Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-02-17

Of one Worthington Vaughan. res1d-
ing in the Borough of the Bronx. City
of New York. do find that the de-
ceased came to his death by strangu-
latlon at the hands of Frederic SWAIN"
There was an instan1's silence. and
then Goldberger turned to the jury.
is his your verdict, gentlemen?' he
ASKED quietly; and Zach juryman re-
Piled in the affirmative as his name
was called. 81 thank you for your ser
vices, Goldbereer added, directed his
clerk to give them vouchers on the city
treasurer. and dismissed them.
Simmonds and the assistant district
attorney came toward us, and I arose
to meet them. Swain got up. also. and
when I Glanced at him l saw that he
was smiling.
Il don't know whether you have met
Mr.. Blake Mr.. Lester" said ~Sim1nonds,
and the prosecutor n I shook hands.
introduced him to Swain, but Swain
did not offer his hand.
" suppose you've come to take me
along" he said, the smile still on his
lips
I'm afraid we'll have to-"
would bail be considered?" I asked.
I'm afraid not" and Blake shook his
head. ut isn't a bailable offense."
I knew, of course. that he was right
n hat it was of no use TO argue OF
protest. Swain turned to me and held
out his hand.
Then ri say goodby, Mr.. Lester.
he said I'll hope to see you Monday
You SHALL" l promised.
And with good news" he added.
"Nes-and with good news"
Can we give you a lift? Blake
asked.
NO" | said. thank you; hut I'm
staying out here for the present"
] watched them as they climbed into
a car-Goldberger, Blake, Simmonds
and Swain; I saw the latter take n
last look at the house; then ho waved
TO me, as the car urned into the high
road-at least, he was taking it brave
ly! The coroner's assistants climbed
into a second car. and the four or five
policemen into a third. Then the re-
porterS and photographers piled into
the others, the few s~tragglers who had
struggled in struggled on again. and in
five minutes the place was deserted
i AS I looked around. | was surprised to
] see that even Godfrey had departed.
There was something depressing about
tie tumble of chairs and tables. the
litter of paper on the erass-something
sordid, as of a banquet hall deserted
| by the diners.
/ turned away and started for the
gate; and then, suddenly, l wondered
who was in charge of the house. Who
would give orders to clear away this
litter? WHO would arrange for the
funeral on the morrow? How could
! Miss Vaughan do it, i'll as she was%
With quick resolution, l turned back
toward the house. AS | die so, l was
surprised to see q man appear at the
edge of the lawn and run TOWARD me.
1t was Hinnlan.
81 was afraid I'd missed YOU he
said. Miss Vaughan wishes to see
you. She's all alone here and needs
some help"
'Td thought of that" 1 said. IT was
Just coming to offer it. Is she better?'
"Yes, much better. l think she has
realized tho necessity of ~conquering
her nerves. OF course. we must still
be careful"
I nodded, and followed him into the
house. Then I stopped in astonish-
ment, for Miss Vaughan was sitting In
a chair in the library. She rose rs I
entered, came a step toward me and
held out her hand.
"You must not him SO badly Of me,
Mr.. Lester" she said. 81 won give
way again, | promise YOU"
"You have had q great deal to bear
protested. taking her and in mine.
II think you have been very brave. l
only hope that l can be Of some serv-
ice TO YOU"
us all sit down. for we must have quite
a talk. Or. Hinman tells me that l
shall need a lawyer"
"Undoubtedly." l assented. Your
fathers estate will ave to be settled,
and that can only be lone in the courts.
Besides, il the eyes of the law, you
are still q minor"
VIII NoU be my lawyer, Mr.. Lester?
TT will be a great privilege l an
swered.
Then we will consider that settled?"
Yes | agreed, eve will consider
that settled"
"But it is not business I wish to dis
cuss today she went on, quickly.
There are other things more urgent.
First, [ wish to get acquainted will,
YOU. Have you not wondered, Mr.. Les
ter. why it was that | chose you to de-
liver my letter.
Il suppose it was because there was
no one else" | answered, looking at
her in some astonishment for the way
she was rafting on. The color was
coming and going in her cheeks and
her eyes were very bright. / wondered
if she had escaped brain fever. after
all.
NO" she said. smiling a~udaciously,
lit was because ] liked your facet
knew you could be trusted. OF course.
you looking down at me from a tree. I
wondered afterwards how you came to
be there
Just idle curiosity" l managed to
stan1mer. my face very hot. II AMI
sorry if L annoyed you"
"0h, but it was most Fortunate she
protested; land a great coincidence,
too, that you should be Mr.. SWANS
employer, and able to get hold of him
at once"
CONTINUED next week.)