The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-10-21

at east and confused; he WIS kepfnG
something back from her. Why do
you look at me so Queerly? On, JACK.
he--he-hasn't tried to-" She was ter
rified. The ugly suspicion could not be
put into words.
He made haste to reassure her. Il
have not seen him. My mother says
he was here last night. when was
away" He hesitated for a moment and
then went on. his face CHASTITY white,
II would ask you to come In, Mary.
but something terrible has happened
here. Youtwould, better go on to Eric
and leave me to look after
"Not your mother, Jack?'' she cried
staring.
His eyes fell. For a moment his lips
worked painfully, then became rigid
When ne looked up agFin the utmost
desolation lay in his eyes.
mo, Mary. My father" he said lev
ely. .
She peered intently into his eyes HeI
brain was absolutely clear. .....-,
"You-you mean" Every vestige ol
color had fled from her face. XII
He did not permit his gaze 20 wayer
nor his face to change expression. Hil
voice fell TO a dull monotone.
my father did not go down with tbs
Lanigan. He lies there on my bed
stricken, helpless, perhaps dying. Thai
Is all. Mary. Why ask me to say moreT
She leaned against the trellls, trenl'
bling in every limb. 4.
1T Is true. then" she whispered DULY
he Is In there" said he, with doggec
acquiescence.
adam Car" 80
MY father" .a.. -.
They stood there for a long time
looking into each others eyes, the mis-
cry deepening In -heir faces. He turnet
away at last ~
You'd better 10 away now, Mary,
he said gently. when you see Eric
tell him that he won't have to look IN.
up. II 10 all over. He was right. an
not worthy. But good heaven, Mary
did not KNOW did not know!
thought was as good as any man liv'
ing. and had the right to love az Other
men love. But, go, for Gods sake, 60!
7 cannot bear-to have you hear" ~.
She advanced, her trembling hand,
pressed TO her breast. her eyes daTS
with pain and understanding.
Let me come In" she murmuret
! family. There II something that
must say to you. came here TO asl
you to help Eric, to be his friend. Fl
In in great trouble. Let me"
He stood aside, making way for he
to pass. The despair In his face gave
way to a look OF genuine concern and
anxiety. - .s
''In trouble? What can 1 do for him.
Let me set about II at once. Perhaps
can serve him before he learns tn,
full truth concerning me. After h,
knows, II will be too late. He woulC
not accept my friendship. Ask me q
die for you-oC for Eric, IL that vii
help you-and viii do II gladly. Yes
Joyfully."
She walked into the parlor. Through
her whirlinR brain ran the lines Of tina
rare old bit OF rhyme: will you wall
into my parlor. said the spider to tn,
n.y." Somehow. she felt that entangls
meIt awaited her in the dim, shadow,
room-something she would never b
able to escape from. She had neve
been inside the widow Payson's hom
before, Always. In her minds eye, sh
had pictured II az plain, poor and stiff
1 ly purttanical. Perhaps It had been a
this another day, but now there wer
| sig7ssl of eoziness. r.even luxury In
small way. Her son had not prospere
without the thought of her back Of o.
his gains. There were handsome rug
on the floor; quaint old pieces OF fur
niture. attractive pictures, cheerfl
wall paper, rich window hangings an
portieres. A tall walnut bookcase stoo
over against the wall, filled with vol
umes. The girl was dimly conscious {
q feeling OF relief. If the room ha
looked like other parlors she had see
in Corinth. the sense of desolatio
would have been complete; she woul
have lost heart.
He closed the door gently, even care
fully. She turned to look at him. H
was peering ftxedly at the drawn cur
tains OF the door that opened into tn
room beyond: the attitude Of one listen
ing. The odor OF familiar and poten
drug was family dlstinguishable. TIL
i girl experienced q queer feeling OF diz
Illness, OF nausea.
Where IL your mother?" she aske
abruptly.
He drew up chair for her, but sh
remained standing.
I'm Herewith him." he replied
passing his hand over his brow. 18th
doctor II there. too. But tell me, Mary
what Is up with Eric? What Is 1t yo
want me to dor"
He made no effort to embrace heI
not even the attempt to take her han
In his. The omission was significant.
She was staring at lin, a swift
| passing expression Of doubt and won
in her eyes. Hasn't Mr.. Ad-your-
mean, hasn't Mr.. Carr told you any
thing?" she asked. She fell into hi
way Of speaking In hushed tones. II
shook his head, and waited for her I
Egop on. Her gaze 'involuntarily went I
the curtained door. HE can keep
secret" she murmured.
II am afraid he 10 beyond the tell
ing OF secrets" was his grim conclu