The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-09-02
ORDEAL OF DAVID HUME
BY L. Hughes.
Britain Rights Reserved,


vas sitting In a comfortable arm chat by
= blazing fire one cold December day
The room and its occupant were well
suited to each other; they were both
clothed in excellent taste. handsomely,
10th impressed the observer with an idea
II riches without o~stentation.
A man of medium height with q
thoughtful, clever face, entered the room,
He looked about 40. but really he was
'npidly nearing his 50th year.
oh. David" cried Mrs. Craven, coming
10 meet him with both hands outstretched
Il am SO glad you have come; feared
something might prevent you, and I real
" must have a talk with you today"
"You know I am always at liberty on
3 Friday. for my weeks work Is done by
then, and there is only my pleasure to
consider" be replied In a musical voice.
Yes, / know; but when one particular
~ wants n thing. all sorts OF unexpected
accidents crop up 70 prevent II. Also, I
must beg you to forgive me for dragging
YOU away from your real pleasure, our
etching
No no, Eleanor-rny real pleasure is
to be OF service TO my friends. Tell me
now, wha is troubling your
And he seated himself, drawing up his
chair in the manner OF a man who feels
at home.
But now that he was there, Mrs. Craven
seemed IN no haste to breach the subject
OF her anxiety. Instead, she chatted
pleasantly on Indifferent subjects till the
tea was finished and removed.
No. thank . nc lamps yet and the
soft-footed domestic withdrew.
II think one can talk better by the fire
light" she explained. half alphabetically,
and David Hume replied:
Your subject seems to cause you en-
ba~rrassmentr"
EsUrh- 49,. A-~-ir-
is about Eta"
There was no movement from the figure
opposite her. half hidden In the char, only
a sort of tense stiffness.
81 am troubled about her" went on
Mrs. Craven. hurriedly; "she has refused
Charlie Mowbray for the second time"
There was a short silence, and then
David said:
Why does hat trouble your
He Is a charming young fellow and
very much in love with her; he would
make her an excellent husband. It Ia
most provoking that she should refuse
h any girl would jump at,
One thousand pounds a year. and
last word almost g. sigh.
Wen" she replied. the one thousand
pounds q year is not to be despised,
though I should not dream OF urging the |
IL It were only that, but we
known him so long and he is so
thoroughly a good fellow. John says SO,
ana you know the value he puts on char
What does John think about it?'
Mrs. Craven leaned forward.
II says IL she can find her happiness |
with Charlie he would be very pleased.
but ne is not going to speak to her about
it-that IL q woman affair."
Surely You don't want me to do SO fs
crtp6 naNtd In on o3o~rn~I a. l
Yes, I do" replied Mrs. Craven firmly.
t~Listen""-and she enjoined silence by
up her hand. You know that
six month g Jehn found out that his
partner had been embezzling money. |
Well, the bank could not afford a scandal,
the partnership was dissolved, and John
has to pay back all the money that young |
Hilton had taken. The world must mot
guess. for sheuid there be a sudden de-
on the bank 1t must close, there
fore we still Live like this, and she waved |
her hand cornprehensiyeIy. you alone
know of this affair. and II you think, you
SEQ how important 1t Is that Eta
can settle nothing on her, and should the
secret leak out the crash may come at
moment"
David was gazing thoughtfuIly at the
Gre, and made no reply.
You know . great influence you
a always had with the child
Surely Eta IL a woman now. and |
there Was an unwonted sound Of impa-
tience in his voice.
She Is only 20" urged the woman Of So, |
In the eyes OF the law she is not old
enough to sign away money: why should |
she be any more at to throw away the
Intangible treasure Of an honest ypung
fellows lover
David smiled at the argument.
Well, what does Eta say herself?'
What excuse does she give for such silly
Mrs. Craven glanced at him n~eryous1y.
End then spoke slowly. with her gaze on
the seaping flames.
"She says she might have loved him
not her IDEAL been something very
Notwithstanding older. gravsr deeper,
something Infinitely above her
David heart seemed TO stand still az no
Icrced this question from his lips:
And this ideal-has she found 1t In
real life
She thinks solr replied MrA Craven.
significantly.
The silence grew intense: Ia Dayid,s
there Eaa only the sound Of the
humping OF his heart. which seemed to
him TO grow louder and louder till hi
his companion u,ust hear II. TO
emotion WAS beyond even his salt control
Suddenly HRS. Craven rose and stood
before him, and spoke In = passionats
pleading.
NOW do You ges Why / want you to
speak 10 her1 Poor. foolish child, that II
only way 10 shov her how hopeless
II her dream without letting her know
she haA betrayed her secret. You have
Always been = sort 81 god 70 her from her
cnildh0od, and In your kindness you have
limos made . friend OF her despite her
imra.turs mind. How should she undsr-