The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-09-21
Z on again, but with one ovsrmastering pur-

so itlIi OF concentrated force that he staggered
under il, uttered a low cry, aud fell heavily to
the ground.
Then, and only then. the power to move
came back to me; and l sprang to his assist
ance. He was lying on his bsox, gasping; he
had become as black in the free as if he had
been transformed into q veritable demon.
With great difficulty l succeeded III loosening
his collar; each moment, it seemed TO me-, must
be his last.
1laised him from the floor and placed him
on the sofa: and slowly signs of consciousness
returaed. After staring around the room In .
strange, bewildered fashion, his eyes settled
upon my face.
care you all right now?"
he put his hand to his forehead, and . look
of pain passed over his face such as l shall
never forget
A right" said he; call right It was only
o dream"
Then he again turned his face toward the
wall, mSttering, "Only a dream" and then he
again fell asleep.
Ny pulse, beating loudly, sounded in my ear
like ghostly whisperings that seemed to warm
me that l was alone in my chamber with the
man who had murdered tho father Of Alice
Darrell
When I had found my way into the bedroom,
and struck q light, l formed a resolution to act
promptly as soon as morning dawned. l fell
into a sleep, against which l had struggled
successfully for hours. l soon began to dream
that some one was knocking at the door-a
SscSoAIr "AiANL SNIlS " WI " Jul .
when suddenly l opened my eyes and found
myself III broad daylight.
AS the knocking still went on I sprang up
and exclaimed: who's therog"
"Only me, sir"
It was the voice of my laundress, Mrs. Bill
ings
"Why, what's the time?" ..
"S'ruck 3, Sir, if vou!l believe me"
1~opened the door and glanced quickly toward
I the sofa.
Scrogeio had vanished
"Where is Mr.. Scroggie?" said I.
"Gone, sir; hours ago." said Mira. Billings,
Says he, sir: DON'T disturb Mr.. Field Them
was his words. Says he, sir: Mr.. Field amt
we'll And, SAYS he"
'What time did he go?"
Scroggie," said my laundress, medi-
taiively, "When l comes into the room, sir,
he jumps up and goes out. If you'll believe
me-"
"Do you know if Mr.. Bowser is in?"
Mrs. Billings gave me a smile through the
black patches on her red face and said:
"Lor', sir, Mr: Bowser went out early, too"
"But he may have returned"
mo, sir. lie amt returned" said Mrs.
Billings. Twas in his rooms not five minutes
ago. If you'll believe me-"
1now remembered my engagement to take tea
with Miss Pilkington and Alice Darrell; and it
occurred to me, as not improbable, that Frank
Bowser had already gone to Gui!ford street,
where they lived. 1t was nearly 4 o'clock, 80
l hastened TO make my toilet.
AS ldrove 10 Miss Piekington's, meditating
over Bowscr's scheme to awaken u guilty con-
science witt: the clink of gold, a thought which
had hitherto only taken shadowy form in my
mind now took shape. | became convinced
that Bowser suspected Scrog.ie; and Scroggie
was the man he was hunting down.
The necessity FOR seeing Bowser, concern
ing this strange affair, appeared every moment
more urgent Yet. as the cab drew up Ut Miss
Pilktng'ou's door, | felt unnerved and disin-
clined to meet him. His conduct required
SOM explanation, He had not, l thought, be-
huved to me- like a friend.
Miss Pilkineton's house in Guilford street
had an oid-feshioued appearance of comfort
which was exceedingly inviting. Passing
through the snug entrance hall, where a strong
inner door seemed to be holdluS all draush:s at
defiance, and up a softly-carpeted staircase, l
was shown into u room in which the air WAS as
warm and pleasant rs a well-vennlated con-
servatory; ard here i found Miss Piikiugton.
sitting i'll an arm char, near the fire, wrapped
up as If she were some rare exotic.
Alice Darrell came forward to welcome me. in
that unaffected manner in which she received
all Frank Bowser's friends.
"And where Is Mr.. Eowser?;' said Miss Pix
ington.
Alice seconded the question with her large,
dark, inquIring eyes.
said that l had not seen Frank Bowser
sinca the previous evening, and that l had ex-
pec;cd to find him already hore.
Ole is not ii ?' said Alice.
Ny face must have expressed anxiety, for
Alice Darrell gave ME II quick, sea rching look
whicl, | had difficulty III meeting without be-
truying my thoughts.
No said l. why should YOU think tl,ste,
Il don't know" said she, twisting her en-
cagement ring nervouslv round her finger.
'But I'm sure You are coucealtng something"
'Nousenae, child" said Miss pilkington,
Strengthening her tack-''nonsense. Make tho
tea"
And the exotic" aunt glanced from Alice to
tho tea-tray which stood Oh u side-table near
her chair. Miss Pilkington priled herself lpon
her punctuality in all her domestic arrange
ments.
Wont YOU wait a little while for Frank %
said Alice.
Certainly not" said Miss Pilkinetou. forcing
out the words in an exhausted voice.
Alice poutea her pretty lips and tears came
into her eyes, as she rose from her seat.
10 escapo as soon as possible from this dis
turbing domestic calm seemed to mo o grave
state of mental agony, conversing on trivial
subjects with Miss Ptkington over cups OF
tea; and when / rose, and held out my hand,
she said in a lofty manner: y
"Tel Nil. Bower, when YOU sec him, that l
like punctuallty. l have been accustomed to
it, in India, al my life. Good evening""
l had scarcely reached the first landing
when l was arrested by hearing Alice Darelis
voice. sci
s'Stay one moment, dlease," said Alice, as
''S tttS y tSllNt ioohiklS
up beseechingly into my face Il must hear
the truth. II anything has happened 10 Frank
do not conceal it from me-"
no longer doubted that she knew Of his
mad scheme, and disapproved of it strongly.
Nothing has happened" saldI that know
Of"
"But you have somo reason to be so anx-
ious?"
"Yes," I said. cts no use trying to keep
that from you"
''Nhere is he to-nipht9n
81 cannot tell you. am going to look for
him now"
Alice glanced up tho stairs and then into my
faco distraotedly.
81 wish l could come, too.n
81 took her hand and said:
"Trust me, Alice; l will find him. It is
cruel to give you so much anxiety.
Al soon as 1 reached the street I sprang into
. cab which was passing and drove back 10 the
Temple. II l had been released from prison I
could not have experienced a greater sense Of
freedom, though the position Of affairs APP
peared no less serious-far from that. But I
seemed to have thrown of heavy letters and
to be graphing with the situation now in good
earnca..
First I stepped across to Bowser's chambers;
but as l ascended the staircase I saw, with a
sinking hope, that his outer door WAS closed, a
sure sign that he was not there. Neverthe-
less l knocked loudly; but l received no
answer.
Next I went to my own rooms. T searched
in my box for letters. There were several, but
not a limo from Frank.
I stood for some minutes meditating over
what course l should now pursue.
Suddenly l emembered Frank Bowser's
words; Pm hunting about near tho docks at
Limehouse."
1t seemed like a voice; and I was eager to
start.
Having put on a thick coat, and selected a
heavy walking stick, l fastened out again into
the night, and turned my steps toward Lime
house.
When I reached the railway terminus, near
Fenchurch street., l was told that q train would
start for tho docks i'll a few minutes and az I
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