Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-09
Ill III iii

make. I'm going to give it to the world
tomorrow, but o shall AVE it first of
ALL"
Back in the little dining room the
single maid-of-all-work was laying the
table. With the opening and closing
of the kitchen door there came subtly
into the front part of the house the
fragrant aroma of boiling coffee.
"A confession?" demanded Payson,
all at sea over the riotous turn his
emotions had taken. "Wha can you
have to confess?"
The door of the hall opened sud
denly. Mary stood before them, look
ing from one to the other With dark,
questioning eyes. She had heard the
last few words of Eric's speech from
behind the partly opened door, as she
paused there for a final touch to her
hair. A dainty, exquisite housegoWn
of pink enveloped her slender figure.
II has no confession to Make she
protested shrilly. GO away, Jack,
please go away. l must talk with him
alone
Both men started forward, actuated
by totally different impulses.
I'll go, Mary, if you ask it Of" be-
a one, with an eloquent tenderness
in his voice. He felt rather than I'M
derstood the gravity of the situation.
"Wait!" demonstrated the other. It's
only fair to Jack, Mary. I've asked him
to stay. But it must be settled before
hand, whether he is with me or against
me. Please go back to our room. dear,
until I've"
NO." she said firmly, advancing into
| the room. Jack, dear, If you love me,
| go!"
Payson looked from one to the other,
in plain distress.
eff he really loves you, he'll stay and
! hear what 1 have to say. That will be
the test said Eric.
will you go. Jack?" she pleaded,
coming up to him and putting her
hands on his arms.
Certainly" he said.
Eric. in dumb wonder. watched him
| slip into the storm coat he had dis
carded the moment before. He offered
no further resistance to his departure,
but seemed literally to shrink into the
background, although, in plain truth,
he did not move an inch from the spot
on which he stood.
Mary walked to the door with her
lover. There he turned and put his
strong hands on her shoulders. He
made no vulgar display of his love; and
it was a great, masterful love. His
eyes alone caressed her.
"I'n come tomorrow, Mary. What
eve it is that distresses you-and Eric.
too--thresh it all out tonight. It's bet
ter that you should. Then, e heart,
when I come tomorrow I shall be able
to help you. Ask anything of me. I
am our slave. Good night. Good
night, Eric"
He passed out into the night, gently
closing the door behind him. For a
moment she stood where he left her,
stared dumbly at the closed door. The
sound Of his footsteps crossing the
porch came TO her. then the brisk
tread On the gravel walk.
She put her arms against the door
and laid her head upon them, burying
her face. For a long time she held this
sound in the room. Eric was watching
her inertly. The maid Of all work
dropped a knife on the dining room
floor. They did not hear it strike.
At last she raised her face, looking
straight aoove her, as if to heaven.
After a moment. she turned to her
brother.
You must change your clothes,
Erie. Dinner will be ready in a few
minutes" she said YEARLY.
you've just got to be happy" he
cried from the very depths of his tor
tured soul. my poor, brave little
Mary"
She smiled wanly. Dear old Errie!'
=
Hours afterward. they sat before the
CHEEKY fireplace, silent, reflective, de-
pressed. 1t had been a sorry meal, that
dinner of theirs. The garrulous New
England servant, old for her years
which We're surprisingly few as things
go in old New England-gave up all eff
forts to draw the master and mistress
into conversation. Never before, in all
her time as "help," had she failed so
utterly to inspire communicativeness
1t certainly vas unsetting. Her name
was Lizzie-a New England Lizzie, at
that. An Elizabeth by any other name
would nave smelled a rat.
No word had passed between brother
and sister for tho matter of an hour
or more. Her hand lay clasped in his
on the arm of the chair he occupied.
Their thoughts were their own. She
had kissed him when he announced his
decision to put no obstacle in the way
Of John Payson's courtship.
Suddenly there came a rapping at
the door, a gentle, measured tapping
that rose distinct above the boisterous
bedlam Of the winds.
A sort Of terror took hold Of them
The hand clasp frightened, their eyes
grew wide with wonder and alarm.
eyes, motionless in the chairs, Their
hearts humping loudly; waited for the
ghostly sound TO be repeated. Eric's
ears, strangely enough, were strained
to catch the sound Of a we'll remem-
bered laugh.
Again the tapping, Stlll gentle but q
little more imperative. They turned
their faces toward the door. Their eyes
were glued to the prim white knob. II
turned. and the door was slowly pushed
ajar.
A tall figure stood on the threshold
outlined against the blackness beyond
A gaunt, thin figure that waited there
for a word Of welcome from within.
The picture held for a minute. Their
Eric sprang to his feet with a cry, more
Of relief than surprise.
Uncle Horace!"
Involuntary Mary glanced at the
clock on the mantelpiece. The thought
uppermost in her mind was revealed
in that significant act. What was Hor.
ace Blagden doing abroad at this time
of night? At $3.50. and such a night as
this! She started forward impulsively
What has happened, Uncle Horace?'
she cried. These were the first words
she had spoken to him In many weeks
May I com in?" asked Horace
rather humbly-for him. He looked
thinner, more ascetic than ever before
in the long black raincoat and the
white kerchief that protected his throai
from the shrill winds. His tall ha1
seemed to set lower on his head; his