The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-09-09
I'LL I'LL I'M
~
CHAPTER XVII-(Continued.1

. D1ull / Az Wal JOu Iidt lIu |
is out there, too, in an iron bound
chest?"
Good heaven! What are you talk
ing about?" cried the other, in genu-
Inc amazement.
Never mind" said Eric, grimly.
what else did he say about-about
me?"
That you as much as accused him
of being my father said Payson, with
wonderful self control.
Il didn't put it just that way. I as
much as accused you Of being his son.
There is a difference"
1T ought to kill you"
"Of course, he denied you," said Eric.
Denied me? Oh, I see. You mean
he disowned me-" said Payson grimly.
Il wonder at your complacency," said
the other. surveying him in no little
admiration.
1T is not the time for anger" was
the calm retort. There is too much
at stake. I have had many lessons In
self restraint. Wall street is a great
teacher and a great leveler Of personal
vanities. I've wanted to kill a good
many men since I went there, Mid
thorne. May I ask what grounds you
have for assuming that he is my ia
ther?"
The resemblance said Eric bluntly.
Payson was silent for a minute or
two. ~Involuntarily his gaze sought the
mirror that hung on he opposite wall.
The room was half dark.
Good God!" he exclaimed, his eyes
suddenly contracting and expanding.
He passed a hand over his own face, as
If to see whether the movement would
be reflected in the looking glass.
you see?" said Eric gently, a great
pity In his heart.
'Tt's-it's incredible! He spoke of
the resemblance, but I had no idea it
was so marked. Why-why, I can see
his eyes, his nose, his"
See here, Jack" broke in Midthorne
impulsively, I'm sorry for all this. l
can't tell you how sorry i am. From
the bottom of my heart, I hope it can
all be cleared up satisfactorily. hope
it Is nothing more than a curious freak
of nature"
Payson turned on him furiously.
my mother is an honest woman she
couldn't have lone the horrible thing
you are accusing her of. Only prosti-
tutss descend to-" He stopped sud-
denly.
Eric had clapped his hands to his
eyes, a deep groan breaking through
his bloodless lips.
The other understood. I'm sorry,
Eric" he muttered, forgetting his own
emotions in contemplation of his COM
panion's sudden pain. Il forgot
Eric cut him off, his pride af1ame. u
don't want your pity, or your explana-
tons, Or"
Payson considerably left his side
and walked to the window. peering ou'
into the night, giving Midthorne time
to recover himself.
After a few minutes Eric spoke.
"How does he account for the re
s~emblance?" he asked quietly.
Pavson returned to his place on the
hearth stone. (" I am willing to dis
cuss these things with you, Midthorne
because you are Mary's brother. ant
because you have a perfect right u
know who and what I am. I'd do jus
as you are doing if I had a sister AM
1t was you who wanted to marry he1
I'd ask questions Of you, just as
"And I'd tell you to go to the devil!
But" went on the other calmly, !
she loved you and you loved her, and
knew you to be an honorable. wei
meaning chap-as you are. Eric
give her over to you in a minute"
81 daresay," remarked Eric blunt!
Payson chose again to ignore an of
fensive remark. B u I would as
questions, as T said before" he wer
on. They would relate to you and no
to the people who brought you int
the world. You ask me how Adam &C
counts for the resemblance. Well, n
doesn't attempt to do so. He knew m
father well. They were boys and me
together. All he will say is that 1 al
like my father, and that my father we
Henry Payson. who lies out there j
the Atlantic. That Is all I can get OF
Of him. I'll confess there's an air
mystery about 1T, greater than eve
now that I've looked squarely into yot
looking glass. My own seems, a mt
less brutal. But he swears on his sou
as he loves mean I know he does
that 1 have nothing to fear. Curiousl
however. he forbids me to question n
mother"
"Aha!" calculated his listener:
Ca. II Il. - M n,nfnCtn5 US0
"How can I go to her with-well' WI
questions?"
His voice shook with the sudden rus
of an emotion that came over MIN
swiftly hat he could not suppress
He turned his back quickly az
clenched his hands in the violent e1to
to regain control of himself.
you can't go to her" cried Erl
casting off all reserve. mot for all II
world. Come. come. Jack, buck u
am the last person in the world TO col
denim you or any other man. If you CO
bring yourself to accept an apolof
from me. I offer it to you here and no.
in NV own house. What is more,
withdraw my opposition so far as W
and Mary are concerned. -.
Payson had whirled and was STARR
at him with incredulous eyes.
IT am not fool enough to ask you
overlook the insults I have offered
went on Midthorne rapidly. you W
consider them worse thar insults WI
you learn the truth about the ma
who 49,
With a glad cry, Jack Pays
stretched out his hands and grasp
Eric's shoulders.
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed, MS eS
aglow you're hipped about som
thing. Don't you uppose can $
there's something wrong? you're Il
yourself. That's why can and do,
overlook the so-cailed insultg nr,n Wv y
can't help being friends. You do,
know how happy / am to hear you 81
that you won't stand sd in the bee way yn Of q
ant to defy you, but that ~,
"Just a moment, Payson" int
rupted Eric. II must tell you thai ma a.
has decided that she can't marry yo
We've talked it over" ur,ov t
"What!" gasped the other, dlsmay.
His law dropped. Impossible! do,
believe it. She loves me. Notnl