Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-11-09
rdon saw none of them.

'NNS - ~ stNA -
striding angrily along rs fast as his
heavy body would carry him.
But Gordon saw none of them.
CHAPTER VI.
Fiv hours before, the man who was
hurting himself furiously after h
rapidly retreating train a driven
calmly through the city, from the pier
of the White Star Lin to the apart
ment of a man whom he had met
abroad, and who had offered him the
use of it during his absence. The rooms
were in the fourth story of a fine apart
ment house. The returning exile noted
with satisfaction the i~rreproachable
neighborhood, as he slowly descended
from the carriage, paid his fee, and en-
tered the door, to present his letter OF
introduction to the janitor in charge.
His first act was to open he's steamer
trunk which he a brought with him
in the cab, and take therefrom his we'd
ding garments. These he carefully ar
ranged on folding hangers and 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
was late arriving at the dock, blu hat
he was here at last; gave him a few
directions concerning errands ne
would like to have DONE, and agreed to
be at the church a 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 1t would be as we'll
not to disturb her; they would have
time enough to ak afterwards; there
really wasn't anything to say but what
he had already written. And ne would
have about all he could do to get there
on time as it was. He asked if Jeffer-
son had called for the ring he had Or
dered n if 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 one
another, though Jefferson was the be-
loved brother Of his bride to be.
He hung up the receiver and ran for
a brandy and O to brace himself
bind to him a woman whom for years
he had been trying to get in his power
and whom he might nave loved if she
had not dared to scorn him for the
evil that 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 exultation 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 was 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 and
self complacent as he posed a momen
before the mirror to smooth his mus
tache and note how we'll he was look-
ing. Then he went to the closet for his
coat.
1t was most peculiar, the way it hap
pened, but somehow, as he stepped into
that closet to take down his coat, which
hung at the back where the space was
widest, the opening at the wrist of his
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 witch he had made 1T the slight
detention had given the door an i'm
petus which set 1t silently moving on
it's hinges. ut vas characteristic of
George Hayne that 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 impatience had entrapped him.
He put out his hand and pushed at the
door, Blu the catch had settled into
place. 1t was q very strong, neat little
catch, and 1t did Its work well. The
man was a prisoner.
At first he was only annoyed, and
gave the door an angry kick or two,
as If OF course it would presently re-
lease him meekly; but then he be-
thought him Of his polished wedding
shoes, and desisted. He tried to find q
knob and shake the door, but the only
knob was the tiny brass one on the put
side Of the catch. and you cannot shake
a plain surface reared 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
front creaked with dismay, and his
wedding collar wilted Imply. But the
door stood like adamant. It was mas
sive, like the man, but it was not flab-
by. h wood Of which 1t was com
posed had spent it's early life in the
open air, wet with the Jews Of heaven,
and exercising against the north blast
IT was nothing for it to hold out against
this pillow of a man., who had been
nurtured in the dissipation and folly
or a great city. The door held its own
n II doors do such things, the face OF
1t U have laughed to the silent
room; and h knows but the room
winked back? 1t would be but natural
that a room should resent a new oc.
cupant in the absence Of q beloved
owner.
He was there, safe and fast, In the
stun dark. with plenty Of time for re-
<AAiu tueTo were things III
his life that called for his reflection
They had never had him at an advan.
tage before.
In due course OF time, having ex.
hausted his breath and strength il
fruitless pushing, n his vocabulary In
foolish curses. he lifted up his voice
and roared. No other word would olits
describe the u that Issued from His
mighty throat. But the city roared
piactdly 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 roar to q below like Z
mad bull. but stJll the silence that sue
ceeded It was as deep and monotonous
as ever. He tried going to the back Of
the closet and hurting himself against
he door. but he only hurt his soft
muscles with h effort Finally he sat
down on the floor Of the closet.
CONTINUED Next Week.
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