The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-08-19

thing-but I did not trick you. 1t was
q fair game. I'VE kept my lips sealed.
I've stood back of you in"
Eric thrust his face close to the 9TH
ers; DO you mean to tell me that
JACK Payson hasn't had the whole story
from you? Answer me that question.
You can't deny it."
Adam fell back a step. genuine
asLonishment in his face.
mol" Why do you ask? What has
ne SAID to lead you to believe-Non-
sense! He doesn't know it. It's i'm
possible. Eric, there isn't a soul on
you and l."
Jack ,knows-Im sure he knows"
know, except through you? / know
what he is to you. But, wen at that,
1t was a blamed scurvy thing to do
The look In Adams eyes put a sud-
den check on the ruthless words that
were rushing to his lips. The mans
glared for an instant into the fierce
eyes opposite, n then slowly drew
back, reaching out with his hand for
the support Of q chair. The hue Of
~apoplexy had covered his face. Eric
a never seen a man who looked like
this. He was filled with a sudden con-
sternatlon. Was the lar about to die?
Look out, Mr.. Adam!" he cried out.
Here! Sit down! II take it all
back. l shouldn't have said that I'm
half crazy-I'm out Of my senses
Adam waved him off. The purplish
hue receded and left his face almost
sallow.
You near that you take back what
o said a~bout-about what?" he de-
manded.
About your having told him, of
course"
All, I see" said Adam, fixing Eric
with eyes In which lay the light of
the other"
Eric's gaze wavered. That's neither
here nor there. We won't discuss it,
if you please"
Just as o please, Eric" said Adj
am slowly. Then with a positive snar
in his tones: He doesn't know. Get
that out Of your head. No one knows.
No n need know. Let me finish. I'll
put an end to the whole game if you
insist. Give me a week-no, a month.
I'm getting sick of the thing myself.
The pleasures all one out of it. I'm
not altogether heartless; I can even
feel sorry for Horace. But we've got to
use judgment, discretion. 1 can't go to
him today with my lie about Chef
wynd's death in some foreign and-or
sea. 1t will have to be worked up slow
ly, deliberately. I've got the thing fixed
in my mind. I'll tell him thai the boy
was killed in he South American rev.
olution now in progress in"
mo, moi" cried Eric, pounding the
mantelpiece with his clenched hand.
I'm going to make a clean breast Of it.
I'm going to purge my soul of all that
curses it. No more trickery, no more
lying, no more subterfuge, Mr.. Adam.
done for me, God knows I'm not. I
can only curse myself for letting it go
on SO long. I've been a dog, a coward
"a demon. That's it-a demon. But
I can't go on with it. I just can't"
Adam laid a hand on his shoulder.
You'd better be guided by me, my
boy" he said kindly. 81 am YOU friend
and I am in full possession Of my wits.
Which Is more han you can say. Let
it go as I nave planned. There's no
harm in that. I'll go to Horace in a
few days and put his mind at rest for
ever. I will produce positive proof THAI
C%hetwynd is dead and"
A sharp cry broke from Mary's lips.
The two men were again conscious of
her presence in the room. She was
standing near the window with her
back to the light, her hands clasped
over her breast.
Eric! What is he saying?" she cried
in a shrill, unnatural voice.
Her brother hesitated and then
| sprang to her side.
Il don't know how to tell you, Mary
dear. It's such a horrible Yes! I'll
get it oyer with. III begin with you,
dreamed that Chetwynd-"
For heavens sake, boy" groaned
Adam, stop and think before you do
this"
No! You remember that night,
Mary, don't your" he rushed on, some-
thing like frenzy taking hold Of him.
ssC;~ " n orr . - r c1aYf ~ H. f1@@.
in"
Yes, yes, I remember" she cried, be-
wildered.
well, that was the day that Chef
wynd died. He did not run away. Mr..
Carr has not been looking for him all
these years. He's been dead all the
time" He stopped to pull the collar
away from his throat.
Adam Carr dropped his arms de-
jectedly and turned away.
'Impossible!" gasped Mary. why
why, Uncle Horace has been expect
ing him home all
"Uncle Horace doesn't know. No one
knows but Adam Carr and-I. Sit
down here beside me, grille. I'll tell
you the whole story, and Adam Carr
will vouch for it. I'm going to tell
Uncle Horace, too. He can do what he
likes with me-hang me, if he wants
to-but I've just got to tell.'
He drew her down beside him on the
| sofa, over in the darkest corner Of the
room. Then, for 10 minutes, he deliv-
cred his soul to her. She sat as one
petrifed, white and still. staring with
unblinking eyes at his twitching, dis
torted face all the while he poured out
his unhappy story.
Once her gaze vas diverted, ever so
briefly, to follow his as it vent to the
broad. m~otionless figure of Adam Carr.
who stood at the window looking out
upon the street.
But, Mary, Mr.. Adam says it was
not murder pleaded Eric in con-
clusion. He say it was an accident.
1t might just as well have been I who
went over"
and he's been dead all these years."
she murmured. "Out there in the
ocean,"
Yes"
HI can't be washed ashore? 1t was
a great iron chest, you say?" she went
on DULY. Her hand went to her temple.
For heavens sake, Mary, don't put
it"
and they think he is still alive?"