The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-02-05

pected a visitor. And he would
have given everything that he
/ hoped from life to have Granados
awake to consciousness before
that visitor came. The doctor had
said he might awaken at any
time.
He did not awake. He looked
like a man who might sleep for
ever, Bruce thought. He himself
had scarcely slept for three
nights; not since he had received
a note from the visitor he now
awaited, announcing in suave and
harmless terms that the writer
would have the honor of calling
upon him today! ~
1t was strange that Granados
mount should haze thrown his
rider that night; the night that.
Bruce had meant to show the note
TO the other man and confidc in
HIM. 1t was as strange as for
Granados to fall lumpishly, awk-
wardly as a park rider, and on
the smooth driveway. Suppose the
accident to Granados had not
been an accident? Suppose-
A servant appeared in the door
way.
1.-The Senior .Jacinto Meyer. y
he announced in sibilant breath,
rolling his eyes toward the sick
man.
Bruce also looked toward
Granados. But neither voice nor
entrance disturbed the sleeper's
deep and false tranquility. The
mans hand projecting from the
splint rested on a breast Just
stirred by rhythmic breathing.
Bruce stopped above him with a
lingering hope that died as he
looked, then reluctantly turned
away and motioned the servant to
go before him into the hall and
down the stairs.
Jacinto Meyer was standing
beside the fountain in the hall.
Languid, anaemic in appearance,
he hid a cruel vitality like that Of
a reptile behind his colorless ex-
terror. There was something rep
titan in the eyes he had turned
toward the door of the music
room where he had first encoun-
tered Corey Bruce and fought for
the letter to the lady called Rose.
To the man descending the stairs,
Meyer looked triumphant; wick
ed and triumphant. Once the
American had seen the eyes of an
alligator in a river, as it drew a
native child under the yellow
waters. He remembered that in
cident now, and how he had vain
ly emptied his rifle after the
brute in frenzy of horror and
disgust. He fancied that now he
confronted similar thing; but he
was disarmed.
Jacinto Meyer turned around
with a military stiffness of move
ment and bowed. His expressions
less eyes were not at all like the
alGgator's, after all, they were
more like the artificial eyes Of a
doll.
81 hope our esteemed Marshal
Granados is improved?" he in
quired. 81 heard of his accident
with infinite distress.
"Did you?'' asked Bruce, He
looked at the other with listless
speculation. "He is well enough,
the doctor says. =
Not yet conscious?"
"Not YETI
"Shall we,' suggested Meyer
mildly, ssshall we go in the beau
tiful garden Of Senior Noel, lest
we disturb the sick mani"
eff you like Bruce assented.
They went forth together with
every outward sign of accord.
Meyer led the way along a wind
ing path to a little pavilian that
stood on a knoll, beyond the pos
sibiEty of listeners approaching it
unseen. In its shelter, they sat
down.
Have you?" questioned
Meyer, after brief pause. Have
you been thinking Of our last con
versation, Senior Bruce?"
Bruce slowly raised his head
and looked into the pale eyes Of
the other man. His thin hands
clenched.
You know very well that /
thought Of nothing else, !" he an
swered, with bitter repression Of
his despair. Ever since the day
Senior Noel left, when you came
in with the marshal and found
me i'll, you have left me no peace,
Not not that you have said 50
much Only hints, damnable
hintsI
"a man with q past, and past
not pretty, has little annoyances, 2
Meyer smiled. sThe annnvancas