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

rocked back and forth on the fran Iittis
sofa, clinging to each other as II fear
ms the presence OF someone who stood
ready 70 drag them apart forever.
Il did kill a man." groaned Eric NJ
last. They said / would, Mary"
Don't, Ericl Please don'tlr
"Godi" burst from his tortured lips.
Adam Carr turned at this. For q
minute he watched them through mar
row eyes,, then walked " . to take hia
stand before them.
Eric looked up at him, DULY.
Tell her I've told the truth, Mr..
Adam-the honest TRUTH" he begged.
You've made an utter fool Of N
SELF" remarked Adam, but In q way
that was not unkindly.
Mary looked up In angry amazement.
Her moist eyes swept the figure Of the
shrivelled a less imperturbable person
than Adam Carr.
How dare you say that to my
brother ?" she cried.
Adam smiled, almost approvingly.
TIM not SO sure that he's a fool after
all Mary. The secret Is safe with you.
Now, IL you love him, help me to pro-
tect him against this idiotic thing he
calls a conscience-or maybe it's honor.
I'm sorry he has told you all this. Not
that II could be dragged out OF o
my girl, with red-hot tongs, but that
doesn't help matters. You
Il am glad he has told me-" she ex-
claimed. III isn't right that he should
bear 1t alone. Oh, Eric, IL you had only
told me years ago! I could nave helped
you, ! could have comforted you. Why
why, you are not q murderer. It's
preposterous!"
We're agreed on that" said Adam.
But viii your Uncle Horace be SO con-
Mary s~huddered. Eric. I am SO
afraid Of Uncle Horace. He will be
very bitter. He may"
See here, Mary" he broke In, COM
ing to his feet with renewed resolution
In his face, you're not going to stand
! n my way, are you? You're not going
to side with Mr.. Adam, are you? II
that's what you're thinking of, let me
tell you Il won't deter me. I'm going
to Uncle Horace this evening" Turn
ing TO Adam, he said with absolute
finality: You may do as you choose.
Mr.. Adam, so far as backing me up u
concerned"
Adams smile was a wry one. Il
don't occupy a very ~creditable position
In the matter, my boy. Please don
overlook that little point. See here"
with sudden vehemence: do you think
you're playing fair with met Where
uoes Inis pedVS me- oiu the pest
could for you. and now you break
faith. / did not expect 1t of you"
You have done a great deal for ne"
said Eric abJectly. You must consider
me an migrate" "
Not exactly that. I can understand
how you feel. It's not unnatural. You
see, you're not morally guilty Of q
crime. It's irksome to live as II you
were. admire your courage, your
honesty" .... "a
cit isn't courage" cried Eric. It's
cowardice! Good heaven, do you think
that II / was as brave as you are I'd
go into a funk like this? No: I'm O
coward. I can't face the music any
longer. I've lost my nerve. Why,
every time Aunt Rena looks at me o
OF those sad eyes, every time Uncle
Horace forgets himself and let's the
lines set about his lips. / shudder all
over. PnO q coward, that's all there In
to IT." tmt
Il shouldn't that" said Adam
quietly,
well, It's the TRUTH" -n
Il still maintain that my way In
best" said the detective. You'd bet
ter let me see you out of the woods,
Eric. I'm used to It; I'm quite ca
pable. The minute I tell them that
they'll be transformed. It's anxiety.
dread, uncertainty that's doing tho
work for them now. Once they know"
NO." said Eric firmly, 'ft's got to be
my way"
(which means, in other words, that
you want to get rid Of me as a mill
stone"
Yes, Mr.. Adam. that is one Of the
reasons" r. .-..... .
Carr shrugged his shoulders. Then,
I've nothing more to say"
But you will tell Uncle Horace Just
how II happened, won't your" cried
Mary anxiously. g..
He did not reply at once, but sat
down in the rocker a few feet away,
with his elbows on the arms OF the
chair, facing them. Although his face
did NJ betray the fact that he was
the hands served to betray him. He
took his pipe from his pocket and had
It almost to his lips before he be-
thought himself inc restored the dis
reputable thing to its habitual resting
place. ...- -...... .L
Mary wal watching the set, hard
features with narrowing eyes, In which
hope and fear struggled for supremacy.
Eric, with HIS hands damned into his
pockets, started sullenly down at the
man, .. -.
GIVE me time to think" muttered
Adam Carr. g.
"You surely will not desert him now"
implored Mary. Her hand went forth
in search Of Eric's. Not meeting II. the
tense fingers clutched the skirt OF his
coat in a frenzied grip.
(Co7tinued next week.
------D~----
Leaysa n had Taste.