The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
CHECKMATE!

l was honestly glad to get back to
the office next morning, for felt the
need OF woodworking work-to
take my mind off the problem OF
WOrthington Vaughan's death, and es-
| pectally to relieve me from the do
precision into which his daughters in
explicable conduct had plunged me.
| When 1 thought OF her II was with
Impotence and aversion, for felt that
/ she had deserted to the enemy and
i turned her back upon the man who
loved her, in the hour of his utmost
need.
| AS / saw II, her conduct was little
| short OF heartlesS. She had summoned
her lover to her side, and he had come;
instantly and without hesitation, with
out pausinG to consider the danger to
himself, he had answered Ter call; in
consequence Of that high devotion, he
was now in prison, charged with a
dreadful crime: but, instead of hasten
ing to him. instead of standing by his
| side and proclaiming 20 the whole
INworld her belief in his Innocence, she
deliberately stood aloof. 1t was almost
as If she herself believed in
his guilt. The world, at least,
| could draw no other Inference.
But she had done more than that.
She had abandoned herself to the fate
from which he had tried to save her.
Her presence at SilVa's side could have
only one meaning-she had become his
disciple, had accepted his faith, was
| ready to follow him. The thought
J turned me sick az heart, for her as we'll
as for Swain, but for Swain most Of
all, for he had done nothing to merit
| such misfortune, while she, at least,
had chosen her road and was following
| IL with open eyes. Small wonder that
thought of her with anger and re-
sentiment yes, and with a vague dis
AZ ne mir
was the suspicion that she had been a
deCoy to lure Swain to his destruction.
l threw myself feVerishly into the
work which had accumulated ut the
office, in order to tear my mind away
from thoughts like these; but when
Mr.. Royce arrived, had to go over the
case with him. and have seldom seen
a man more puzzled or astonished.
Il shall defend Swain, Of course" l
concluded. and I'm hoping that some
thing in his favor will turn zap before
long. but 1 haven't the remotest idea
what it will be. He can't be tried till
fall and meanwhile I'm afraid he'll
have to stay in jail"
Yes; see no way OF getting him
out" agreed my partner. But the
girls danger Is much more serious.
Can't we do something for herr"
It's difficult TO do anything against
her WILL" pointed out. Besides. I've
Don't blame her too much--aVe must
do everything we can. Since she isn't
OF age she'll have to have a guardian
appointed. He might do something"
Il had thought OF that; I'll suggest
to her tonight that she let me arrange
for a guardian. But II we wait for a
court to take action, I'm afraid we'll
be too late. Swain seems to think that
the danger Is very pressing"
AT least we can make one more eff
fort" said Mr.. Royce. TIL have my
wife drive ont to see her this afternoon.
Perhaps she can do something" and ne
went to the phone to make the al
rangements
turned back to my work. but found
myself unable to take 1t up, for my
conscience told me that ought 60 see
Swain, make sslTe that he was COM |
Portable, and do what could to relieve
his anxiety. 1t was not a pleasant
failure. but at last I put my work |
aside, made my way reluctantly to the |
Tonbs, and asked to see him.
They had given him a we'll Lighted |
cell on the upper tier, and some of his |
own things had been brought in to |
soften its baroness. bat my first glance |
at Swain told me that he was in a bad !
way.
rs she all right?" was his first ques-
ton, and his eyes seemed to burn into |
me.
YES" / answered a little testify. |
she's ali right-that Is. IL you mean |
Miss Vaughan. For heavens sake,
Swain, be a little sensible. What's the |
use Of working yourself up into a state
like this! Did you sleep any last
night?"
mo" said Swain, after thinking 4
minute. No. believe not"
How about breakfast"
II don't seem 10 remember about
breakfast" he answered, after a mo-
ments thought.
stepped to the door. called the
guard. and, putting n bill into his hand.
asked him to send up tho prison barber
and to have a good meal sent up In
the course OF half an hour. When the
barber arrived. I had him take Swain
in hand. give him a shave and sham
poo and general freshening up. Then
the breakfast arrived, and l made him
sit down and eat. He obeyed passfveTy,
and could see the food did him good.
When he had finished his coffee.
handed him a cigar. o.
Nov, Swain" began, sitting dow
opposite him, I'm going to talk to you
seriously. In the first place, Miss
Vaughan 10 in M danger. SimmondR
had two men IN the grounds Watching
the house all last might. ready TO inter
Zero at the least sign of anything
wrong. That watch will r" kept up