The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-03-04

wen, DAVID querieu Gran
ADDS lazily.
am not more slperstitious
than other men, Noel answered.
But ] am haunted tonight, Gil.
| could say Corey Bruce was at
my side, graspiug at me-a re-
proaehful ghost. !"
You think, then, he is?"
IF he were alive, why should
he conceal hinlselfs l am sorry
Milo, as Che younger man
moved ''You know we have
searched. .
You believe he was muir
dered?' Milo asked hoarsely.
He had reason to believe the
safe would be robbed, since he
removed its contents to another
place | fear he tried to defend
it. and was killed. A body can
be hidden. 1t is hard to hide a
living man: and what object
could there be in kidnapping him?
Whatever happened while he
was alone i'll the library, we may
never know. Perhaps he was de
tending you, Gil while YOU lay
helpless upstairs.
Granados did not at once re-
ply. When he finally spoke it
was with marked reluctance. He
avoided looking at Noel, who
stood near a pillar, his profile
dark against the moon shitened
stones as he looked down the
white road as if curiously ex-
pectant of some visitor.
"You know, you both know,
Granados slowly commenced.
''that | liked Bruce. He pleased
me much from the first. Yet
there is rumor afloat--it drifts
to me here and there-from men
| trust, but who hardly know
how it came to their ears. David,
did you never think that Bruce
was a convict here, with a long
sentence to serve, but in his own
country he would be secure and
free? Of course, you protect
him. Still, he might have wanted
his liberty. When | was ill, no
one to watch him--he might have
fled the country
NO Gil, | never thought
that, :" Noel quietly returned.
COREY Bruce had no need to es-
cape from this country. He
might have gone openly had he
chosen. l obtained his pardon
from the governor before sailed
for New York, and spoke to him
about it myself to be sure that he
had received the certificate |
warned him that in case Of my
death or Meyers political sue
cess, it might not be duplicated. y
Granados uttered an exclama-
ton of strong astonishment.
"You did? He never spoke of
that to me. | cannot under
stand. -
HE said very little to me, =
Noel returned. 81 had Milo give
the paper to him. l did not want
to embarrass him.
Cor want him to thank you, !"
Granados supplied. ssWhat did
re say TO you, Mi Milo: ; 49,
Milo stirred in his chair.
Nothing" his low voice an
swered. 81 was in an envelope;
the pardon, | mean. He just
took it. I went out Of the room.
I Deyer could bear to think Of
him as convict. / never felt
that he was one except by mis-
take. He was one Of us! [ left
him alone to open the envelope. !"
He spoke to you about it
afterwardf"
"No. / was glad. I knew he
must have spoken to Dom David,
thanked him, of course
He did not,'' Noel corrected.
81 said what / thought necessary
to him of the matter, and there it
was dropped"
But Milo began, raising
himself in his chair he
thanked you ri IS
He said nothing
The three regarded each other.
Granados spoke first.
David, something is wrong.
Your American was the most
grateful soul alive. He spoke to
me once Of his glasses; of your
getting them for him !! He
never mind But II know he
never took his freedom from you
without q word. IS
have had much to fill my
mind, !" Noel deprecated. s No,
- ~ = III 4.