The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-08-12
Nn NII lIl

like us to do so. we will drop In occa-
sionally to see o at the cottage. Per-
haps. IL would be rather helpful IL we
were to do So"
It's Just the thing" cried Eric. "Its
good of you to excuse Mary's attitude,
Uncle Horace. She'll come to her
senses In a little while, I'm sure. You
viii 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
IL We VIII be welcome
Mary was surprisingly docile about II.
She was no fool. She sensed the thing
that was In the air.
A right, ERIE. I'll do what you
think best. Mrs, Paulding cut me to-
day In the 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 that
would have hurt her.
h waited for q moment her lips
parted as IL prepared to cry out against
the expected pain. Then they trembled
with the maynard little smile that was
her greatest charm
Good old Erriei You came hear to
saying something horrid, didn't you? 2"
She put her hands on his shoulders,
facing him. isn't this aver so much
nicer. living here as we do? You know
II is, I think"
Its great. Mary" he cried warmly.
Let them gossip" she said cheerful
~, although there was a darker glow
In her eyes "It won't make any diff
ference after I'm married and out OF
reach OF them. It's Just because I'm not
married that they're talking, and look
ing at my back after rye passed, and
all that sort of thing. But"
he clasped her hands In his and bent
over her fiercely. you can't marry
Jack Payson, Mary" he cried. IT can't
permit 1t. There is a reason, a COM
polling reason. Why-why. I'd kiln him
Now, Errie!" she cried, snatching
her hands away Don't say anything
you'll regret. I won't listen to you"
Why, he's--he's az No. I won't say
IT." he groaned.
"A thief? I'll say 1t for you. He isn't
We're, what cause have we for boast
mgr"
"Good heaven, Mary!,t
We'll, let's change the subject" she
said sharply. You'd better hurry on
or you'll miss your appointment with
to him?"
He took two or thfce turns up and
down the room, pulling himself togeth-
er.
NO" he said. breathing deeply. a'The
understanding was hat I was to show
them to o first of all. She's not
here. See here, Mary, how do things
stand with you n Joan?"
II don't know, Erie. 1 wish I did.
We had a tiff a couple OF months ago.
She said something horrid about John
Payson and I replied In a way she did
no like. said he was a good deal
more Of a man than that Sallonsby
chap and that he'd still be a man when
her fine gentleman was pegging
around with locomotor ataxia or some
thing-Why. Erie! What is the mat
He was staring at her. dismay in his
face.
Paul S~allonsby2 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. Impulsively she flew to his side.
"Oh. Eriei / didn't know IL was like
that You care for her-in that way?
Oh, Eric! I'm so sorry. FL thought
1t raj only a boy n girl affair"
He held her sobbing, in his arms.
His bloodless lips were working, but not
In the effort to speak. 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 bad no heart in the
long cherished enterprise. 1t was now
a cold, dull business transaction, not a
labor Of love.
He could not believe II 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 a line. was ever more COM
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
of security-awake to And that while
he slept she had slipped away from him
never to return. And yet he could not
believe IL of her.
His fears were somewhat Iessened 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 friend a whit di-
upon both OF them.
Il wish Joan could see you at this
moment, Eric" he said. as he wrung
the tall handsome fellows hand. "She
has often wondered what the two
years would do for you. Upon my
father when he was 25-and he was a
man one looked at twice. let me say
to you. 1t does my heart good to see
| you, my boy. And II would do yours
good to see my Joan" His eyes glow
ed with joy and pride. "Ah, by boy
Eric flushed. Il am sorry she is not
at home. Judge Bright. III had look
ed forward to seeing her. you may be
sure"
The justice poked him with his
thumb. II believe there was a boy and
girl attachment. wasn't there?"
II am afraid it was no more than
that" said Eric soberly. "
Judge Bright gave him a keen glance.
I'll not tell her that o 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 I'M
til she returns from this pleasure
cruise said the judge. shed eve
forgive me II / took a step without con-
sulting her. You've no idea how com
pletely she has me under her thumb"
When do you expect her to return? n
asked Eric.
aIt's hard to saw. They were to start