The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-16


Instantly and bowed his head, and his
lips moved as If in prayer. The kneel-
ing figure was quivering with sobs
l could hear them in her throat; and
my heart turned sick as l saw how
she permitted his caressing touch.
Then, suddenly, she sprang erect, and
without a glance at me hurried from
the room.
There was silence for a moment,
then Silva arose and faced me.
You see how IL is. Mr.. LESTER" he
said.
Yes" 1 answered dryly, II see how
it Is"
1 refolded the will, slipped 1t back
into its enVelop, restored 1t to the
drawer, made sure that all the pack
cts were there, too, replaced the drawer
in the safe, closed the door, twirled
the knob, swung the shelves into place
In front Of it, and finally, my self con-
troll artially regained, turned back
to Silva.
We'll" 1 said, and my voice sounded
very fiat, let us sit down and talk 1t
over"
He wheeled his chair around to face
me and sat down. L looked at him in
silence for moment. The man was
virile, dominant; there was in his as
pect something impressive and COM
polling. Small wonder this child of
10 had found herself unable to stand
against him.
~ know what is in your mind" he
said at last. But after all, 1t was
her fathers wish. That should weigh
with you"
Her father was mad"
Il deny 1t. He was very sane. He
upon it,"
What way?" 1 demanded. Where
does it lead?"
1.-The way OF life 1t leads to peace
and happiness"
He uttered the words as with final
ity; but 1 shrugged them impatiently
away.
Don't float off into your mysticism"
said. Let US keep our feet on the
earth. You may be sincere, or you
may mott is impossible for me to
say. But I know this-it is not fair
to that child to take her at her word.
She doesn't realize what she is doing.
1 don't know what 1t is you plan for
her, but before you do anything, she
must have a chance to find herself.
She must be taken out of this atmos-
phere into a healthier one, until she
has rallied from the shock Of her
fathers death, and emerged from the
shadow Of his influence. She must
have time to get back her self control.
and good"
ITO all your +musts,' Mr.. Lester" re-
torted Silva, Il can only say that l am
willing. have not lifted a finger to
detain her. But what If she will not
go?"
Then she must be made to CO."
Another must" he rejoined light
ly. Il would remind you that she is
mistress of her own actions. Neither
70 4
thing she does not wish to do. 1t has
been a great happiness to me that she
has chosen as she has; 1t would have
been a great sorrow to me had she
decided differently. But 1 should have
acquiesced. Now it is for you to &C
quiesce. After all, what claim have
you upon herr"
said, more calmly. "But there is one
who has a claim, and to whom she is
bound to listen"
You refer, no doubt, to that mis-
guided young man who is now in
PRISON."
Il refer to Frederic Swain, yes" 1
retorted holly. 1T Is true he is in pris-
on. And how did he get there? BY
coming when she called him, by try
ing to assist her"
WAS it assisting her to kill her
father?" queried Silva, and his lips
were curled with scorn.
I paused a moment to make sure of
my self-control, for 1t seemed to be
slipping from me.
"Senor Silva" 1 said, at last, how
her father came to his death l do not
know; but l do know that Swain had
no hand in it."
yet he is is prison." he reminded
me.
innocent men have been in prison
before this. l will get him out"
by what means?"
by finding the real murderer"
said, and looked at him with eyes
which 1 know were bloodshot.
He returned my gaze steadily.
80 you think l am the murderer"
he asked, quietly.
II got a grip of myself saw that
had gone too far.
II do not know what to think" l
answered. II am seeking light. In any
event, Swain merits some considera-
ton. Miss Vaughan should, at least,
listen to what he has to say. She
promised to marry him."
she has withdrawn that promise"
She has never said So"
"She has withdrawn 1t in choosing
as she has chosen. They who serve
in the temple Of silva turn their backs
on marriage"
j put the WOrQS away IFOn me WITH
gesture.
That means nothing to me-" l said.
Il know nothing of the temple Of silva.
l wish to know nothing, for mysticism
repels me. But 1 do know that she
gave her word; I do know that she
loved him."
Earthly love fades and passes"
said the yogi, solemnly. Ssh has given
her heart to the master" and he made
his gesture of reverence.
There was anger in my eyes as l
looked at him. How was one to reply
to such jargon?
II would point out to you, Senior
Silva" said, that Miss Vaughan is
not yet of legal age, and so not Quite
her own mistress"
Does your law interfere in matters
Of the hearth" he inquired blandly;
"or in matters Of religion?"
NO" l said, flushing at his irony;
but the law demands that, until she
Is Of age, she have a guardian to pro-
tect her interests. l :iIall ask that one
be appointed at once"
ITO that" said the yogi. II have not
the least objection. In fact, Mr.. Les
ter, do not know why you should tell
me your plans. But, for some reason.
you seem to regard me as an adver-
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