The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-07-17

over the level plain he was going over
his recent experience; going back to
the moment when the girl entered
upon his vision and looked at him
with that clear, direct gaze that trust
ed him; thinking over eyere detail of
his finding her in the darkness and
peril; the miracle that he and not some
other should have found n saved
her; recalling every incident of the
beautiful wearisome way by which
they had gone home together; and the
wonder Of the girls faith in him, her
love for him-his love for her,
Any one watching the absorbed 81
lent man sitting alone, his head
dropped bach against the seat, mis- hat
drawn down over his eyes, the lines
of gravity deep upon brow and lip
and chin, would have judged him for a
much older man than he was, so ma
turing had life Illus far been to him.
And now, the task that was before
him was to find Scathlin--if, indeed, he
were still in the land Of the llvins-or
some evidence that he was dead; and
to know beyond a question OF doubt
what had become Of those paper. and
just how far Harrington had been re
sponsible for the theft.
He loathed Ills task, yet felt COM
PEELED by some inner urging to finish
1t. Almost his soul reyolted to the e
tent of giving up the case and letting
his enemies triumph yer him. What
to him now was his silver mine, since
he had found her-and lost her for
eve:? Why not let his property go and
leave Hawk Valley forever, where his
reputation had undons him in his
greatest opportunity? Why rot go to
some new land where he was unknown
and begin all over again?
But his soul was too strong and true
for that. He must face his mistakes In
the place where he had made them
and ondo, If might be. some Of the
harm he. had done. He had 20 do
this whether he would or nc 1t was
right that he shonld find his papers
and make good his claim. 1t was a
part of the true living he had set him.
self from this time forth. He had
promised to let people see that he
was trustworthy and this was the
first step. If Harrington and his men
got their way he would be branded as
a thief and n liar again and the old
reputation only fixed the firmer.
was toward evening when they
pa. sd the scene OF the late disaster
and the long rays OF the sun rested
oyer the river and valley where peril
and death had brooded. A temporary
way bad been made for the tracks, all
sigrs of death and disaster swept
hastily out Of sight by the wrecking
train. and the tide of travel wal al.
ready rolling calmly On again. A
sym of workmen, like ants carrying
Grains of sand over a wall. were at
work on the broken bridge, and the
passing traveller locked cheerfully
across and got no hint of fire and fear
and sudden death. Even the trainmen
had had their orders and answered
gruffly in brief sentences, when
1uassiosaa SSSSo:::: .hac wreck, turning ]!
off lightly as a small thing, until they
heard that here was n of the almost
victims Of the accident. Then they
looked sharply a second time and stole
back to talk in low tones with guarded
sentences about where the blame
should lie. But no one know much
about the details, after all. The cor.
duator reluctantly admitted that the
victims. those who had been saved
had been taken to the nearest city and
distributed among the hospitals. Thai
ga all. He implied that there were
many victims who had not ever thai
comfort.
So, on to the nearest city went Jas
per Holt, arriving shortly after sun
down. and began his search among the
hospitals at once, having visited the
railroad office and got all the infor
nation they could give him.
Three days and two night Jasper
Holt searched, in hospitals and NOR
que. and even private homes. Where
ever Rhe could learn OF a person wht
had been through the accident h,
weots TO see If they knew any clue tt
the nan he sought. but not a hint dit
he lid.
Il was entirely REASONABLE o SUP
poe that Scathlin had lost his life il
the fire or the river, and to feel tina
further search was unnecessary. Blu
Jasper Holt, standing at the window o
his hotel and looking out OF
the busy streets of that western cit.
toward evening Of the third day
could not Neet II SO More and NOR
1t became necessary to find that mar
or be sure OF hss death. The tire,
days of .yisiting hospitals and viewing
suffering and death had craven Til
sad lines ven deeper in his fine
strong face. It began to seem now t
him that he might e hare q dut
Y tnvarA that laathsome creature Scati
In. Enough heaven knows why an
sHch thonght should have entered i
head, seeing he vas the Injured, nc
the tnSuring. But the more he though
abont Il the nor he felt that ha mus
ae4Pch Observation-Disclosures
To look any longer IN the eis5 va
absurd. He had already II ever