Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-11-11

said Mr.. Presgrey: Mrs. Presbrey and
I. All, my dear young friend, you do
not know how greatly this will please
my wife, your most devoted friend. She
is i~ndisposed today. otherwise she
would have accompanied me here. But
her heart is here. her thoughts are
here"
Good morning, Arthur" said Horace
Blagden pleasantly. Il am sorry to
hear that Julia is i'll. Nothing serious,
I hope"
MIR. Presbrey's eyes flew wide open.
He stared for a moment. Then his face
turned a deep pink.
Not at all. not at ALL" he stammered,
completely taken aback. Merely a
cold, Mr.. Blagden. In the head"
please remember US to her." said
Mr.. ,Blagden. slipping his arm through
Eric's. "Oh. by-the-by, Arthur" he
went on after an instant's reflection,
will it be convenient for you to drop
In to see me at the bank tomorrow?
Any hour will do. l want to talk over
a question In connection with the new
library"
Mr.. P~resbrey stiffened. Il a read
something about it," he said.
DO you think Julia will be we'll
enough to come to dinner tomorrow
evening"" asked Mrs. Blagden. ''Then
you two could have the whole evening
W SoulS tlNSS III llC ipIaIN
Good" said her husband genially.
And We could ave the architect there
to assist US. What do YOU say, Pres
brey?"
MIR. Presbrey's face was a study.
"I-I-dear me. lear me-" he fall
tered, n%ervously fumbling for his hand
k%erchief, Finding it, he blew his nose
rather aimlessly and then repeated:
Dear mel They We're waiting for an
answer. He cleared his throat. Really,
l-I-yes, yes, it's Very good of you, 1
am sure. Dear me! OF course, you
understand, it is only a cold in the
head. l fancy she will be quite rid of
it by tomorrow. Mustard foot bath to-
night. Yes. yes. Hot mustard for q
cold head-cold in the head, L should
say. Dear me! 1t Will seem quite like
old times, my dear friends
Horace was enjoying himself. After
wards he confessed to a certain mean
ness of spirit. a delicious sensation of
malice; but quite pardonable, he
argued. in view of the fact that he was
returning good for evil. Eric, the only
other witness beside Mrs. Blagden, &C
tually felt sorry for the distressed ex-
minister.
Except that we all a grown older
and WISER" supplemented MIR. Blagden.
Mr.. Presbrey made haste to accept
the amendment. And better, / hope
he said. He did not know it, but that
was a master-stroke. AS a matter of
fact. in repeating the amazing CONVEX
sation to his wife, he quite forgot to
mention the remark.
w dir at Z. Mr.. Presbrey," said
Mrs. Blagden.
He responded bravely. Instead OF
6:3O?"
All. Here was tribute to the m
of old times!
II shall also ask Mr.. King to come
in said Horace, in the most matter-of-
fact way.
Mr.. Presbrey drew a long breath. II
shall rejoice in the opportunity to meet
him." he said desperately. You said
6:30?"
Seven" said Horace. Then. as II
recognizing an oversight, he extended
his hand Mr.. Presbrey was on the
point of blowing his nose again. He
hastily switched the handkerchief tc
his left hand, and clasped the ends OF
Mr.. Blagden's fingers in his right. II
wa5 not much of a hand-shake, but II
seemed to put new life into him. AT
least. he breathed with less difficulty.
He went home to Julia in a perfect
maze of beWilderment. She lot only
took a mustard foot bath externally
but nine grains Of q%uinine the other
way.
In the corridor of the courthouse
ILlIG, NdlhIIS pclNceu ms uncle dnC
aunt with his arms through theirs
burst out f%eelingly:
Uncle Horace, you are wonderful
really wonderful
Mr.. Blagden smiled, self-satisfed
Paying off all the Ole scores, Eric,
he said gravely.
A little group was waiting for them
at the top Of the stairway. John Pay.
son quietly detached himself from the
rest and started downstairs as they an.
preached.
Just "a moment. John. if you please
said Mr.. Blagden, raising his voice
slightly. This is a day for renewing
old acquaintance. old friendships
Will you shake hands, sir?"
Payson did not hesitate. He claspeC
the bankers hand.
Certainly. sir. Is this your verdict?'
mir. Blagden was puzzled. He looked
into the young mans steady eyes 70,
a moment; then the doubt was lifted
from his own.
SIT is" he said cuccinctly. and Pay.
son knew that at last he was acquitted
of completely in the bank defalcation
Ar instant later Horace remarked: 81
am a just man. By-the-by," he Went
on. how is Adam Carr today?"
There is NO change, Mr.. Blagden,
am sorroy to say. He will never SPEAK
again, sir
Then Horace Blagden uttered a re.
markable prophecy.
Continued next week.)