Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-30
think he would lie to save me Or him

think he would lie to save me or him
self
No said Horace grimly, Adam
Carr would not lie. He hates me too
well to lie to me. The truth always
hurts worse than a lie. and he knows it.
been anything but honest. 1t isn't that.
It's the other thing. The long years
We've been allowed to suffer-"
You would have sent me to the gall
lows If you had known all this five
years ago. You were different. You
would have had no mercy, no pity in
those days"
You think I've changed? You were
not afraid to risk confession today. is
that it?"
NO. no." cried Eric hastily. q
don't mean that. But l was afraid at
the time. Afterwards it was too lat>.
I-but I've said all this before. Why
slayer OF your son, my own cousin. o
l ask to be given a fair trial, a just
hearing. That's ALL"
Mr.. Blagden said nothing for a few
moments. He was studying the young
mans face.
You came out with the truth be-
cause o were sorry for us" he said at
last. Because you wanted to end our
suffering and suspense?"
Yes" said Eric. L could have gone
forever without telling if l had SO de-
sired.'
And o We're not afraid that some
day Adam Carr would betray you? You
have never felt that he had a weapon
to hold over you and to strike If he
saw fit. to suit purposes of his own?"
Eric hesitated. NO. I'VE never really
been afraid of Adam Carr. If 1 had
been afraid Of him l should never have
come to you with the truth. He did
hold IL nI-ar NV had hut wall 1,aro r
am. sir. l was not afraid of him.
ut had to do with Mary and John
Payson?'
Yes. l will be frank"
You told us the truth because you
were sorry for us-because-' His
voice faltered. Because you loved us
after all and could not lei it go on any
longer?"
Yes"
Conscience had nothing to do with
1t? The fear of God was not in your
hearth"
Eric did not hesitate. NO. My con-
science. so far as the death of Chef
wynd is concerned is clear. i had no
fear of God. for God was my Witness"
Mr.. Blagden again laid his hand on
his nephew's shoulder.
rs 1t o or pity?" he asked, his
voice shaking.
Eric was honest. He looked souarely
AiAS lis j . YES.
Il don't know, sir. 1 can't explain.
l used to hate you and Aunt Rena. ]
do not hate O now. Somehow, ]
have changed"
Somehow, we have changed said
Horace. correcting him. I'VE should
not have expected you to love us, when,
God forgive me for saying it-when
our own son did not love us. Do not
interrupt. If he had loved MS he would
not be where he is today. My boy,
will not say to you now that l forgive.
you. 1t is not yet in my heart to do
SO. l must have it all out with myself
with God as my counsellor. You took
the life of my son. You-Rena, I beg
Of you'll"
Mrs. Blagden had risen. and stood
wavering before the two men, on the
verge Of utter collapse. She put out
her hand and touched her husbands
arm.
II want to be alone with you, Horace.
Will you Gomez" she said duly.
Yes, yes" he cried, putting his arm
around her shoulders. we will go, We
will 60. nv dear"
directly to Eric. Eric, you should not
have let your uncle suffer all these
years. 1t was cruel of you to-"
Come. come. my dear" broke in Mr..
Blagden, unsteadil-- you We're the
great sufferer. II was going about
among men all ne time. You sat here
alone and-mv God! How long the
years ave been! My dear, my dearI
How long we have waited together, you
and T."
He broke down completely. With
the frail form of his wife clasped tight.
w to his breast. he lowered his head
until his face was buried in the silkeu
white hair.
Erick's lips moved in a mute appeal.
his hands went out toward them and
then fell to his sides. With a dry,
racking sob in his throat, he turned
away, staggering blindly toward the
window. Mary came up with him
quickly. She slipped her arm about his
shoulders and whispered words of COM
fort and hope.
The shuffling of unsteady. dragging
feet drew their visual attention once
more to the pair at the other end of
the room. Mr.. Blagden had started to
leave the library; he was making his
way toward the door with the benz
figure Of his wife at his ide, his arm
about her waist for support. The old
mans head was held high and his eyes
were set.
Eric sprang forward to assist him
but was waved aside. Humbly the
young man walked before them and
opened the door for them to pass out
into the hall.