The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-05-22
Grace Livingston HM Luts

1 startling revelation of some pure
dream of his childhood, the reality Of
which he had come to doubt. His
knowledge of the world told him that
probably she was frail and human and
know her, but for the sake of what she
seemed to be he was glad of the vision,
and would protect her at all costs be-
cause she was a woman and ought to
have been perfect. That was his atti-
tude toward the world of m at
that time.
Nevertheless ais he looked again at
the pure profile turned o toward her
window, and studied the sweet outline
Of the firm little chin, pleasant lips,
the gentle contour Of cheek and lash
and brow, the luminous eyes that were
! glowing for the moment at the stain OF
sunset beginning to trickle through
the gloomy gray of the sky, he could
not but feel that here was something
different. 1t was something for which
he had been hoping all his life-search-
ing for, but never finding. Something
it was good just to know existed;
something whose existence would
make even a stranger better and
Drawer and purer.
She vas slight, small, exquisitely
fashioned; dressed in some simple,
clinging, dark blue material of form
so suitable as to make n fail to no
tice just what 1t was. Sheer white
rolled back collar and cuffs set out the
white throat and the small gloved
hands; the close, dark blue hat with
it's graceful tilt and simple garnishing
seemed Just the loveliest setting for
the beautiful face framed in it's soft
dark hair. Her face was wonderfully
pure, free from self consciousness and
pride; yet she looked as II she knew
her own mind and could stand like a
rock for a principle. There was also a
determined little uplift to her chin that
showed a spirit Of her own, and a
leeting dimple that promised a merry
appreciation of humor II one knew her
well enough; but the whole dainty
person was good to look upon and Holt
kept the vision within his conscious
ness while be covered Scathlin with
his gaze.
He loathed his task of watching
: Scathlin, and somehow the sight Of the
pure faced girl had made 1t even more
distasteful. For two weeks now he
had been at it, day and night. He had
! not let Scathlin cut of his sight. for one
moment since he had found him in
B Dsyt.I,,rUh fnyn dove affor tho thnff
Of his wallet containing valuable pa
pers, land grants, water rights and
other documents relating to his silver
mines and other property. .
Holt had suspected the old man at
once when the wallet was miJsing,
partly because Scathlin had been seen
twice in conversation with the mar
Harrington, who vas Hollis sworn
enemy and who was doing all he could
to ruin his prospects and dispute his
rights to the water power which made
the working OF. his mines possible; and
partly because Scathlin had been dis
missed summarily from Hollis employ
but a few days previous to the disap-
pearance Of the property.
He had trailed Scathlin to Pitts
burgh, where he found him mounted
on a high stool in the station restau-
rant eating a comfortable breakfast.
The old rascal turned white under his
tan and stubble, and dropped his knife
and fork loudly on the marble of the
counter at the appearance of his for
mer employer; but the cunning in his
face had come at once to the front, and
he welcomed Holt as il 1t were the
pleasantest thing in the world to have
him appear just at that lonely moment
and eat breakfast with him.
1t was Hollis way not to settle the
matter right then and there by turning
the old man Owe to the police OF sus-
picion, but to attach himself to Scath-
Hin and find out exactly where those
papers were, and who were the mans
employers in the theft. He was wary
enough to know that Scathlin might
have already got rid Of the wallet, and
he wished if possible to find out what
he had done with the papers and get
Scathlin into his power until he could
make him produce them or tell their
whereabouts.
Harrington was superintendent Of
large mine interests in Hawk valley,
located near Hollis veins of silver, and
owned by ar eastern syndicate. Holt
knew that capital and cunning might
do a great deal to cripple his interests
IL they NICE got him in their power.
Therefore he had Swallowed Scathlin
day and night all these days. On pre-
tense OF wanting company for a pleas
ure trip he had gone wherever Scath-
lin profeased to be going, giving him
no opportunity to W. telegraph to
any OF the other co.s.pirators for
money or instructions; eating with
him, sleeping with him-at least pre-
tending to sleep-sticking to him
every minute and watching him every
waking second.