The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-08-19

rocked back and forth on the frail littie
sofa, clinging to each other as IL fear
ing the presence OF someone who Stood
ready to drag them apart forever.
II did kill a man." groaned Eric at
last. They said / would, Mary"
Don't, Eric! Please don't!"
"Godl" burst from his tortured Hps.5
Adam Carr turned at this. For a.
minute he watched them through mar
row eyes, then walked over to take his
stand before them.
Eric looked up at him, duly.
Tell her I've told the truth, Mr..
Adam-the honest truth" he begged.
You've made an utter fool OF your
self" remarked Adam, but In q way
that was not unkindly.
Mary looked up in angry amazement.
Her moist eyes swept h figure of the
speaker with a look that would have
shrivelled a less imperturbable person
than Adam Carr.
How dare you say that to my
brother?" h cried.
Adam smiled, almost approvingly.
I'm not so sure that he's a fool after
all, Mary. The secret is safe with ~.
NOW, IT you love him, help me to pro-
tect him against this idiotic thing he
calls a conscience-or maybe it's honor.
sorry he has told you all this. Not
that It could be dragged out of you,
my girl. with red-hot tongs. but that
doesn't help matters. You
7 am glad he has told me-" she
claimed. IF isn't right that he should
bear it alone. Oh. Eric, 1t you had only
told me years ago! I could have helped
you, l could have comforted you. Why
prepoSterous!"
Were agreed on that said Adam.
siderate?"
Mary shuddered. Eric. I am 80
afraid of Uncle Horace. He will be
very bitter. He may
See here, Mary" he broke in, COM
ing to his feet with renewed resolution
in his face, you're not going to stand
in my way, are you? You're not going
to side with MI. Adam, are your II
that's what you're thinking of, let me
to Uncle Horace this evening"" Turn
ing to Adam, he said with absolute
finality: You may do as you choose,
Mr.. Adam, so far as backing me up is
concerned"
Adams smile was a wry me-. Il
don't occupy a very creditable position
in the matter, my boy. Please don't
overlook that little point. See here"
with sudden vehemence: do you think
you're playing fair with me? Where
does this leave me? I did the best I
could for you, and now you break
faith. I did not expect it Of you"
You nave done a great deal for me-"
said Eric abjectly. You must consider
me an ingrate."
Not exactly that. I can understand
how 0 feel. It's not unnatural. You
see, you're not morally guilty OF a
crime. It's irksome to live as If you
were. I admire you courage, our
ut isn't courage" cried Eric. TITS
cowardice! Good heaven, do you think
that If 1 was as brave as you are I'd
go into a funk like this? No; I'm a
coward. I can't face the music any
longer. I've lost my nerve. Why,
Of those sad eyes. every time Uncle
Horace forgets himself and lets the
lines set about his lips, I shudder all
over. I'm a coward, that's all there is
to it."
81 shouldn't say that" said Adam
quietly.
We'll, it's the TRUTH"
II still maintain that my way is
best" said the detective. you'd bet
ter let me see you out Of the woods,
Eric. I'm used to it.; I'm quite ca
pable. The minute I tell them that
they'll be transformed. It's anxiety,
dread, uncertainty that's doing the
work for them now. Once they know"
NO." said Eric firmly, "it's got to be
my way"
(which means, in other words, that
you var to get rid Of me as a mill
stone"
YES, Mr.. Adam, that is one of the
reasons"
Carr shrugged his shoulders. .Then.
I've nothing more to say"
But o will tell Uncle Horace just
how 1t happened, won't you?" cried
Mary a%nxiously.
He did not reply at once. but sat
down in the rocker q few feet away,
with his elbows on the arms Of the
chair, facing them. Although his face
did NJ betray the fact that he was
perturbed. an Involuntary movement Of
the hands served to betray him. He
took his pipe fro mis- pocket and had
it almost to his lips before he be-
thought himself and restored the dis
place.
Mary was watching the set, hard
features with narrowing eyes, in which
hope and fear struggled for supremacy.
Eric. with his and damned into his
pockets, started Eullenly down At the
man.
Give me time to think" .muttered
Adam Carr.
you surely will not desert him now
implored Mary. Her hand went forth
in search Of Eric's. Not meeting 1t, the
tense fingers clutched the skirt Of his
coat in a frenzied grip.
(Conttnued next week.)
Leaves a Bad Taste.
From the Wichita Beacon.