Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-11-04
m. nm I'M
MARY MzDTHORNE
GEORGE BARI M~cCUTCHEON
Author of "Graustark," -rruxton King etc
Copyright. 1911. BY Dodd, Mead & Co.
iii I'LL Ill
CHAPTER xx1-(coNT1N11ED,

CHAPTER xXI-(CONTINUED).
Adam Carr was coming to nave tea
WIN them in the evening. Mrs. Payson
ana John waited for him until long
past the hour signifed-one that he
had peen In the habit Of observing as
long as they could r~emember-but as
ne did not appear they sat down with
out MN. She had remarked a curious
oppression in his manner when he
dropped in shortly after the morning
service. He seemed unusually down
IN the mouth" as she expressed it, and
slgnlfcantly inquisitive as to the
whereabouts of her son. He never
spoke of him except as her SON." Aft
er a restless, preoccupied 10 minutes,
gong off for a long walk on Stone
wall. We would be back for tea at
$50 o'clock. When he did not appear
at that hour, nor up to s o'clock, h
suggested to John that he make inquiry
OF old Jabez, and, failing there, in 9TH
er directions.
AT 10 o'clock John met him in the
road, half way to Buds Rock. He was
Slowly walking homeward. The moon
was high and full, and the thick, fam
lllar figure was distinguished for a long
distance on the shell road.
He gave no satisfactory answer to
Johns impatient questions, but testify
said that he had gone off to think
something over where he would not be
disturbed. A matter, he said, that was
OF the gravest Importance. Payson
quite naturally though he had re-
ference to an important piece of secret
service work.
Adam accompanied the young man to
his home, and went In to say good
night to Mrs. Payson and to apologize
Tor his unprecedented rudeness in for
getting tea. He acted so queerly that
Jack insisted on going down to the ho-
tel with him. His eyes were uncom
monty prominent n starry. and his
face was livid; his breathing was hard,
his lips sagged instead of holding the
firm, rigid inc that always marked
them.
He sat ~listless and morose in the big
chair before the fireplace. The night
air from the sea had chilled him to the
marrow. Payson set about to cheer
him up. He began by telling Of Horace
Blagden's remarkable after service
concession. Carr picked up his ears
while John was commenting on Hor-
aces sudden change Of front, and eve
entered into the discussion; specifically,
1t is true, but not without interest. He
advanced the caustic opinion that Mr..
Blagden was as playful a. a tiger, and
as safe to deal with. Nevertheless, he
was keenly interested in Jacks opinion
thai Horace would no longer oppose
the marriage.
One obstacle was left in the way,
John a~nnounced; it would have to be
removed before he could conscientious
ly hold Mary to her promise, which had
been renewed that afternoon in no half
hearted terms. This led up to the
question that lay so heavily in the
lovers mind. What was the nature of
the mystery attending his own origin?
Adams slack lips Strengthened out in
q hard, stubborn line; he briefly de-
clared that there was nothing to tell.
Payson interrupted the look that passed
between the man and the woman, and
flew into a quick passion. He de-
manded the truth from them. The time
had come when even his mothers feel
tngs were not to be spared.
Mrs. Payson began to cry softly. Ad-
am Carr upbraided her, an act so I'M
usual that John at first was rendered
speeches. by a sort Of stupefaction. The
situation was tenSe, dramatic. With a
great dread in his soul, the young man
turned upon his mother and besought
her to tell him the truth, no matter
what the cost to him or to her.
She shrank away from him, munbling
%piteously. Then, he confronted Adam
Carr. The older mar looked up into
the distorted face Of the pleadei' and
stubbornly insisted that there was
possession of the young man. His man
ner became threatening. Adam con-
tinued to smile, but there was a hunted,
imploring look in his eyes. He seemed
to shrivel up in the chair, to grow
older and weaker as he met the harsh
charges without so much as a word Of
anger or resentment.
Good h%eaven!" cried John savagely.
What is there to laugh at?"
The senseless laughter continued for
a moment, and then died away in a
raucous gurgle. A purplish hue spread
.l~x~ X 49, F~o> -, @,y~~ I-1~~I
his hands dropped Imply from the
arms Of the chair.
A long while afterwards, as John
worked feverishly with the stricken
man. he became dimly conscious of the
words his mother was moaning in his
ear as she, too, leaned over the form Of
Adam Carr, now lying on the bed in
the little room off the parlor.
He is you father, john" she was
saying. BE good to him! Don't let
him die. He is your father. Dc you
hear me? Save him. your own
father!"
The blow had fallen. John Payson
had got the truth at last.
and IT, more devastating shock. He
learned from her lips that the
woman he had always known as
in no wav vas she related to him. The
blow left him dazed, and quite as
powerless as the paralyzed creature on
the bed.
Mrs. Payso herself went forth and
aroused a neighbor. who set Off in
haste to summon DR.. Spooner.
John Payson was like his father in
many ways Among others, he pos
sessed a wonderful power of self-con-
troll. In a surprisingly short time, he
was able to face the crisis with as
much composure and restraint as might
have been expected of Adam Carr under
similar circumstances. 1t was in the
blood.
In the kitchen. while the doctor was
working over the unconscious man in
the bedroom. he stood before the Widow
Payson and listened to a story that
went back 30 years and more. listened
calmly and without Interruptions until
every word of it was told. Then he went
back with her to sit beside the man
who would not acknowledge him but
who loved him so we'll. The father who
would not put the blight upon him..
And now. the morning after, they
again sat by the bedside.
Tell me once more" said John
gently. Just how it was that she-my
mother-came to YOU"