Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-15

them that a Blagden was never an OBJ
Ject Of charity. A Blagden would pay
for his own out Of his own. You are
Biagdens, both of you. Today you can
look me in the face and say that you
do not owe me a dollar. You are inde-
pendent, Eric. l have seen to it that
you who came to me against your will,
VINO in my house all these
years because you could not help your
SELF say I've seen to it that you are
under no pecuniary obligation to me.
You have paid me-, out OF your nheri-
lance, for everything you nave re-
ceived, and so has Mary"
Uncle Horace, L"
Just a moment, please. I am not so
penurious as you think. My will has
been made, Eric, these many years. In
1t there is a special clause re-
storing to o every penny of
the money I used in the payment Of
might say. l say it is a special clause,
because during the last year 1 altered
my Will In n other and somewhat vi
tai particular. 1 will not go into that,
however,"
His lean grey face hardened as he
uttered the last sentence; a far away
look came into his eyes.
B ut l can't think Of taking back
began Eric all at sea over the strange
turn of affairs.
You can't help yourself, my boy"
said Horace Blagden, kindly. sit
down here with me on this bench. It's
coo here, and of late the sun appears
to be affecting me oddly. Eric, your
aunt and 1 are proud Of you. In spite
of ourselves we have always liked you
and Mary. If we We're harsh with you,
1t was because we were envious-even
jealous. 1t isn't SO hard to say that.
either. And, believe me, there was a
time when we honestly feared for your
future. That is why" here a thin
smile broke on his lips-"we set Mr..
Presbrey on you. 1 hope you will for
stand me. l believe he did you more
good than you will admit. Well, you
are q. You are going to be a credit to
all OF us--living and dead. Your mid
die name is Blagden, don't forget that.
say we are proud of you. My boy,
1t is more than hat with me. l am
fond OF you. 1 will not say that your
ahem!-as 1 am. I want you to know
that l love you for your fairness, your
~gentleness. your honesty. You are a
good boy, Eric. I would to God you
We're my son."
Eric was dumbfounded. An older
and keener judge Of human nature
would not have been deceived into be-
tS''l6 Shol q 5SAICI OuS illlpQlSc lllONeu
Horace to h a unhappy lament. 1t was
an exposition of the quintessence of
selfishness. He was thinking only Of a
personal gain that had been denied him
in natures distribution. But Eric did
not know this. He was touched by the
unhappy cry from the great mans soul.
A sudden desire came over him to lift
the dreadful suspense that was hang
Ing over his uncle's head.
"UnCle Horace. want To fell Won
something that will make it easier for
you about-Chetwynd. 1t has been a."
Mr.. Blagden turned on him coldly.
Stop right there!" he said without
his voice, out with a look in his
eyes that served better than a shout of
command. "You are not to mention
his name, sir. l have told you so be-
fore. There is nothing you can say
that will make-But there! / am for
getting myself. We will resume our
talk concerning your Investments. They
are safe n sound, and l sincerely hope
You Will aondescend to manage them
as carefully as / have done, as your
guardian. and as you grandfather did
before me. Do not put your fortune
into the hands of the Jews. 1t is safe
enough in Corinth. BY the Jews l mean
the tendrils of New York. They suck
up gold as the plants sue in the dew.
Il hate q Jew. Have you noticed there
- v ~ eNNNo Ia III l
"A Jew couldn't live in Corinth,
uncle said Eric, who hated the town.
He'd starve to DEATH"
His uncle closed one eye and a grim
smile showed Itself family at the cor
ners of his mouth.
Il fancy he would" said he. ut is a
far cry from Corinth to New York"
why shouldn't / leave my affairs in
your hands. uncle, just as they have
been?' Eric observed after a moments
reflection. I'D only ask for a certain
portion Of the income-enough to live
on. you see. Is it asking too much OF
you, Sir?"
Horace laid his hand on the young
mans knee. Il think they would be
safer in my hands than in yours, my
boy. At least, for a few years. 1 will
continue to loo after than for you on
the condition that you ag&ee in writing
to-er-ahem!-to allow me absolute
control over them"
For a certain length of time, SIR
manage for myself when 1 am a little
older"
quite right. Well say Ave years.
You will be married by that time, ]
dare say"
Eric blushed. He had been with Joan
Bright that very morning.
who knows" he unused evasively.
And so 1t was agreed between them
that Horace Blagden was to have con-
troll Of Eric's fortune for d term of
years. A business transaction. pure
and simple, said Mr.. Bladgen. in which
he proposed to serve as agent at a
much lower rate Of compensation than
Eric could hope to obtain from the
Jews. 1t was quite a satisfactory arr
rangement all around, for Eric would
not nav had him act without compen-
sation. Eric was past % when he pre-
have charged up to my WI sisters
pared for the Beaux Arts. He was to
be abroad for at least two years. Long
before he completed his work at Har-
ward. he was promised a commission
his first real work as an architect and
builder.
Judge Bright was. to be his first eli
ent. The young man was to design
and build for him q new and magnifl-
cent home in Upper Corinth. a struc-
ture that would cost no less than $780,
900.
I'D sooner entrust the job to you,
Eric, han to- any OF those chaps In
Boston, with all their training and
prestige" said the judge to the sur
prised n overwhelmed u~ndergradu-
ate. You've got ideas, and that's
what want. Think over the plans
while you're in Paris, and, In case you
write to Joan. who Is the one you'll
have to please after all, discuss them
with her. Shc,srgot IDEAS, too"
OF course, whenathe news got abroad