The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-07-03

and he heard me tell the conductor
that you had t~elegraphed for a berth
for me, SO he asked IL ! would give
you these papers at once. II he knows
about the accident, he's worrying
about his precious bundle by this time,
l suspect. Wait, I'll get it. It's up
stairs in my bag"
Jean hurried up to her room and had
a little difficulty in finding the bag.
which she finally discovered under a
trunk tray. The sight Of the little
waxv paper. cups and her own little
damp wad OF. a handkerchief she and
Holt had both used for a towel that
afternoon when they washed their
hands at a spring, struck a pang to
her heart The dampness and stuffed
condition Of the bag made 1t difficult
to get the bundle out, and giving 1t an
impatient jerk she turned the whole
thing upside down on the little table
that stood by the bedside. The bundle
rolled to the floor, opening as 1t fell,
for the edges OF the leather cas- had
loosened with the wetting they had
received, and let out the papers that
1t held. jean stopped YEARLY and
gathered them up with a gingerly
touch, remembering the uncouth old
man who had given 1t to her, and was
rather surprised that the papers them
selves looked, clean and were evenly
folded She hurried down to the
bright living room, holding them out
to Mr.. Harrington, and was startled
at the look on his face as he saw
what she gave him
"You needn't be afraid, it's not a
ghost" she laughed as she put the
damp package in his hand. TITS rath-
er dilapidated, but it's all there. I
did the best I could with it, but 1t was
submerged for a lon gtime, and I had
no opportunity to dry it." rs
Harrington said nothing, but his face
turned suddenly white and his hand
shook as he turned back the limp leath-
er and looked at the folded papers in
side. She saw by his expression that
he knew what 1t was.
"Are they so very Important" she
asked. ~ ..
Pretty important" he said briefly,
opening the papers one at a time and
half turning away from her as If he did
not wish her to see them.
I'm glad I saved them, then" she
said fervently. II came near throwing
them away when I dropped out Of that
window. The old man was so dirty
] couldn't bear to have anything he
had handled. Well, good night"
She turned away, feeling that he
wished to be alone with the papers,
but he looked up and called her back.
wait, Jean. What kind of a look
ing man was it who gave them to
your" s,.r
She told him in detail.
ibid you let anyone see this case?"
he asked sharply. waa-n sya8y
mo-" said Jean, and then remem-
bered. Wei not exactly. 1t fell
out OF my bag once and the paper I
had wrapped 1t in fell of, but there
was no one by but MI. Holt and he
didn't notice 1t in the least"
"Are you sure?" questioned her
brother, nfs face white, his expression
growing tense with anxiety. "How
near was he?" p"
HE was standing by, not three feet
away, and he stnpped and picked up
the case and handed 1t back to me
without saying a word" said Jean, a
hint almost of indignation in her tona
that warned her brother he had gone
far enough in his inquiries.
"Wdl, new mind" he said, turning
away. Its all right, OF eourse These
are very important papers relating I'd
some business my company is carrying
on, and Holt has been making o. good
deal Of trouble for us would rather
he didn't know about them"
Jean was vexed, she scarcely knew
why, and stood for an instant hesitat-
ing. Should she say mor or go imme-
diately u~pstairsH 1t was very strange
for James to act that way, as IL it were
her fault. And it was most unreason.
able and unjust for him to feel that
way about Jasper Holt. Her soul re-
NOIteu dSinSI It,
Harrington looked up, annoyed, rs II
he would be rid Of the girl; and then,
realizing the look of wonder ON her
face, he tried to control his expression
and smile.
"Well, good night, Jean. Don't let
this trouble you. I'm deeply grateful
that you were so faithful as to guard
the papers through all your expert
ences. Rest well ana don't think any
more about It,"
So dismissed, the girl turned slowly
and mounted the stairs, but as she
glanced back she saw him %1uttering
the papers over as II he were counting
them two or three times. AS she
reached the landing she heard him
summon a servant and send him III
hot haste for someone named Gar
.rett.".
"Teil him he must come at once, It is
important, urgent business was the
message sent. Then she closed her
door and went about her preparations
for the night, but her mind was
strangely disturbed.
,Continued Next Week.)
.,Autocrat Of the Air.
No. .ho Con Eranrisco Arponaof