The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-09-30


think ne would lie to save me or him
self
mo" said Horace grimly, Adam
Carr would not lie. He hateg me too
well to lie to me. The truth always
hurts worse than lie, and he knows IL.
believe you. Eric. You have never
been anything but honest. 1t isn't that.
It's the other thing. The long years
we've been allowed to suffer"
"You would have sent me to the gall
lows IL you had known all this FIVE
years ago. You were different You
would have had no mercy, no pity In
those days" II.
you think I've changed? You were
not afraid to risk confession today. 10
that it?" ...
mo. no." cried Eric hastily. II
don't mean that. But I was afraid al
the time. Afterwards II was too late
| but I've said all this before. Why
go over II again. i am the confessed
| slayer Of your son, my own cousin. Now
I ask to be given a fair trial. just
hearing. That's all"
Mr.. Blagden said nothing for a few
moments. He was studying the young
mans face.
You came out with the truth be-
| cause you were sorry for u.s." he said at
/ last. Because you wanted to end our
suffering and suspenseT'
Yes" said Eric. Il could have gone
forever without telling IL had SO de-
sired"
| And you were not afraid that some
day Adam Carr would betray you? You
have never felt that he mad a weapon
to hold over you and to strike II he
saw fit. to suit purposes of his ownT'
/ Eric hesitated. mo. rye never really
been afraid of Adam Carr. II I had
been afraid Of him I should never have
L A. a
| hold II over my head, but--well here
am. sir. was not afraid OF him."
1T had to do with Mary and John
Paysonr
yes. 1 will be frank"
You told US the truth because you
were sorry for us-because-" His
voice faltered. Because you loved us
after all and could not let 1t go on any
longer"
Conscience had nothing to do with
It? The fear Of God was not In your
hearth"
Eric did not hesitate. mo. My con-
| science, SO far as the death Of Chef
wynd Is concerned Is clear. l had no
fear Of God, for God was my witness
Mr.. Blagden again laid his hand on
his nephew's shoulder.
rs It love or pity7" he asked. his
voice shaking.
Eric was honest. He looked squarely
into his uncle's eyes.
Il don't know, sir. / can't explain.
I used to hate you and Aunt Rena.
do not hate you now. Somehow,
have changed"
Somehow. we have changed" said
Horace, correcting him. I'VE should
not have expected you to love us, when,
God forgive me for saying it-when
our own son did not love us. Do not
interrupt. II he had loved US he would
not be where he Is today. My boy
will not say to you now that forgive
you. II Is not yet in.my heart to do
so. must have 1t all out with myself
with God as my counsellor. You took
the life OF my son. You-Rena, BEG
OF you'll"
Mrs. BIagden had risen, and stood
4 wavering before the two men. on tho
verge of utter collapse. She put out
her hand and touched her husbands
arm.
II want to be alone with you, Horace
Will you conner" she said duly.
Yes, yes" he cried, putting his arm
around her shoulders. I'VE will 60, we
will CO. my dear"
directly to Eric. Eric. you should moi
have let your uncle suffer all these
years. II was cruel Of you to"
Come. come. my dear" broke in Mr.
Blagden, unsteadil-- you were this
great sufferer. II was going about
among men all the time You sat here
alone and-rnv God! How long tho
years have been! My dear. my dearI
How long we have waited together. you
and II"
He broke down completely. with
the frail form Of his wife clasped tight.
lv to his breast. he lowered his head
until his face was buried In the silk en-
white hair.
Erick's lips moved In a mute appeal
his hands went out toward them and
then fell to his sides. With a dry
racking sob in his throat he turned
away, staggering blindly toward the
window. Mary came up with him
quickly. She slipped her arm about his
shoulders and whispered words Of COM
fort and hope.
The shuffling of unsteady, dragging
feet drew their visual attention once
more to the pair at the other end OF
the room. Mr.. Blagden had started ia
leave the library; he was making his
way toward the door with the bent
figure Of his wife at his ide, his arm
about her waist for support. The old
mans head was held high and his eyes
were set.
Eric sprang forward to assist him
but was waved aside. Humbly the
young man walked before them and
opened the door for them to pass out
into the hall.