Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-09-29

Unjust" he said bitterly slisea: WHY 1sa' Eve
forfeited all claim to
"Hust. my boy" said Mr.. Blagden.
Give us time-give us time"
Mary. in the intensity of a great
mean toto kill him, Uncle. You know
he did not n
Mrs. Blagden shook herself free and
turned on the girl. There was a wild,
insane glare in her eyes.
He treatened Chetwynd 100 times"
threatened Chetwynd 100 times,''
He hated him! He wanted to kill
him."
My dear. my dear!" pleaded Horace.
Calm yourself. Let us Judge this Door
boy as God will Judge him. Remember.
we called him u son but yesterday"
Il cannot forgive mourned
his wife. falling back Imply. Don't
girl, who would have caught her in her
arms. Mary shrank back. repulsed.
A full minute passed, rough with
tragic misery. Eric was the first to
speak.
Il nave old you everything. Adam
Carr has supported my story. IL you
think he would lie to save me or him
self"
NO" said Horace grimly. Adam
Carr would not lie. He hates me too
we'll to lie to me. The truth always
hurts worse than Il lie, and he knows it.
l believ YOU. Eric. You have never
been anything but honest. 1t isn't that.
It's the other thing. The long years
we've been allowed to suffer-"
lows If you had known all this five
years ago.. You were different. You
would have had no mercy, no pity in
those days"
You think I've changed? You were
not afraid to risk confession today. Is
that it?"
NO. no." cried Eric hastily. II
don't mean that. But / was afraid at
the time. Afterwards it was too late.
but I've said all this before. Why
go over it again. 1 am the confessed
slayer of your son, my own cousin. Now
1 ask to be given a fair trial, a just
hearing. That's ALL"
Mr.. Blagden said nothing for a few
moments. He was studying the young
mans face.
You came out with the truth be-
cause YOU We're sorry for u.s. he said at
last: Because o wanted to end our
suffering and SUSPENSE"
Yes" said Eric. Il could have gone
forever without telling if l had SO de-
sired"
And you We're not afraid that some
day Adam Carr would betray you? You
have v felt hat he had u weapon
to hold over You and to strike If he
saw fit. to suit purposes of his OWN"
Eric hesitated. mo. i've never really
been afraid Of Adam Carr. IL l had
been afraid of him I should never have
come to you with the truth. He did
hold 1T over my head. but-well, here l
am. sir. 1 was not afraid OF him."
1T had. TO do with Mary and John
Payson?"
Yes. 1 will be frank"
You told us the truth because you
voice faltered. Because you loved us
after all and could not let it go on any
longer?"
Yes"
Conscience had nothing to do with
it? The fear of God was not in your
heart?"
Eric did not hesitate. mo. NV con-
science. 80 far as the death of Chef
wynd is concerned is clear. | had no
fear of God, for God was my Witness"
Mr.. Blagden again laid his hand on
his nephew's shoulder.
rs it love or pity" he asked. his
voice shaking.
Eric was honest. He looked suuarely
into his uncle's eyes.
Il don't know, sir. I can't explain.
l used to hate you and Aunt Rena. I
DO not hate you now. Somehow, I
have changed"
Somehow. we have changed" said
not have expected you to love US, when,
God forgive me for saying it-when
u w son did not love US. Do not
interrupt. II he had loved us he would
not be where he is today. My boy, 1
will not say to you now that I forgive
you. 1t is not yet in my heart to do
so. 1 must have it all out with myself
with God as my counsellor. You took
the life of my son. You-Rena. l beg
of you!"
Mrs. Blagden had risen, and stood
wavering before the two men, on the
verge of utter collapse. She put out
her hand touched her husbands
arm.
= want to be alone with you, Horace.
Will YOU come" she said duly:
Yes. yes" he cried, putting his arm
around her shoulders. I'VE will go, we
will go. my dear"
Wait" she said: Then she turned
have let your uncle suffer ali these
years. 1t was cruel Of you to"
Come. come. my dear" broke in Mr..
Blagden. u%nsteadil- You were the
great sufferer. IL vas going about
among men all the time. You sat here
alone and-mv God! How long the
years have been! My dear. my dear!
and II"
He broke down completely. With
the frail form of his wife clasped tight
Nv to his breast. he lowered his head
until his face vas buried in the silken
white hair.
Bricks lips moved in a mute appeal;
his hands went out toward them and
then fell to his sides. With a dry.
racking sob in his throat, he turned
away, staggering blindly toward the
window. Mary came up with him
quickly. She slipped her arm ahont his