Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-03-18
an MI MI
MARY MZDTHORNE
EOR BARR McCUTCHEON.
Author Of "iraustark." "Truxton King" etc,
Copyright, 1911, BY Dodd, Mead h Co
l!LI I!lI LuI
Chapter M-Continued.

The scared, timid voice of his little
sister came to him through the keyhole.
He commanded her to &c away to leave
him alone to die. Then they would all
be sorry. Besides. he added, quick to
recognize a peril that might befall her.
she would get a good scolding or worse
" their aunt caught her communicate
ing with him. The littla girl
stood her ground for a few mo-
ments and then went away. He was
better for her visit, however. He was
not alone in the world and friendless,
AFTER all. Mary was his, and he be-
longed to her. He would live for her
that he might in the end die for her.
1t was hen that his volatile, imag-
NATIVE brain began to build romance
out of his ~predicament. He imagined
himself confined in a dungeon by I'M
clutches only the most heroic actions,
the most glorious stratagems would
serve to release him. In the midst Of
these exalted reflections, his aunt
came to the door and unlocked 1t, bid
d1ng him to come forth to his supper.
1T was not a romantic way out Of his
difficulties, but it was a pleasing sum
mons. after all. His vengeance could
walt--till after supper. at least.
Mrs. Blagden uttered q short gasp Of
d1smay on catching q glimpse of his
dirty. blood-stained face.
Go and wash your face at once" she
commanded. you are a perfect fright.
Why can't you keep yourself clean like
Chetwynd? Go at once and get that
horrid blood off your face! Not a
mouthful do you get until you are per-
Iectly clean. Brush your clothes, too.
Don't let your uncle see you looking
like this. He would be shocked"
Here was fresh indignity, a new IN
Justice. The boy looked squarely into
his aunt's eyes for a moment. and she
nus have felt the unspoken reproach
and amazement in his glance.
Il don't want n supper" said Eric
surlily.
"Wash you face, do you hear me?
Your uncle will attend to you later on.
My goodness, to think that q child as
young as o are should have it in his
heart to shed blood. wantonly, cruelty.
as you have done!"
Eric f1ared up. ooh, it's not Chetty's
blood. It's all my own"
Your own? Why. you little rascal,
you know you cut Chetwynd with your
knife. He says SO. There's a horrid
cut on one of his legs. Where is your
knife? Give 1t to me at once! Heavens
Knows what we are to do with you. You
Will XIII somebody, mark my words"
To her surprise, Eric INDUCED in a
broad grin. He was gratifed to learn
that one of his kicks had brought he
blood from Chetywnd's lean shin.
You wicked thing!" cried his aunt,
aghast in h face Of what she was
pleased to regard as malevolent glee.
He lied, Aunt Rena. IL he said I
pulled a knife on him." cried the boy
holly. II never
"Chetwynd does not lie" she inter-
rupted. Make yourself ~presentable at
once. Pastor Presbrey will speak to
you after supper Heavens knows that
something must be DONE"
He and little Mary ate their supper
In the pantry, while Chetwynd, nurs-
Ing q throbbing shin-bone. sat beside
the minister at table and talked of his
afternoon with Virgil.
To illustrate the contrariness of hu-
man nature, the scion Of the house Of
Blagden, down In his heart. envied his
late adversary the joy Of eating in the
butler's pantry, while he was Obliged
70 Sit up and be agreeable to the sane
toady in the long frock coat
and immaculate 'crayat. That Is to saw.
he envied him until the conversation Of
his elders drifted to the recalcitrant
lad In the pantry. Then he was glad
that he was there. Moreover, when
the meal was over and the clerical ap-
petite satisfied for the time being, he
announced to his mother that he was
going to stay in the library and hear
what Mr.. Presbrey INT his father had
to say to Eric and Mary when they
We're hailed up before them for ne
Judgment that was to be passed upon
them before they went to bed thar
night