Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-30
CHAPTER NIX-(Continued.)

oSttaS SAAAo VI AAiSOh
GRANGE on the part of her old time
friend and playmate. While Eric was
squlrm1ng in the seat, eager to be off,
Mary was resentfully digging up the
memory of Joan's first sign Of GOODNESS
and d%isfavor. which was followed later
on by the cut direct. 1t all came about
after an all night automobile trip, she
recalled, when she had taken an up
state trip in company with Jack Pay
son and a couple of friends from New
York. 1t was of no consequence to the
goss1ps, who told the tale, that Mr..
and Mrs. Bates were in the party.
What hurt Mary most. even though
she was 10th to admit it to herself, was
the conviction that, next to Eric and
Payson she still loved Joan Bright
better than anyone else in the world.
therefore, she was privileged to hate
her with particular unreasonableness.
Where is Eric, my dear?" asked her
uncle. peering about in all directions.
She could not conceal her nervous
ness. Il think he hurried out to see
Joan Bright. She's back from the
south. uncle"
Indeed. She wasn't expected SO
soon. Why did she change her plans
SO hasitly?'
TIN sure 1 don't know"
Haven't YOU"
No, 1 haven't seen her." interrupted
Mary. answering the perfectly obvious
question before it could be uttered.
Mr.. Blagden hemmed rather awk-
wardly. Probably came in last night"
he ~vouchsafed. II daresay Eric is
him until-Ah. how do you do, Pres
brey. Splendid sermon, wasn't it? Good
morning. Julia"
The Presbreys, ~transversing the OPP
posite way. acknowledged the greet
ing with a most ceremonious bow. 1t
did not occur to them to inform Mr..
Blagden that they had listened to the
sermon in the Second Congregational
church.
"a most admirable DISCOURSE" said
MI. Presbrey blandly.
Scholarly" said his wife, as she
bestowed her sweetest smile on Mary.
SO you are back, are you, my dear?'
smiling sweetly.
Then their ways diverged.
A little later. Mary awoke to the fact
that her uncle was speaking, not 50
much to her as to the world in general.
Yes. l am sorry for Presbrey. I
suppose he realizes what an old foggy
he was toward the end. Still he was
I should say he Is a good Christ-like
man. He can't have any bitterness Of
heart, although / daresay he-er, ahem.
deplores the fact that this new broom
Is sweeping SO thoroughly. Dear me,
he never saw a congregation so vast
as-but what am I saying? Yes. YES,
l am sorry for Presbrey. L don't mind
saying to you. Mary, that he a been
on my conscience not a little during
the past few months I can't help feel
ing that l took a rather unfair advan-
tage of him at the time Of
Nonsense" broke in Mary. "It was
a fair tight between you, Uncle uor-
ace"
"A fair fight, my dear? Fight?" said
Mr.. Blagden with a stare.
And he began It," she added sue
cinctly.
Mr.. Blagden cleared his throat. BE
that as it may" he said hastily, II
feel that I owe him some form Of repn-
ration. | have quite fully decided to
put him in charge Of the new library"
Eric n Adam had turned a distant
Mary breathed freely again.
The new library?" she repeated.
Horace affected a dry chuckle. "You
will see it all in tomorrow's Courier
he said. "Eric's to build it. The hand
soonest structure outside Of Boston, IL
l do say It,"
II don't know what you are talking
about, Uncle Horace"
"Of course you don't. 1 am to talk
1t over with Eric in the morning. The
Courier is now in full possession Of the
Details
IAN SsA6>b She4kSo lIIol =
to her lips were left unuttered. John
Payson approached from the opposite
direction. Mary's heart gave a great,
wild throb. and then seemed to stop
beating entirely. Her face was very
pale.
Payson did not pause, but went by
with q warm smile for her and q po-
lite bow for Horace Blagden. The smile
she gave in return was a wavering, pa
thettc effort that went straight to his
heart. He glanced owe his shoulder.
and was disappointed because she con-
tinued to look rigidly ahead, instead of
turning as he had done.
Wasn't hat young Payson?" de-
manded Horace. his jaw setting hard.
Yes. Uncle Horace" she replied in
a low voice
Silence fell between them, a chill ST.
lence that voiced their thoughts as
plainly as spoken words. She cast q
covert look at the stern face Of her un-
Gle. A flush was in his cheek. A mo-
for a brief glance at the girls profile.
Her eyes We're lowered. She was star
ing m~iserably at the brick sidewalk
which they traversed so evenly, SO
steadily.
Horace's lips seemed to tighten. The
veins in his thin grey temples stood
out like cords. Suddenly he relaxed;
his stiff shoulders sagged; a queer
smile forced It's way out Of the hard
set lines about his mouth, and his eyes
grew wistful. His lips parted twice in
the effort to utter wordhs that came
up from his heart. words he hated. yet
longed to utter, for he knew they would
give happiness to her. Something tight
!. ened in his throat. He cast an invol-
untary glance over his shoulder. A
shadow crossed his face, dispelled an
Instant later by a conquering smile.
Mary, my child" he said gen
thy, II think. IL you don't mind,
1 will drop In at Mr.. Briscoe's for a few
minutes. He is down with rheumatism.
But wait; 1 will be perfectly frank
with you. John Payson Is standing at
the corner back there, looking at you
as if-well, 1 fancy II I were to efface
myself he would not be long in taking
my place at your side. I believe I'll
make the experiment"
Mary's wonder changed to Joy. Her
face was suddenly as radiant as the
sunshine which fell about them.
"Why-why, Uncle Horace" she be-
gan b~reathlessly.
He laid his hand on the gate leading
to the rheumatic Mr.. B%riscoe's lawn.
Try the experiment yourself, my
dear" he sais with a smile. = will