The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-11-09
CHAPTER vi.

Five hours before, the mar who was
hurting himself furiously after h
rapidly ~retreating train had driven
calmly through the city, from the pier
OF the White Star Line to h apart
ment of a man whom he had met
abroad. and who had offered him the
use of 1t during his absence. The rooms
were in the fourth story of a fine apart
ment house. The returning exile noted
with satisfaction the irreproachable
neighborhood, as he slowly descended
from h carriage, paid his fee, and
tered the door, to present his letter OF
introduction to the Janitor in charge.
His first act was to open the steamer
trunk which he had brought with him
in the cab, and take therefrom his we'd
ding garments. These he carefully ar
ranged on folding hangers n hung IN
the closet, which was otherwise empty
save for a few boxes piled on the high
shelf.
Then he FASTENED to the telephone
and communicated with his best man.
jefferson Hathaway; told him the boat
he was here at last; gave him a few
directions concerning errands no
would like to have done, and agreed TO
be at the church q half-hour earlier than
the time set for the ceremony, to be
shown just what arrangements had
been made. He was told that his bride
was feeling very tired and was resting,
and agreed that It would be as we'll
not to disturb her; they would have
time enough to tall afterwards; there
really wasn't anything to say but n
he had already written. And he would
have about all he could do to get there
on time as. it was. He asked IL Jeffer-
son had called for the ring he a or
dered and IL the carriage would be sent
for him in time and then without for
malities closed the Interview. He and
Jefferson were not exactly fond of n
another, though Jefferson was the be-
loved brother Of his bride to be.
He hung up the receiver n ran for
a brandy and soda to brace himself
for the coming ordeal which was to
bind to him a woman whom for years
he had been trying to get In his power
and whom he might have loved If she
had not dared to scorn him for the
evil hat she knew was In him. AT
last he had found a way to subdue her
and bring her with her ample fortune
to his feet and he felt the ex~ultation OF
the conqueror as he went about his
preparations for the evening.
He made a SNUG and ~leisurely toilet,
with a smile of satisfaction upon his
flabby face. He vas naturally a selfish
person and had always known how to
make other people attend to all bother
some details for him while he enjoyed
himself. He was quite comfortable n
self complacent as he posed a moment
before the mirror to smooth his mus
ache and note how well he was look
ing. Then he went to the closet for his
coat.
1t was most peculiar, the way 1t hap
pened, but somehow, as he stepped into
hat closet to take DOWN his coat, which
hung at the Jack where the space was
Ui6acf the nnRninp at fha wrist of htQ
shirt sleeve caught for just an instant
in the little knob Of the closet latch.
The gold button which held the cuff to
the wristband slipped its hold, and the
man was free almost at once, but the
angry twitch he had made at the slight
detention had given the door an i'm
petus which set 1t silently moving on
its hinges. ct was characteristic Of
George Hayne hat he was always i'm
patient Of the slightest detention.) He
had scarcely put his hand upon his
wedding coat when a soft steel click,
followed by utter darkness, warned him
that his impotence had entrapped him.
door, but the catch had settled into
place. 1t was a very strong. neat little
catch, and 1t did Its work well. The
man was q prisoner.
At first he was only annoyed, and
gave the door ar angry kick or two,
as II Of course II would presently re-
lease him meekly; but then he be-
shoes, and desisted. He tried to find q
knob and shake the door. but the only
knob was the tiny brass n on the out
side of h catch, and O annot shake
a plain surface reare up before you.
Then he set his massive. flabby shoul-
der against the door and pressed with
all his might. till his bulky linen shirt
frAnf araakA6 xytfh IfanaaH al 1T.
wedding collar wilted Imply. But the
door stood like adamant. It was mas
sive, like the man, but II was not fab
by. The wood OF which 1t was COM
posed had spent its early life In the
open air, wet with the dews of heaven,
and exercising against the north blast.
1t was nothing for 1t to hold out against
this pillow of a man, who a been
nurtured in the dissipation and folly
Of a great city. The door held Its own
and IL doors do such things, the face OF
1t must have laughed to the silent
room; and who knows but the room
winked back? II would be but natural
that a room should resent q new oc-
cupant In the absence Of q beloved
owner. -r =
He was there, safe and fast, in the
still dark, with plenty of time for re-
Election. And there were things In
his life hat called for his reflection
They had never q him at an advan-
tage before.
In due course of time, having exI
hausted his breath and strength In
frpitless pushing, and his vocabulary In
foolish curses, he lifted up his voice
and roared. No other word would quite
describe the sound that issued from his
mighty throat. But the city roared
placidly below him, and no one minded
him in the least.
He sacrificed the shiny toes of the
shoes n added resounding kicks on
the door to the general hubbub. He
changed the "a to a below like q
mad bull, but still the silence that sue
ceeded 1t was as deep and monotonous
as ever He tried going to the back Of
the closet and hurting himself against
the door. but he only hurt his soft
muscles with the effort. Finally he a
down on h floor of the closet.
CONTINUED Next Week.