The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-02
what have


astonishment. Certainly. what have
I to fear?"
/ had to confess that myself did
not know very clearly what she had TO
fear, so 1 temporised.
f.. Are you keeping the nursesr
No; do not need them. They left
an hour ago."
But the servants" said, in a PAN
&c, they are here? They are going to
stay?''
your questions seem most extraor-
binary to me, Mr.. Lester. or course
the servants will stay"
"And-and the Hindus?" blurted
out.
Yes. and the Hindus, as you call
them. This Is their home. 1t was my
fathers wish"
gave It up; her manner indicated
that all this was no concern Of mine.
and that my interference was a mere
impertinence. But tried one parting
shot.
"Mr. Swain is very anxious you
should not stay here said. He will
be deeply grieved when he learns your
decision"
To this she made no answer. and.
finding nothing more to say. sore at
heart, and not a little angry and re-
sentful. I started to leave the room.
There Is one thing more"
said, turning back at the thresh-
old. Il shall have to go In
shall come out again in the evening.
Would it be convenient to have our
business conference after dinner?
Yes" she agreed; that win do very
wen"
AT o'clock them"
Il shall expect you at that time," she
assented; and with that l took my
leave.
1t was in a most depressed state OF
mind that 1 made my way back 10 God
freys; and sat down on the porch and
smoked a pipe OF bitter meditation.
For felt that. somehow. Miss Vaughn
was slipping away from me. There
which had not been there before, a
barrier of GOODNESS and reserve which
could not penetrate. Some hostile
influence had been at work; In death,
even more than in life perhaps, her
fathers win weighed upon her.
morse might grow and deepen, and
urge her toward foolish and useless
sacrifice.
And just then Mrs. Hargis came out
and told me that someone wanted me
on the phone. II was Swain.
They let me come out here to the
office to phone to YOU" he said. as
''Simmonds happened In and told them
1t would be all right. He's here now"
And they're treating you all righkY'
They're treating me like the star
boarder," he laughed. And then bis
voice grew suddenly serious. "HaSe
you seen Miss Vaughan
Yes answered; for knew a.
course that the question was csming.
| Weir"
Miss Vaughan refuses to 60 TO the
Royces,' Swain
There was a moments silence.
Then where will she gor''
She won't go anywhere"
You don't mean." he cried, panic In
his voice. that she's going to stay out
| there"
Yes: she laughed when mentioned
danger. There's one consolation-the
servants will stay"
Did you tell her how anxious 1 was
for herr"
Yes. did my best, Swain
And it made no difference%
No: it made no difference. The
fact is. Swain, fancy she's little ne
| morSeful about her father-his death
has unnerved her-and there was the
funeral today-and, as a sort Of atone
ment, she's trying to do what she
imagineS he would wish her to do
He wished her 20 become a priest
ess," said Swain, his voice CHASTITY.
"Oh, we'll, she won't go that far" :
assured him cheerfully; and no doubt
in n few days, when the first impress
sion of the tragedy has worn Off. she
will be ready to go to the Royces.' I'll
keep suggesting 1t. and I'm going to
have Mrs. Royce call on her"
Thank you, Mr.. Lester" he said.
but his voice was still shaking. L
this sort of knocks me out hadn't
foreseen it. I'll have to think II over.
But there's one thing you can do
What is IT."
Watch the housed" he cried Watch
the house! And be ready II she screams
again
"All right" I said, soothingly, I'll
do that. But tell me. Swain. what is
it you fear%'
II fear Silva" said Swain, in a voice
husky with emotion. 1T isn't remorse
for her father-its Silva who's work
ing on her. feel 1t, some way--Tm
sure Of it. God knows what he'll try
any villany. You must watch the
house, Mr.. Lester-day and night you
must watch the housed"
All right" l said, again. strangely
impressed by his words. You may
count on me-"
Thank you," he said. Remember.
we've only you. Goodbye"