Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-11-16

house had been fooled somehow. and
she bad run away. Perhaps her mother
and brother were gone with her. The
same threats that had made her bend
to him once should follow Ter wherever
she had gone. Sns vys,a marry him
fold. He Mssa . gkak.ng hand of exc
Grafton t1yynrd tho train which by this
time waz vanishing into the dark open
ing at the end OF the station, where
signal lights like red bcr-.ss f~estooned
themselves in an arch against the
blackness, and the lights OF the last car
paled and vanished like a Forgotten
dream.
Then he turned and hobbled slowly
back to the gates regardless of the
merrirnent he was arousing in the
genial trainmen: for he was spent and
bruised, and his appearance was any
thing but dignified. No member OF the
Wedding company had they seen him
at this j%uncture would have recognized
In him any resemblance TO the hand
om gentleman who had played his
part IN the wedding ceremony. No one
would have thought it possible that he
couia be Celia HathaWay's bridegroom.
Slowly back to the gate he crept.
haggard. dishevelied. crestfallen; his
halr IN It's several isolated locks down
fallen over his forehead, his collar
wilted, his clothes smearcd with chalk
and dust, his oyercoat dragging for
lornly behind him. He was trying to
aeclae what to do next, and realizing
the torment of a perpetual thirst, when
a band was laid suddenly upon him
and n voice that showhow had a ia
taInillar tWang, said: You will come
with me, sir"
He looked up and there before him in
the flesh were the eyes of the man who
mad haunted him for years, the very
eyes grown younger, and filled with
more IMAM ~reproach. They were pierre
ing him with more thar reproach.sT They
were piercing him with the .kecnness of
~retribution. They said, as plainly as
those eyes In the closet had spoken but
a brief hour before: Your time is
over. My time has come. You have
sinned. You shall suffer. Come now
n meet your reward"
He started back In horror. His hands
trembled and his brain reeied. He
wished for another cocktail to help
MN 10 meet this most extraordinary
Surely, something had hap
pehed to his nerves that he was seeing
these eyes In reality, and hearing the
voice, that old mans voice made young,
pludlng him come with him. 1t could
not be, of course. He was unperved
with all he had been through. The
man had mistaken him for some one
Or perhaps it was not a. man after ali
He glanced quickly around to see If
others saw him, and at once became
aware that a crowd was collecting
about them.
me man with the strange eyes and
the FAMILIAR voice was dressed in plain
cio,hes, but he seemed to have full
issuance ina ne was a real live man
ana mad a right to dictate. George
mayne could not shake away his grasp.
Ihere was a determination about il
ina struck terror to his soul. and he
mad a weak desire to scream and hide
nus eyes; Could he be coming down
win dclirium tremens? That brandy
must nave been unusually stronp ~
have lasted so long in it's effects. Then
ne made a weak effort to speak, but his
voice small and frightened.
Inc eyes took his assurance from him
VINO are 2" he asked, and meant
10 add, What right have you to die
tate to me?' but the words died away
az ms throat, for the plainclothes man
hau opened his coal n disclosed a
badge that shone with a sinister light
straight into his eyes.
=, i am Norman Brand" answered
the voice, and l want you for what
You dld to my father. 1t is time YOU
paiu your debt. You were the cause
or his humiliation and death. I have
been watching for you for years. 7 saw
the notice OF your wedding in the paper
ana was tracking you. 1t was for his
l entered the service. Come with me"
With a cry of horror George Havnes
Wrenched away from his captor and
turned to flee, but instantly three re-
volvers were ~levelled at him, and he
round that two policemen in brass but
tous were stationed behind him and
the crowd closed in about him
Wherever he turned it was to look into
the barrel of a gun, and there was no
escape in n direction.
They led him away to the patro,
wagon, the erstwhile bridegroom. and
In place Of the immaculate linen he had
searched so frantically for in his apart
ment they put upon his wrists cuffs of
iron. They put him in a cell and left
him with eyes of the old man for COM
pany and the haunting likeness of his
sons voice filling him with frenzy,
The un~quenchable thirst came upon
him and he begged for brandy and
soda, u none came to Stake his thirst.
for he had crossed the great gulf and
justice at last q him In her grin.