Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-06-30
CHAPTER X.-(Continued).

everything to lose and nothing to gain
The editor got very drunk-and he
hadn't been drunk In 10 years-ands sent
his %ir1potent lamentations to heaven or
more than one street He desired
all Corinth to know that ne couldn't
help himself. That was the curse OF
running a newspaper in a small town.
His hands were tied. But he vas able
to give an excellent demonstration tina,
his tongue was not tied-that is to say,
not properly tied.
Before nightfall OF that memorable
day. the population Of Corinth, from ex
treme youth to doddering old age, knew
that Chetwynd Blagden had robbed the
Dank and a fled, under cover of
night. to join a vile temptress in New
fork-a vampire in the shape of a
woman Moreover, everyone knew that
Horace Blagden q gone up to the
Giants Castle"-(ghastly misnomer's
at noon and had lot been seer outside
its doors since. Hundreds of people
went out of their way to walk past the
mouse during the afternoon, casting fur
tive glances at the windows. Officials
OF the bank and of other concerns in
which he was interested, telephoned to
the house. n each in turn was told
that Mr.. Blagden could see no one. nor
would he speak with anyone.
Nj. Presbrey approached the house
ct 6. confidently expecting to be admit
ted. He was turned away by the soul
faced Martha. much to his surprise. A
couple OF curious witnesses at the gate
below hurried eey. snickering over
The ministers #. Mr.. Presbrey
walked Very 81 p the street, dimly
conscious of q So. evasive sense of Ella
don. admittedly unbecoming a man Of
his parts, but singularly insistent, just
the N At his own dinner table that
evening he confided certain beliefs 20
MS wife. chief among them being the
opinion that Mr.. Blagden was narrow.
He even went SO far as to question that
gentleman's attitude toward the unfor-
tunate children of Mary Midthorne.
Chickens come home to roost," OBJ
served Mr.. Presbrey, a remark which
may appear vague to the reader Of
these lines. but not so to Mrs. Pres
brey. on whom the inference was not
wasted.
Neither of the Midthornes was seen
on the streets that day. They kept
close to the house, and they spoke in
undertones. All through the long af-
tern0on. they wandered through the
tomb like house, occasionally pausing
IN the hallway near the closed door of
Ineir uncie's room to listen for sounds
from within. Sometimes they wondered
II the two people who confined them
AS00 VA 11ltCs Ouly
at rare intervals were signs OF life ap-
parent, such. AZ the shifting of a chair,
or h tread OF slow moving feet. or
the sharp tapping Of finger nails on
the arm OF a well known rocker. in
which their uncle was wont Z o sit.
MI. Blagden. on his return from the
q at noon. had gone directly up
stairs, followed by his wife. Ten min
utes later he emerged alone. He or
0AHAn Shn AaRNa tto 20 ~vn - 49, a
prary. and there, In the presence of
the Midthornes. he nnnouncsd to the
estonished household that his son had
tr~ansgressed he law and was no long
g. 2 member of the family. He gave no
"Details, knowing full well that they
would be supplied by willing tongues
DeIore the day WAS over. more expan-
.,veIy IMAM ne could have presented
tnem even IL he had been inclined 70
otoop to the tack.
may go now" he said e1rf1y.
20 gaping audience. composed OF O
pAFlor maid. waitress, gardener and
stable man. He had said am that he
intended to say. Bear IN mind what
I nave said about mentioning my sons
name IN this house. or in the presence
OF MS mother or myself. 1t Is possible.
even likely. that he may be a~pprehend.
ca and-er. ahems-broug4t back to
Corinth. II such should be the casr.
I SNAIL not deny him the right to seek
counsel and the help OF the two persons
VAC are responsible for his coming into
TINS world. This Ii his home when he
g 90 come back to 1t In humilfty
a10 c0ntrttenees. But az long as he
elects voluntarily to remain q furittvs,
IN 0ntcast. you might say.-duat 10
!onS shall he be regarded rs an enemy
20 this household. am his father III
~ comes 10 me Tor help. for saupporf-