The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-03-09

II feared So" he said. Miss Vaug-
han has become a convert"
And he led the way Town the ladder.
CHAPTER Xxx.
CHEcKMATE!
I was honestly glad to get back to
the office next morning, for I felt b
need Of Notwithstanding worl-to
take my mind off the problem Of
Worthington V~aughan's death, and es-
p~ecially to relieve me from the de-
preston into which his daughters in
applicable conduct had plunged me.
When I thought Of her it was with
impatience and aversion, for I felt hat
she had deserted to the enemy and
turned her Jack upon the hal who
loved her, in the hour of his utmost
need.
AS I saw it, her conduct was little
short of heartless. She had summoned
her lover to her side, and he had come:
instantly and without hesitation, with
out pausing to consider the danger to
himself, he had answered her call; 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 the whole
world her belief in his innocence, hi
deliberately stood aloof. 1t was almost
as if she herself believed in
his guilt. h world, at least,
could draw no other inference.
But she had one more than that.
She had abandoned herself to the fate
from which he had tried to save her.
Her presence at Silva's side could have
only one meaning-she had become his
disciple, had accepted his faith, was
turned me sick at heart, for her as we'll
as for Swain, but for Swain most Of
all, 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 wonder that
l 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 q
decoy to lure Swain to his destruction.
1 threw myself feverishly into the
work which had accumulated at the
office, in order to tear my mind away
from thoughts like these: but when
Mr.. Royce arrived, I had to go over the
case with him, and 1 have seldom seen
a man more puzzled or astonished.
Il shall defend Swain, of course" 1
concluded, and Pm hoping that some
thing in his favor will turn up before
long, but l haven't the rernotest idea
what it will be. He can't be tried till
fall. and meanwhile I'm afraid he'll
have to stay in Jail"
out" agreed my partner. But the
girls danger is much more serious.
Can't we do something for her?"
It's. difficult to do anything against
her will" I pointed out. Besides, I've
lost interest in her a little"
Don't blame her too much-we must
do everything we can. Since she isn't
of age shell AVE to have a guardian
appointed. He might do something"
Il had thought Of that; I'll suggest
to her tonight that she let me arrange
for a guardian. But if we wait for a
be too late. Swain seems to think that
the danger is very pressing"
A least we can make one more eff
fort" said Mr.. Royce. TIL have my
wife drive out to see her his afternoon.
Perhaps h can do something and he
went to the phone to make the ar
engagements
I turned back to my work, but found
myself unable to take it up, for my
conscience told me that I ought to see
Swain, make sure that he was com
Portable, and do what I could to relieve
his anxiety. 1t was not a pleasant
task, for l should have to admit my
failure. but at last 1 put my work
aside, made my way reluctantly to the
Tombs. n asked to see him.
They n given him a well lighted
cell on the upper tier, and some Of his
w things a been brought in to
soften it's baroness, but my first glance
at Swain told me that he was in a bad
way.
rs she all right?" was his first ques-
ton, II his eyes seemed to burn into
me.
Yes" 1 answered a little testify,
"sne's all right-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 a
minute. Mo, l believe not"
How about breakfast"
1 don't seem to remember about
breakfast" he answered. after a mo-
ment's thought.
l stepped to HI 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 in
the course Of half an hour. When the
barber arrived. I had him take Swain
IN hand, give him a shave and sham
POO and general freshening UP. Then
the breakfast arrived. and I made him
SIT down and eat. He obeyed passively,
and could see the food did him good.
When he a finished his coffee, /
handed him a cigar.
NOW, SWAIN" I began, sitting down
opposite him, I'm going to talk to you
seriously. In the first place, Miss
vaughan is in no danger. Simmonds
mad Two men in the grounds watching
the mouse all last night, ready to inter-
fere at the least sign of anything
wrong. That watch will be kept up