Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER x~x-(coNr1NUED).

It was then h Mary proposed that
h set out for Mrs. Payson's home at,
onca. with the view Of finding Eric.
It WA still early and he was doubtless
there In consultation with Payson, who
wa not to return to New York until
late in the afternoon.
Co.. my dear" said her aunt. Lose
no time. 1t is most imperative"
~ for Eric, we know that he did
not go to the Widow Payson's.
With Judge Bright he entered the
county court house at 10 O'Clock. They
had gone to the office of the lawyer in
Bank street, only to be told by the
clerk that Mr.. Gates Unexpectedly had
been called to the sheriff's office a few
minutes earlier. He did not know the
nature Of the business, but 1t was i'm
portant. as his superior had departed
in haste.
Az they walked down the corridor
they were met by the editor of the
Courier. who came up from the other
entrance, quite out Of breath and Wis
IDLY excited.
Hello" he said. Being an editor, he
was on familiar terms with everyone,
great and small. A justice of the su-
preme cour possessed no terrors eor
him. Morning, Judge. Well, we'll.
Eric. let me congratulate you. Great
piece Of news. All in type by this time,
too. l."
Congratulated" gasped Eric.
Type" calculated Judge Bright.
Sure. Your uncle released it by
phone 10 minutes ago. n told me to
get over here as quickly as l could.
Cortnth will turn over in its grave
when it sees the Courier this evening.
Great guns! Think of a library build
ing bigger than the new paper mill
and straw board works combined,
Why, It's"
Eric's bitter laugh stopped him.
II fancy, Cooper, you'll have an
other bit OF news that will surprise
YOU" said Judge Bright.
Not the wedding announcement"
gasped Cooper. showing how the wind
"rhAt later on" said the
We'll. well, IL do congratulate
you.' said the editor, sticking out his
hand once more. But Eric's eyes were
on the door of h sheriff's office and
he did not see the ink-stained fingers.
In the private office, judge said
the lone deputy in the front office.
"Waitin' for Eric in there. Hare you,
Eric? What's up?"
Mi. Cooper was following the pair
into the private office when the deputy
called out to him:
Private, Joe. Can't go in yet"
I'VE been sent for" retOrted Coop
or, the editor.
guess" said the deputy succinctly.
There were three men in the private
office, all standing. Judge Bright closed
the door. Mr.. Gates, the lawyer, stood
beside the table. confronting the sheriff
n the states attorney. The latter
evidently had been reading aloud the
document which he held in his hand.
The sheriff, a fat little mar with hin
whtskers, was looking over the others
shoulder az the newcomers entered. He
Immediately turned to them, betraying
considerable excitement.
so here you are, M~idthorne,' he
greeted, stepping forward. Gla to
Morning. judge. Well" he affected q
pleasant GRIM guess it won't take
long to fix 1t all up. This is the states
attorney. Mr.. Midthorne. Reckon you
know Mr.. Gates. He is to represent
you, ! believe. Course, I suppose. To
be quite regular, l SHOULD put you I'M
der arrest, Mr.. Midthorne. But what's
derstand each other, l reckon, So"
But / do not understand" cried ERIC
in establishment. How do you happen
to know what ! am here for? How one
knows except
"Oh, Mr.. Biagden's upstairs in the
court room now. waiting for u.s." ex-
planned the sheriff. Got the bond all
ready TO be signed and everything. SO,
don't Worry. Mr.. Collins here has go,
the affidavit drawn-on Information
and belief, amt it?-and as long as
you're satisfied to give yourself up, il
/ wont be necessary for me to have a
warrant. Course the affidavit will have
to be read, and all that, but 1t won't
take long"
My uncle has been here?" gasped
Eric, recovering from his surprise.
Mr.. Gates came forward. He has at
tended to everything, Mr.. Midthorne
You may leave it all in my hands. ]
think VIC will have no difficulty in Sc
curing a speedy trial You-but We
Office" He waved his hand in the
direction Of the states attorney. smiling
blasadly. You see, we can't afford tt
play into h hands Of the enemy
Completely dazed, Eric followed the
men u Of the office and up the broad
steps to the court room. Mi. Cooper
took it upon himself to walk beside the
young man.
What's up?" he whispered eagerly
Whats going on? Put a fellow next
Eric. The-old geezer upstairs ism
thinking Of a divorce. is hep
Good heaven, MOI" exclaimed Dsic
He liked Joe Cooper. Wait a few min
| OteA L can't tell you now,
The court room was quite empty, ex
eept for the presence of a long figure
seated inside the railing, quite close
to the bench, and two bailiffs who con.
vereed lazily at one OF the Window
overlooking Main street.
Despite its deserted appearance. court
was IN session. The judge leaned for
ward to converse in subdued tones with
the man below. He looked up as tn.
group came through the swinging doors
and settled back in his chair to com
pose himself for that typical exposition
Of judicial Indifference that never fails
70 create in the mind OF the laymar
doubt as to whether the court is ASLEEP
or awake, or merely thinking OF some.
thing entirely foreign to the cause be.
fore him. And just when you think he
is sleeping the %soundest, he starts VI
and says something SO pertinent thai
you know he has been listening all TIL.
time. Only it does make n drowsy tc
watch Ii half recumbent court on I
warm day late in the April term. Yol
wonder if he, too, isn't thinking OF
meadow larKs.
Erie. a trifle dazed and bewiidered
stopped just inside h rail. While this
others went forward-that is TO say
with the single exception of the sheriff
who. after severai ~leisurely strides, be-