Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
CHECKMATE,

the office next morning, for l felt the
need of Notwithstanding work-to
take my mind off the problem OF
Worthington Vaughan's death. n es-
pecially to relieve me from the de-
preston into which his daughters in
eSplicable conduct had plunged me.
When / thought OF her it was with
Impotence and aversion, for / felt that
she had deserted to the enemy and
turned her back upon the man who
loved her, in the hour Of his utmost
need.
AS l saw it, her conduct was little
short OF heartless. She had summoned
her lover to her side, and he had colne;
instantly and without hesitation, with
out paUSinS to consider the danger to
himself, he had answered her all; 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 to b whole
world her belief in his innocence, she
deliberately stood aioof. 1t was almost
as ia 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 SilNa's side could have
only cue meaning-sle had become his
dISILliif, Jidi 'iiiCpl'h MS lp,ti, q
ready to follow him. The thought
turned me sick at heart, for her as we'll
as for Swain, but for Swain most of
al, for he had done nothing to merit
such misfortune, while She, at least,
had chosen her road and was following
it with open eyes. Small w@nder that
] thought of her with anger and re-
sentiment, yes, and with a vague dis
trust, for, at the very back of my mind
was the suspicion that she had been d
decoS 10 lure Swain to his destruction.
| threw myself feVeriShly into the
work which had accumulated at the
office, in order to tear my mind Nay
from thoughts like these; but when
Mr.. Royce arrived, j had to go over the
case with him. and ] ave 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 up before
long, bat / haven't the remGtest idea
what 1t 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 agains,
her WILL" ] pointed out. Besides, I've
lost interest in her a little"
Don't blame her too much-we 1nust
90 IIllliS we CdJ. since she lSJl L
Of age she'll have to have a guardian
appointed. lie might do something"
II had thought of that; I'll suggest
to her tonight that she let me arrange
for a guardian. But il we wait for a
court to take action. I'm afraid Wen
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 out to see her this afternoon.
Perhaps she can do something" and he
went TO he phone to make the ar
engagements
L turned back 4 my work, but found
myself unable to take it up, for my
conscience told me that / ought TO see
Swain, make sure that he was COM
Portable, n do what / could to relieve
his anxiety. 1t was not q pleasant
task, for l should have to admit my
failure, but at last / put my work
aside, made my way reluctantly TO the
Tombs. and asked TO see h,ns.
They had given him a well lighted
cell on the upper tier. and some of his
own things had been brought in to
soften it's baroness. but n1y first glance
at Swain told me that he was in a bad
way.
is she all right?" was his first ques-
ton, and his eyes seemed to burr, into
me-.
Yes" ] answered q little testify,
Snes all rlght-that Is, If 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?"
NO" said Swain, after thinking 81
minute. No. I believe nvo."
How about breakfast?"
Il don't seem to remember about
breakfast" he answered., after a mo
ment's thought.
| stepped to the door, called the
guard. and. putting a bill into his hand,
asked him to send UP the prison barber
and to have a good meal sent up III
the course of half an hour. When the
barber arrived. ! had him take Swain
in hand, give him a shave and sham
poo and genera f~reshening up. Then
the breakfast arrived. and / made him
sit down and eat. He obeyed passively.
and could See the foo did him good.
When he had finished his coffee, J
handed him a cigar.
Now. Swain" l began, sitting dow n
opposite him. Pm going 70 talk to you
seriously. In the first place. Miss
Vaughan is IN 40 danger. Simmonds
mad Two men IN the grounds watching
! the HntlSa all 1aSt r,tph< ,.o,,. -. z....