The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-02-17

of one worthington Vaughan, resid-
! ing in the Borough of the Bronx, City
of New York, do find that the de-
ceased came to his death by strangu-
lation at the hands of Frederic Swain -
There was an instants silence, and
then Goldberger turned to the jury.
rs this your verdict, gentlemen" he
| asked quietly; and each juryman re-
piled in the affirmative as his name
was called. II thank you for your SER
vices" Goldberger 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 / arose
to meet them. Swain got up, also, and
when l glanced at him I saw that he
was smiling.
81 dent know whether you have met
Mr.. Blake, Mr.. Lester" said Simmonds,
and the prosecutor and shook hands.
/ introduced him to Swain, but Swain
did not offer his hand.
Il 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?" asked
I'm afraid not" and Blake shook his
head. 1T isn't a bailable offense."
knew, of course, that he was right
and that 1t was Of no use to argue OF
protest. Swain turned to me and held
out his hand.
Then TIL say goodby, Mr.. Lester
he said "Tll hope to see you Monday"
You SHALL" promised.
And with good news" he added.
"Yes-and with good news"
Can we give you a lift?" Blake
asked
mo" said. thank you; but I'm
staying out here for the present"
watched them as they climbed into
car-Goldberger, Blake, Simmonds
and Swain; saw the latter take one
! last look at the house. then he waved
| to me, as the car turned into the high
road--at least, he was taking 1t brave
lyi The coroner's assistants climbed
into n second car, and the four or five
policemen into a third. Then the re-
porters and photographers piled into
| the others, the few stragglers who haG
struggled in struggled on again, and In
| five minutes the place was deserted
I As looked around. l was surprised &c
! see that even Godfrey had departed
7 There was something depressing about
the tumble of chairs and tables, the
litter of paper on the grass-something
sordid, as Of a banquet hall deserted
| by the diners.
I turned away and started for tho
gate; and then. suddenly, l wondered
who was in charge of the house. Whc
woul< give orders to clear away this
! litter? Who would arrange for the
| funeral on the morrow? How could
! Miss Vaughan do It, Ill as she was?
With quick resolution, I turned back
toward the house. AS I did so, was
surprised to see man appear at the
edge of the lawn and run toward me
1t was Human.
1T was afraid I'd missed you" he
said. Miss Vaughan wishes to see
you. Shes all alone here and needs
Some helm
"Td thought of that" said. IT was
Just coming to offer it. Is she better"'
yes, much better. think she has
realized the necessity Of conquering
her nerves. OF course, we must still
be careful"
I nodded, and followed him into the
house. Then stopped in astonish-
ment, for Miss Vaughan was sitting in
chair IN the library. She rose as l
entered. came a step toward me and
| held out her hand.
You must not think so badly OF me.
Mr. Lester" she said. II won't give
way again, I promise you"
You have had a great deal to bear,
protested, taking her hand in mine,
"I think you have been very brave. l
only hope that I can be Of some serv-
| ice to you"
THANK you. am sure you can. Let
us all sit down. for we must have quite
talk. DR.. Human tells me that 1
shall need a lawyer"
"Undoubtedly," I assented. your
fathers estate will have to be settled.
and that can only be done in the courts.
Besides, in the eyes Of the law, you
are still a minor"
will you be my lawyer, Mr.. Lester?'
1T will be a great privilege" I an
swered.
"Then we will consider that settled ?"
Yes" I agreed. I'VE will consider
that settled"
But it is not business wish to dis
cuss today" she went on, quickly.
There are other things more urgent.
First, I wish to get acquainted with
you. Have you not wondered, Mr. Les
ter, why 1t was that I chose you to de-
liver my letter?'
II suppose 1t was because there was
no one else" l answered, looking at
her in some establishment for the way
she was rafting on. The color was
coming and going in her cheeks and
her eyes were very bright. l wondered
If she had escaped brain fever, after
all.
mo" she said, smiling audaciously,
ut was because ! liked your facet
knew you could be trusted. or course,
for a moment I was startled at seeing
you looking down at me from a tree.
wondered afterwards how you came to
be there"
Just idle curiosity" 1 managed to
stammer. my face very hot. II am
sorry If annoyed you"
"Oh 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"