The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-11-11

said Mr.. Presgrey: -Mrs. Presbrey and
| l. All. my dear young friend, you do
not know how greatly this viii please
my wife. your most devoted friend. She
Is indisposed today. Otherwise she
would have accompanied me here. But
her heart Is here. her thoughts are
here"
Good morning. Arthur" said Horace
Blagden pleasantly. II am sorry to
hear that Julia is i'll. Nothing serious,
hope"
Mr.. Presbrey's eyes flew wide open.
He stared for a moment. Then his face
turned a deep pink.
mot at all. not at ALL" he stammered,
completely taken aback. Merely a
cold, Mr.. 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 instant's reflection,
will II be convenient for you to drop
in to see me at the bank tomorrow?
Any hour will do. / want to talk over
question in connection with the new
library" "
Mr.. Presbrey stiffened. II have read
something about it." he said.
do you think Julia will be well
enough to come TO dinner tomorrow
eveningT' asked Mrs. Blagden. Then
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?"
Mr.. Presbrey's face was study.
"I-I-dear me. dear mel" he fall
tered, nervously fumbling for his hand
kerchief. Finding II, he blew his nose
rather afmlessly and then repeated:
Dear mel They were waiting for an
answer. He cleared his throat. Really,
am sure. Dear me! or course, you
understand, 1t Is only cold In the
head. l fancy she will be quite rid OF
II by tomorrow. Mustard foot bath to-
night. Yes. yes! Hot mustard for o
cold head-cold in the head, should
say. Dear me! 1t viii seem quite like
old times, my dear friends"
Horace was 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 Mr.. Blagden.
Mr.. Presbrey made haste to accept
the amendment. And better, hope"
he said. He did not know it, but that
was a master-stroke. AS a matter Of
fact, in repeating the amazing CONVEX
sation to his wife. he quite forgot to
mention the remark.
We dine at q. Mr.. Presbrey," said
Mrs. Blagden.
He responded bravely. Instead OF
6:30?"
All. Here was tribute to the memory
of old times! 4-
IT shall also ask Mr.. King to come
In" said Horace, in the most matter-Of-
fact way.
Mr.. Presbrey drew a long breath. "r
shall rejoice in the opportunity to meet
him. I'M, he said desperately. You said
Seven" said Horace. Then, as II
recognizing an oversight he extended
his hand. Mr.. Presbrey was on the
point of blowing his nose again. He
hastily switched the handkerchief to
hts left hand, and clasped the ends of
M. ,Slagden'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 not only
took a mustard foot bath externally
but nine grains of outline the other
way. 81.
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-satisfied.
Paying off all the old scores, Eric"
he said gravely. ~
A little group was waiting for them
at the top of the stairway. John Pay
son quietly detached himself from the
rest and started downstairs as they ap-
preached. .- 2, ~
lust a moment, John. II you please"
said Mr.. Blagden, raising his voice
slightly. This Is day for renewing
old acquaintances. old friendships.
Will you shake hands, sir?"
Payson did not hesitate. He clasped
the bankers hand.
Certainly. sir. Is this your verdict?"
Mr.. Blagden was puzzled. He looked
into the young mans steady eyes for
a moment: then the doubt was lifted
from his own.
TT is" he said cuccinctly, and Pay
son knew that at last he was acquitted
Of completely In the bank defalcation,
An instant later Horace remarked: "I
am a just man. By-the-by," he went
on. how Is Adam Carr today?"
There Is no change, Mr.. Blagden, I |
am sorroy to say. He will never speak |
again, sir" |
Then Horace Blagden uttered a re-
markable prophecy.
CONTINUED next weekly