Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-03-15
CHAPTER Xxi.
THE VISION IN THE CRYSTAL.

THE VISION IN THE CRYSTAL.
Silva raid Il hand tenderly upon the
bowed head, as though in benediction,
but l could have sworn there was UNI
holy triumph in his eyes. I caught but
a glimpse of it, for he yelled them
instantly and bowed his head. and his
lips moved as il in a The kneel-
ing figure was quiverins with sobs;
l could hear them in her throat; and
my heart turned sick as L saw how
she permitted his caressing touch.
Then, suddenly. she sprang erect, and
without a glance at me hurried from
the room.
There was silence for a moment.
then Silva arose and faced me.
You see how it is. Mr.. Lester?.'' he
said.
Yes" l answered dryly, Il see how
it is"
rcfolded the will. slipped it back
into it's envelop, restored it to the
drawer, made sure that all the pack
cts were there, too, replaced the drawer
in the safe, closed the door. twirled
the knob, swung the shelves into place
in front of it, and finally, my self con-
troll artially regained, turned back
to Silva.
Well" l said. and my voice sounded
very fiat. let us sit down and talk it
over"
He wheeled his chair around to face
me and sat down. l looked at him in
silence for a moment. The man was
Virile. dominant; there was in his as
something impressive and CON-
pelling. Small wonder this child of
10 had found herself unable to stand
against him.
Il know what is in your mind" he
said at 1nct svlvf np<AV. all ~ r,o.,
her fathers wish. That should weigh
with you"
Her father was mad"
Il deny 1t. He was very sane. He
found h way and he has set her feet
upon it,"
What way?" l demanded. where
does 1T lead?"
The way OF life. 1t leads to peace
and happiness
He uttered the words as with final
ity: but l shrugged them impatiently
away.
Don't loaf off into your mysticism"
L said. Let us keep our feet on the
earth. You may be sincere. or you
may MOTT is impossible for me to
say. But l know this-it is not fair
to that child to take her at her word.
h doesn't realize what she is doing.
i don't know what it is you plan for
her. but before you do anything, she
must ave a chance to find herself.
n must be taken out Of this atmos-
phere into a healthier one, until she
has rallied from the shock Of her
fathers death, and emerged from the
ado of his influence. She must
have time to get back her self control.
Then, If h chooses to return, we'll
and good"
TO all your 'musts.' MI. Lester" re-
'torted Silva. Il can only say that 1 am
willing. l have not lifted a finger to
detain her. But what if she will not
gO?"
Then she must be made to go"
Another must" he rejoined light
ly. Il would remind you hat she is
mistress of her own actions. Neither
you o l can compel her to do any
thing h does not wish to do. 1t has
been a great happiness to me that h
a chosen as she has; it would have
been a great sorrow to me a she
decided differently. But l should have
acquiesced. Now 1t is for you to ac-
quiesce. After all, what claim have
you pom herr"
Il admit that 1 have no claim 1
said. more calmly. But there is one
who has q claim, and to whom she is
bound to listen.'
You refer. no doubt. to that mis-
guided young man who is now in
prison?"
II refer to Frederic Swain, yes" 1
retorted holly. cit is true he is in pris-
on. And how did he get there? BY
coming when she called him, by try
ing to assist her."
Was 1t assisting her to kill her
father" queried Silva, and his lips
were curled with scorn
l paused a moment to make sure Of
my ~self-control, for it seemed to be
slipping from me.
Senior Silva" I said, at last, ''how
father came to his death 1 do not
know; but 1 do know that Swain had
no hand in it."
Yet he is is prison. he reminded
me.
Innocent men have been in prison
before this. 1 will get him out"
by what means?"
said. and looked at him with eyes
which l know were bloodshot.
He returned my gaze steadily.
$50 you think 1 am the murderer? '
he. asked, quietly.
Il got a grip Of myself saw that
I had gone too far.
Il do not know what to think" 1
event.. Swain merits some c0nsidera-
tion. Miss Vaughan should. at least,
listen to what he has to say. She
promised to marry him."
She a withdrawn that promise"
She Q never said s0."
She has Withdrawn 1t in choosing
as she has chosen. They who serve
In the temple Of silva TURF their backs
on marriage"
put the words away from me with
. gesture.
"That mean nothing to me-" said.
4 know nothing OF the temple Of silva.