Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-10-21

at east n confused; he was keeping
something back from her. why do
you look at me so 0ueerly? oh, Jack,
h~e-he-hasn't tried to-" She was ter
rlfied. The ugly suspicion could not be
put into words.
have not seen him. My mother says
he was here last night. when ! was
away. He hesitated for a momen and
then Went on. his ace CHASTITY white.
II would ask you to come in. Mary,
but something terrible has happened
here. You would better go on to Eric
and cave me To look after
Not your mother, Jack?' she cried,
staring.
His eyes fell. Flo Il mon,en his lips
worked painfully, then became rigid.
When he looked up again the utmost
desolation lay in his eyes.
NO. Mary. My father" he said lev-
ely.
She peered ~intently into his eyes. Her
brain MAS absolutely clear.
"fou-Nou mean Every Nestige OF
color had fled from her face.
He dld not permit his gaze To WAIVER,
nor his face to change expression. His
voice fell to Il u monotone.
nj father did not go down With the
LaElgan. He lies there on my bed,
stricken. helpless, perhaps dying. That
is all. Mary. Why ask me to say more"
She cameo against the trellis, trem-
bling III every limb.
1T is true. then she Whispered duly.
He is in there. said he, with dugeed
acquiesccnce.
Adam Care
My father"
They stood there for a long time
looking INTO each others eyes. the mis-.
cry deepening in their faces. He turned
away ct last.
You'd better go away now. Mary"
he said gently. when YOU see Eric
tell him that he won't have TO look lne
up. 1t is all over. He WAS right. | am
not worthy. But good heaven, Mary.
] did not know did not know. !
thought | Was as good us any man liv-
ing, and had the right to love as Other
men love. But, go, for. Gods sake, so.
l cannot bear to have o hear
She advanced. her trembling hand.
pressed to her breast. her eyes dara
with pain and understanding.
Let me come in" she murmurei
family. There is something that !
say to YOU. [ came here to ash
you to help Eric, to be his friend. He
is in great trouble. Let me"
He stood aside. making a for her
to pass. The despair in his face gave
way to a look of genuine concern and
anxiety.
In trouble? What can i do for hima
Let me set about it at once. Perhaps
l can serve him before he learns the
full truth concerning me. After he
Knows. it will be too late. He would
not accept my friendship. Ask me to
die for Sou-or for Eric. il that will
help you-and | will do it gladly. Yes,
j%oyfully.'
She walked into the parlor. Through
her whirlipg brain ran the lines of that
rare old bit OF rhyme: will you walk
into my parlor, said the spider to the
fly. Somehow. she felt that %entanele-
merit awaited her in the dim, shadowy
room-something she would never be
been inside the Widow Payson's home
before. Always, in her minds eye, she
pictured 1t as plain, poor and stiff
lly puritanical. Perhaps it had been all
this another day, but now there Were
signs OF coziness. EEL luxury in q
small way. Her son had not prospered
without the thought of her back OF all
on the floor: quaint old pieces of fur
niture, attractive pictures, cheerful
wall paper, rich window hangings and
portieres. \ tall walnut bookcase stood
over against the wall. filled with vol
umes The girl was dimly conscious Z.
a feeling of relief. II the room hat
Hooked like other parlors she had seer
in Corinth the sense of desolatio,
would have been complete; she woul.
have lost heart.
He closed the DOR gently, ever care.
fullN. She turned to look at him. HI
was pecrins fiSedly at the drawn cur.
tains Of The door that opened into thu
room beyond: the attitude Of n listen
ing. The odor of a familiar and potent
drug was family distinguishable. TIL,
girl experienced a queer feeling of dtz.
ziness. OF nausea.
Where is your mother?" she asked
abruptly.
He drew up d chair for her. but sh,
remained standing.
In Herewith him. he replied
passing his hand over his brow. THE
doctor is there, toe. But tell me. Mary
what is up with Eric? What is it vo,
want me to do?'
He made no effort to embrace her
not even the attempt to take her hant
in his. The omission was significant.
She was staring at lin, a swift,
passing expression OF doubt and won
in her eyen. Hasn't Mr.. Ad-your-
mean. hasn't MIR. Carr told you any
thing?" she asked. She fell into hi
way OF speaking in hushed tones. Fl,
! shook his head, and waited for her t.
go on. Her gaze ~involuntarily went t.
the c%urtained door. He can keep ,
secret" she murmured.
Il am afraid lie is beyond the tell
ing OF secrets was his grim conclu
sion.