The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-08-19
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~By the way" interrupted his uncle
calmly, I'D like you to keep II a secret
for q day or two. The deeds are being
prepared by Mr.. Graves. Tomorrow
perhaps, I'll give 1t to h Courief. I
O scoop, OF a beat. which IL it7 At any
rate, wen supply the paper with
editorial food for q month OF more chi
Blagden breakfast food. eh?"
He clapped the bewildered Midthorne
on tho back n laughed his drtest
cackle. He was the same old Horace.
after all,-the same old egoist.
Il can't believe It." murmured Eric,
forgetting his own troubles in the face
Of this stupendous philanthropy that
was 10 hang over the heads OF h Corr
Inthians till the crack OF doom.
you'll see, my boy, you'll see" said
bis uncle. Come over this evening
and we'll discuss the plans. have an
idea or " myself, and 30 has your
aunt. You may be Interested to know
that I purpose making Presbrey the
librarian IN charge"
Again Eric stared Why, ! thought
Il dare NY he'll try to decline the
honor at first." said Horace blandly,
but we shan't accept no from any man
% far as this undertaking Is concerned.
0AI ~ so 81 "a . SSAAAS -
church on Sunday7"
Yes" said Eric. Are you sure you
want me TO undertake a job as huge
49,
mo one else will be considered" said
Horace with flnality.
They had come to the stairway lead
mg up TO the editorial rooms OF the
Cornith Courier. with a grave bow to
Eric, Mr.. Blagden turned to mount
them, first glancing up at the window
from which the publisher was peering.
n thinks I'm coming for the rent
Said Horace. Good day, Eric"
In q maze Of mingled wonder and
distress, Eric made his way homeward.
He was filed with wonder over his
nncIe's amasing act OF generosity. dis
tressed over the new complication that
was about to be forced upon him. Out
Of the maze came q sharp, cruel revela-
Ton OF Horace Blagden's true motive In
giving this great edifice to the city OF
corinth. 1t was not for the sake of
the name OF Blagden alone. but as a
penance to his own disturbed con-
1t was his way OF measuring expia-
don.
But how utterly impossible It would
be for Eric to accept this tributeI His
heart was full He understood his
uncle. and he pitied him. The great
man OF Cornith was striving TO right q
wrong that now seemed trivial to the
young man. Compensation; that was
all II meant to Horace Blagden-a
splendid recompense. He could think
Of no other way to pay so handsomely
es this. The world would never know
tho true meaning Of the gift to Cor
NTH, yet he would be square with 1t.
There was something truly pathetic In
his method: pathetic because his own
self qualification was a secondary con-
dition despite all outward appearances.
AS Eric entered his own little door
yard, the passive resolution that has
been gently tugging at his conscience
for years leaped into violent protest
against further suppression. The time
had come when he could no longer
maintain silence. The truth would
have to be told.
He could no longer watch the suf-
fering OF those silent, harassed par
ents. He could not accept favors from
them, knowing all that he knew. He
would have TO tell. a
First of all, he must have II with
Adam Carr. With this thought in mind
he was about to retrace his steps to-
ward the square in quest Of the detec-
tive. when Mary's voice called to him
from the window Of their cottage.
He hesitated. The voice Of his sis
ter had a strange effect on his new
made resolve. What would all this
meal to Ter? Suppose that Adam Carr
turned against him; suppose that his
friend denied him In order to protect
himself from the wrath of Horace
Blagden? N
These thoughts were racing through
his brain when Mary came but upon
the doorstep M called to him:
Eric, don't go away. Mr.. Carr Is
waiting here to see you He has heard
that Chetwynd Is In Rio Janerio
and" -
With a mad cry, Eric dashed up the
walk. sweeping her aside as he crossed
the porch. The next instant, he stood
Carr, with blazing eyes and quivering
lips. ~ -