Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-12-01
n Story

! whole length by that threatening line
of broken glass. judged it to be L:
feet high, so that, eve without the
glass. it would be impossible for any
n to get yer it without assistance
AS l stood there looking at it, resent
ing the threat of hat broken glass, and
bordering the infirmity of character
which such a threat revealed, it sud-
denly struck me that the upper part
of the wall differed slightly from the
part. 1t was a little lighter in
color, a little newer in appearance;
and examining the wall more closely,
l discovered that originally it had been
only eight or nine fee high. and that
the upper part had been added at a
later date-and las of all, of course,
the broken glass!
AS / turne back, at last, toward the
house, / saw someone coming up the
drive. In "a moment, l recognized
Swain, and %quickened my steps.
You made good time" I said.
Yes. sir; l was fortunate in catch
ing an express and not having to wait
for the trolley"
Wed better go into the house." 1
added. Il nave a message for you
a confidential message"
Tic glanced at me quickly, but fol-
lowed silently. as I led the way into
~ q oNOOy a14O ca CAOlky ClOSOO
the door.
"Sit down. / said, and 1 sat down
myself and looked at him.
l had always thought Swain a
handsome. thoroughbred looking fell
low; n I saw that, in the past few
months, he had grown more thor
oughbred looking than ever. His face
was thinner than when he had first
gone to work. for is, there was a new
line between his eyebrows. n the
set Of his lips told of battles fought
and won. A yea ago. it had seemed
natural to call him Freddie. but no one
would think OF doing SO now. His
fathers creditors had not attempted
to take from him his wardrobe
costly and extensive one.so that he
was dressed as carefully. If not
in q way that suggested a
young millionaire, rather than a $15-a-
week clerk. At this moment, his face
was clOuded, and he drummed the arm
OF his chair with ervou fingers. Then
he shifted uneasily under my gaze.
I realized.
You said you had a message for me,
sir" he reminded me.
YES" / said. Have you ever been
out this way b~efore?"
Yes, I have been out this way
humber OI times.
You know this place. them"
Il have heard 1t mentioned, but /
have been here BEFORE"
ID o know whose place that is
mex door to us?"
Yes" and his voice sank to a lower
key. 1T belongs to Warrington
Vaughan"
And you know him."
A one time. l knew him quite well,
sir" and his voice was still lower.
mo doubt" I vent on, more and
very fascinating daughter"
A wave OF color crimsoned his face.
why are you asking me these ques-
tons. Mr.. Lester? 2" he demanded.
Because" ] said. the message I
have Is from that young lady, and is
for a man named Frederic SWAIN
He was on his feet. staring at me,
and all the blood was gone from his
cheeks.
"A message!" he cried. From her!
Marjorie! What is It: Mr.. Les
Here 1t L." I said, and handed him
the letter.
He seized It. took one look at the adj
dress. then turned away to the win
dow n ripped the envelope open. He
unf0lded the sheet OF paper it con-
tanned, and AZ his eyes ran along It,
his face grew whittier still. At last he
raised his yes and stared at me with
the look OF q ma who felt the world
tottering about him.