just come
out of a dream-and a very bad one
at that. A nightmare six years long!
Good heaven, what an age! 1 shudder
to think of what it has been to poor
old Horace and Mrs. Blagden."
They were OF their way to the Of
flee of a lawyer in Bank street, pur-
suant to a plan Of action advanced by
Joan's father, after he had recovered
sufficiently from the effect of the two
shocks-for 1t Is always q shock to a
father, even though he may have sus-
pected his daughters secret all along.
He agreed with Eric that 1t was best to
put himself in the hands of the law
without delay, and to go through the
form of being legally relieved Of the
charge of manslaughter.
but IL can't ask Joan to be my
wife, Judge Bright, even though I am
discharged" Eric had started to say
back there In the house, only to be
stopped by the girl.
you've already asked me-" she had
said. and l will not release you"
Whereupon Judge Bright had grave
mans sbon1dars
1--WE have onlv tho law ia consider
Eric. II the law puts no barrier be-
tween you and Joan. I shall not do SO.
You understand"
| nocent on
nThat,s a. NV ladu
1T nnderstand I,,dga Pri,h+n
Thav had cnnsidared the des;ens NJ
| Horace Rlaeden Who for reasons hest
known 70 himsaif had caref1lIv avoid
"a Irrio s,nna tLa+ harnan,inn soana N
th y Idhr,r r.n.1 la. 49, - ant = settne onu
! inimicai move IN the mart 81 Chef.
wvnd;s fathar Iudge Rr;gbt yoi,n-
teerea 10 co a. once "a The house On
the hi, for tho n,,rnose of nre,,inp tho
case hefora the zeal i,,dge tha raa1
nrosecmtor He triad to share with uric
tne bo1;ae +hat M p1o So wa,,Id ra
fnae 70 nrosao,,te Rnt be wac not yst
| able ro viaw Horace Rlapden in TIA
asnect re h,,,niii+v that Eric Described.
We Lad i,nn,,n ~ nra.+ m.n ~ Co
nth all HE lie Ha was not On SIM.
that he could nbanea his snots
49,
A. a waiter ~ foot na,+har M
pia 1aan nan ~. r,ifa Lee TIC rann In
mo tha ranoainaar of +ha+ avail Sah-
hath nor Nd thew annaar For hreaS-
70 st ne naSt ,,nrnIna Er,o ond Mo-
had sat mn haIf the night waitinr IN
.,,anensa apa ara.d for tha 1;bra Nv TO-
To nne., to admit tho pa,,nt fip;,ra of
tha;r ,,ncIo AZ e,.iand or Foe = m.t.
tered littIa towa I'd the and Of theirl Viz
~ % aarer wara thew TO have tho az
deal oyer with. They could hear the
tread Of footsteps overhead. and the
occasional murmur Of voices through
the bedroom door. At midnight tho
light in the room was extingutshed and
the two who waited stole OFF to he'd.
the unknown verdict hanging over
They slept not. Long after the clocl,
struck 3--not the old clock in the hall,
+ but the new one in the court house
dome-they heard a door open stealth
lily and then the soft shuttle of feet
in the hallway. A board in the floor
creaked near Eric's door. He did not
move. but the cold perspiration crept
out all over his body.
Someone stood outside the door,
listening. Sharp ears might have heard
the beating of the heart that drummed
in Eric's breast. Then the ghostly
creaking Of the board again. and the
shutting of those stealthy feet. A dis
tant door whined softly and a lock
clicked. Then the. house was still once
more.
Eric sprang out Of bed and opened
his door. There was no light in the
transom. down the hall.
He and Mary breakfasted together.
Martha, more myatified than she had
ever been in all her life. informed them
that the master and Mrs. BlaEden
would have their coffee upstairs.
Eric had hurried OFF mmedtately
after that dismal meal. He was bare
" out Of sight beyond the hedge at the
| bottom 81 the ward. when Horace came
| down the stairs. meeting Mary in The
hail.
"Where has Eric gomez" he demand
ed. visibly ag4tated. His banner was
SO strange that the girl Involuntary
drew back against the stair rail
aHe-ha has" she stammered
.Speaki Where has he rona?I in
Il terrupted her uncle sharply.
ssHa has gone Ia the-tha court house
Uncle Horace. to- give himseif-S
He did not wait for her to com
Meta the sentence. Int turned and nc.
cended the stains with unusual swirt.
ness. A few minutes later he came
nassed her IN the hall ha said: =
.sYo,r amt Womb HE von IL com
I'm "a her for q Iitfla whj,a Marv !