Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-08-12

like US to do so, we will drop in occa-
sionally to see you at the cottage. Per-
haps. it would be rather helpful if we
We're to do so."
ITS just the thing" cried Eric. Its
good of vol to excuse Mary's attitude,
Uncle Horace. She'll come to her
senses in a little while, I'm sure. You
will be most heartily welcome at"
Horace pursed his lips as he shook
his head slowly. you'd better ask
Mary first, my boy. Then let me know
II we will be welcome"
Mary was surprisingly docile about It.
She was no fool. She sensed the thing
that was in the air.
All right, Erie. I'll do what you
think best. Mrs. Paulding cut me to-
day in h street. That shows how the
wind blows. You poor boy! I am sor-
ry on your account"
Il can't bear the thought Of" he be-
gan. but instantly checked the words.
He came near to saying something thai
would have hurt her.
she waited for a moment, her lips
parted as If prepared to cry out against
with the hayward little smile that was
her greatest charm.
Good old Erie! You came near to
saying something horrid, didn't your"
She put her hands on his shoulders,
racing him. isn't this ever so much
nicer, living here as we do? You know
1T Is. / think
Let them gossip" she said cheerful
~, although there was a darker glow
IN her eyes. 1T won't make any DIFF
ference after I'm married and out Of
reach of them. It's just because Tn not
married that they're talking, and look
ing at my back after I've passed, and
all that sort of thing. But
He claSDed her hands in bio q ma hop+
over her fiercely.. You can't marry.
Jack Payson, Mary" he cried. IT can't
permit 1t. There is q reason, a com
polling reason. Why-why, I'd kill him
before I'd see"
Now, Errie!" she cried, snatching
you'll regret. I won't listen to YOU"
Why, he's-he's A. No, l won't a
it," he groaned.
"A thief? I'll say it for you. He isn't
one and you know 1t, but even if he
We're, What cause have we for boast
ing?"
Good heaven, Nary"
We'll. let's change the subject" she
said sharply. you'd better hurry on
or you'll miss your appointment with
Judge Bright. Have you sent the plans
to him?"
He took two or three turns UP and
down the room, pulling himself togeth-
er.
No" he said. breathing deeply. 1.-THE
understanding was that I was to show
them to Joan first of all. She's not
here. See here, Mary. how do things
stand with you n Joan?"
- don't know. Erie. l wish I did.
We had a tiff a couple of months ago.
said something horrid about John
no like. ! said he was a good deal
more of q man than that Sallonsby
chap and that he'd still be q man when
her fine gentleman was pegging
around with locomotor ataxia or some
thing-Why. Erie! What is the mat
ter?'
He was staring at her. dismay in his
face.
Paul %sallonsby? You mean she's"
Shes mad about him. They The
words died on her lips. He had turned
very white. The truth was revealed to
her. lmpulsively h flew to his side.
Oh. Erie! l didn't know it was like
that. You care for her-in that way?
Oh, Eric! I'm so sorry. IL thought
1t was only a boy and girl affair"
He held her sobbing, in his arms.
HIS bloodless lips Were working, but not
in the effort to speak. y = . Some
thing had been shattered.
A little later he left the house and
made his way across to Judge Bright's
home. All zest in the building pro-
Ject was gone. He had no heart in the
long cherished enterprise. 1t was now
a cold. dull business transaction. not q
labor of love.
He could not believe it of Joan. AL
lowing for the distance that separated
them, there had been ample time for a
letter to have reached him from the
West Indies. The fact that she had
left no word for him in Corinth. not SO
much as Q line, was even more con-
vincing to his unwilling mind. She
had found someone else to take his
place. The fond dream was over. He
was awake after the long, sweet sleep
LOT security-awake to find that while
he slept h had slipped away from him
never to return. And yet he could not
believe If Of her.
His fears were somewhat lessened by
the warmth Of Judge Bright's greeting,
The fine old Justice was frankly GLAD
to see him. There could be no doubt
as to the genuinness of his affection
nor was his enthusiasm over the pros
poets OF his young friendLa whit .di-
minished by the years that had fallen
upen both of them.
II wish Joan could see you at this
moment, Eric, he said, as he u
the tall handsome fellows hand. .'She
has often wondered what the two
years would do for you. Upon my
soul, you are the living image of your
| father when he was 25-and he was q
man one looked at twice, let me say
to you. It does my heart good to see
you, my boy. And it would do yours
good to see my JOAN His eyes glow
ed with Joy and pride. "Ah. by boy
she Is wonderful.
Eric flushed. II am sorry she is not
at home. Judge Bright. IL had look
ed forward to seeing her, you may be
sure"
The Justice poked him with his
thumb. Il believe there was d boy and
girl attachment, wasn't there?"
II am afraid 1t was no more than
that" said Eric soberly.
Judge Bright gave him q keen glance
"Tll not tell her that you put 1t In just
those words" he said. and Eric won
dered not a little.
Later on. they fell to discussing the
plans for the new house. Some Of
Eric's enthusiasm returned.
"Of course. we can't do anything un-
til she returns from this pleasure
cruise; said the judge. Shed never
forgivcsme II I Q . a step without con-
sulting her. You've no idea nov COM
pletely she has me under her thumb,
When do you expect her to return?'
asked Eric.
"Its hard to say. They were TO star,
north this week. coming direct to BOs-
ton. but it seems that new plans have
been made. 4 had word yesterday that