The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-12-02


worthy Of her. and that nobody knows
II better than I do. There are thous-
ands OF men who could offer her far
more than / can, and who would be
eager to Offer 1t. But when / asked
her 70 marry me, though myself the
son OF O wealthy man. When / found
myself a pauper, wrote at once to re-
lease her. She replied that when she
wished her realese, she would ask for
IT,; that 1t wasn't my money she was
In love with. Then l came out here
and had a talk with her father. He
was kind enough, but pointed out that
the affair could not go farther until
l had established myself. l agreed, Ga
course; l agreed, too, when ne sc~-
gested that il would only be fair to her
to leave her free-not to see her or
write to her, or try to influence her in
any way. l wanted to be fair to her.
Since then, I have not seen her, nor
heard from her. But her fathers feel
ings have changed toward me-"
I'm what way?"
Il thought he might be interested to
knew what 1 was doing. and two or
three months ago, 1 called and asked
to see him. Elstead of seeing me, he
sent word by black faced fellow in
white robe that neither he nor his
daughter wished to see me again"
His face was red with the remem-
bered humiliation.
Il wrote to Miss Vaughan once, after
that" he added, but nay letter was not
answered"
Evidently she didn't get your let
ter"
why do you think so7'' ....l
IF she had got il, she would have
known that you were no longer at 1910
| Fifth avenue, Her father, no doubt,
| kept IL from her" .... .
He flushed still more deeply, and
started to say something, but / held
him silent. ... ...
said. You had promised not to write
| to her. And 1 don't see that you have
| given me any reason why l should as
sist you against him." ...
Il haven't" Swain admitted more
calmly, land under ordinary circum-
stances, my self respect would COM
! pei me to keep away. I am not
| fortune hunter, but can't keep away;
I can't stand on my dignity. When
| she calls for aid, must go to her, not
! for my own sake but for hers, because
she needs to be protected from her
! father far more than from me-"
What do you mean by that?" I de-
manded.
MIR. Lester" he said, leaning for
ward in his chair and speaking in a
| lowered voice and with great earnest
ness. her father is mad am sure Of
it. No one but a mailman would live
! and dress as he does; no one but a
| to the study Of the supernatural; no
| one but a mailman would believe in
the supernatural as he does"
| But l shook my head.
I'm afraid that won't do, Swain. A
good many fairly sane people believe
in the supernatural and devote them
| selves. 10 'ts study-there is William
| 7. s1,oaS For YysLfAyfAe ...,.. gu. ..,,.
| But William James doesn't dress IL
| flowing robes. and worship the sun,
| and live with Hindu mystic"
mo" l smiled. "he doesn't do that"
and / thought again of the mysterious
light and of the two white clad figures.
Does he live with Hindu mystic?'
| YES" said Swain, bitterly. IAN
adept, or whatever they call it. He's
| the fellow who kicked me out"
Does he speak English?''
Better than do. He seems a finely
educated man."
| rs he a lunatic, too?"
Swain hesitated.
| ~I don't know" he said, finally. IT
only saw him once. and l was certain
| ly impressed-I wasn't one, two, three
| with him. l suppose mysticism comes
more or less natural to a Hindu; but
I'm convinced that Mr.. Vaughan has
softening Of the brain.
How old Is he?"
About co."
Has he always been queer?"
He has always been in
terested in telepathy and
mental. suggestion, and all that
sort OF thing. But before his wife's
death he was fairly normal. 1t was
her death that started him on this su-
pernatural business. He hasn't thought
of anything else since"
Are there any relatives who could
be asked to interfere?"
None that know Of"
| thought over what he had told me.
well, II said at last, Il can see no
harm in your meeting Miss Vaughan
| and finding out what the condition of
affairs really is. If her father is really
mad, he may be a good deal worse now
than he was when you saw him last
1t would. of course. be possible to have
| his sanity tested-but his daughter
would scarcely wish to do that"
| mo, of course not" Swain agreed.
Her letter tells you nothing?"
Nothing except that she 10 In great
| trouble, and wishes to see me at once"
| You are to go to the house2"
No; there is an arbor In one cor
ner OF the grounds. She says that she
will be there at 1850 every night for
! three nights. After that she says It
will be no use for me to come-that It
viii be too late"
| what does she mean by too later /"