Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-06-24

Hnh Nchc W Hci NHSIl tbc StIFdilt
had told her Of what was going on
a fancy that Uncle Benny had com
back-was banished instantly.
Alan led her into the room acros
from the library.
"Y0u shouldn't have come in" h
said. Il shouldn't have let you In
but--you saw him"
"Yes."
"Do you know him?"
Know him?" She shook her head
Il mean, you've never seen him be
fore?"
"No."
"HIs name Is Luke--he speaks q
himself by that name Did you evel
hear my father mention man named
LukeT
mo: never"
Luke's voice cut suddenly their con
versation; the doctor probably had
| given him some stimulant.
| "Where'sh Ben Corvet?" Luke de.
manded arrogantiy of the doctor
"You go get Fen Corvet! Tell Ben
Corvet I want drink right away. Tell
Ben Coryet I want my thousan dol
lar p
Constance turned swiftly to her
maid. go out to the car and wait
for me- she commanded.
Luke's muffied. heavy voice went on !:
moments while he fought for breath
interrupted It.
"You hear me. you d--n min! !.
You go to-. Ben Corvet | want my
thousan' dollars, or make 1t two mex
time You hear me; you go tell Ben
Corvet. You let me go. you
d--n Injin!7 ~.
Through the doorway to the library
they could see the doctor force Luke
back upon the couch Luke fought him
furiousy; then. suddenly as he had
stirred TO strength and fury. Luke COL
lapsed again. His voice went on
moment more. and rapidly growing
weaker:
"You tell Ben Corvet want my
money, or I'll tell. He knows what
I'LL tell. You don't know. you
Injin devil. Ben Corvet knows.
and know. Tell him I'll tell
(. Ill tell I'll tell The
threatening voice stopped suddenly.
Constance. very pale, again faced
Alan. "Of course, | understand" she
said. Uncle Benny has been paying
blackmail to this man. For years, per-
haps. y She repeated the word
after an instant. In a frightened voice.
'Blackmail r
Won't you please go. Miss Sher-
rillY' Alan urged her. TT was good |
OF you to come; but you mustn't stay
now. He's-he's dying, of course"
She seated herself upon chair.
I'm going to stay with you" she said
simply. 1t was not, she knew, to share
he waiting for the man In the next
'oom to die; In that, of itself. there
,Quld be nothing for him to feel II
vas to be with him while realization
which had come to her was settling
lpon him, Generalization of what
his meant to him. He was realizing
hat, she thought; he had realized 1t;
made him, at moments, forget her
While, listening for sounds from the
Their room, he paced back ana forth
eside the table or stood staring
way, cinging to the portleres. He
eft her presently. and went across the
all to the doctor.
rs he deady" Constance heard him
SIX.
mot yet" the doctor answered but
won't be long. now"
There's nothing you can do to make
i'm talk--briug him to himself long
nough so that he win tell what he
eeps threatening to tell?"
The doctor shrugged. "How many
mes. do you suppose. he's been drunk
nd still not told? Concealment Is his
Established habit now. It's an inhibi. !
on; even In wandering. he stops short /.
actually telling anything"
Alan came back to Constance. Out.
dc, the gray of dusk was spreading.
I'd within the house II had grown
,rk II was very qiiet In the library
le could not even hear LilSe's breath.
< now. Then the doctor came out to
EN-.
ITS over" he said to Alan "rlere's
law covering these cases: you may
It be familiar with II. I'll make out !
9 death neutrality-suspicious. and
weak heart with alcoholism Bun the
lice have to be notified mt once; you "
We no choice as 10 thar. I'll look
ter those things for you. II you =
mt"
THANK you; II you will" Alan went
III the doctor to the door and saw =
m drive away, Returning. he drew u
e library portieres: then. coming
OK 10 Constance, he picked AZ her
iff and collar from the chair where q
e had thrown them. and held them %
I to her.
You'll so now. Miss Sheriff." he 9
ID. "Indeed. you mustn't say here Ia
your cars still waiting. aud--you p
lstn't stay here in this honse," "
Won't you come over home with y
~ she said, "and wait for father W
re till We can think this thing our N
,ether?" ~
Her sweetness almost broke him ~
wn. This ~. together, Think w
S out oh, it's plain enough ISM NJ