Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-08-18
an III nm
IlIl IN I'M
cHAPTER xv-(continued.)

AV-(COnttnued.)
by the way" interrupted his uncle
calmly, I'D like you to keep it a secret
tor a day or two. The deeds are being
prepared by Mr.. Graves. Tomorrow
perhaps, I'll give it to the Courier. 1
believe newspaper men would call it
a scoop, or a beat, which it it? At any
rate. Wen supply the paper with
editorial food for a month of more, eh.
Blagden breakfast food, eh?"
He clapped the bewildered Midthorne
on the back and laughed his driest
cackle. He was the same old Horace,
after all,-the same old egoist.
Il can't believe it," murmured Eric,
forgetting his own troubles in the face
Of this ~stupendous philanthropy that
a to hang over the heads of the Cor
hthlans till h crack of doom.
you'll see, my boy, you'll see," said
his uncle. Come over his evening
and We'll discuss the plans. 1 have an
idea or two myself, and so has your
That l purpose making Presbrey the
librarian in CHARGE"
Again Eric stared. why, 1 thought
II dare say he'll try to decline the
honor at first" said Horace blandly,
but we shan't accept no from any nan
20 far as this undertaking is concerned.
On, by the way, will Mary come to
church on Sunday?"
YES" said Eric. Are you sure you
want me to undertake a job as huge
RS"
NO one else will be considered" said
Horace with finality.
They had come to the stairway lead
Ing up to the editorial rooms of the
Cornfth Courier. With a grave bow to
Eric. Mr.. Blagden turned to mount
them, first glancing up at the window
from which the publisher was peering.
He thinks I'm coming for the rent
said Horace. Good day, Eric"
In a maze Of mingled wonder and
distress. Eric made his way homeward.
He was filled with wonder over his
uncle's amazing act of generosity, dis
tressed over the new complication that
was about to be forced Upon him. Out
ton of Horace Blagden's true motive in
giving this great edifice to the city of
Corinth. 1t was not for the AXE of
the name of Blagden alone, but as a
penance to his own disturbed con-
science.
It was his way of measuring expia-
ton.
But how utterly impossible it would
be for Eric to accept this tribute! His
heart was full. He understood his
uncle. n hi pitied him. The great
man of Cornith was striving to right a
wrong that now seemed trivial to the
young man. Compensation; hat was
all it meant to Horace Blagden-a
splendid recompense. He could think
OF no other way to pay so handsomely
as this. The world would never know
the true meaning Of the gift to Cor
NTH. yet he would be square with it.
There was something truly pathetic in
his method: pathetic because his own
self qualification was a secondary con-
dition despite all outward appearances
AS Eric entered his own little door
yard, the passive resolution that has
been gently Juggling at his conscience
for years leaped into violent protest
had come when he could no longer
maintain silence. The truth would
have to be told.
He could no longer watch the suf-
fering Of those silent. harassed par
ents. He could not accept favors from
them knowing all hat he knew. HI
would have to tell.
First of all. he must have it out with
Adam Carr. With this thought in mind
he was about to retrace his steps to-
ward the square in quest OF the detec-
tive. when Mary's voice called to him
from the window Of their cottage.
He hesttated. The voice IF his sis
ter had a strange effect on his new
made resolve. What would all this
mean to her? Suppose that Adam Carr
turned against him; suppose that his
friend denied him in order to protect
himself from the wrath Of Horace
Blagden?
These thoughts were racing through
his brain when Mary came out upon
he doorstep and called to him:
Eric. don't go away. Mr.. Carr is
waiting here to see you. He has heard
that Chetwynd is in Rio Janerio
and"
With a mad cry. Eric dashed up the
walk. sweeping her aside as he crossed
in the little sitting room, facing Adam
Carr. with blazing yes n %quivering
lips.