The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-10-12
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(Copyrlght. 1894, by Tillotson & Son.I
CHAPTER VI.
Under 4 CLOUD.

II was Oeenneu 10 nave Deeu-Ol MIS-.
Davorn, the young doctor was in tn"
front parlor endeavoring to comfort the
weeping girl. At first he almost dread
ed to refer in any way to the terribl"
tragedy. Maurice Leclerc was himself
in a wildly excited condition. When he
felt that Ethel had grown calm he could
contain himself no longer, and Q Il
menced to pace the room, his hands
folded behind his back. In a few NO
ments he felt that he must speak direct
" Of the tragedy.
1T is a horrible business altogether,
dearest" he said. The more l look at
it the worse it secms.'
Il should not feel the awfulness Of it
so much only for the hot words l had
last night with herewith my dear aunt,
who has been MY only friend and pro-
tector since my father died. 1t cuts me
to the heart to think l can nevermOre
see her or hear her voice, never be able
to seek her forgiveness.
Il know, l know, Ethel, dearest"
said Leclerc, standing still a moment,
and then Selling the girls hand. Il
must seem horribly selfish to you, l am
horribly selfish, but try not to blame
me. dearest. l love you better than all
the world; I cannot think of anything
or anybody calmly when my thoughts
are OF you. Do not think too badly Of
me if l cannot share the sorrow you
naturally feel at your terrible loss. We
were never FRIENDSHIP and I. 1t is
your trouble and my own selfish ROT
bles that are now d~iStracting me. Let
me be candid, dearest. as l have always,
I hope, been with you, whatever may
have been my faults. l awoke this
morning the happiest man in England.
Ny hope of calling you this day my
wife dashed all my dark clouds away.
l am now the most wretched man in
the wOrld.'
DR.. Leclerc spoke with almost breath
less rapidity.
Don't say that, Maurice. Try and
control yourself. Why should you be
the most wretched man in the world?'
why? Am l not already suspected
can feel it, know it-of the crime that
has been committed under this roof"
"Oh, you must not say such wicked,
such foolishly wicked things cried
the young girl, rising and staring at
him with wild and horror laden eyes.
Listen to me, dearest; listen to me.
am trying to control myself. On my
way here I met Percival and a police
inspector in the Crescent road. They
told me what had happened-so far as
they knew. l guessed the rest. The
money is eone-this cursed money that
is always at the bottom of all mischief.
Is it not So"
Il think the money is gone an
swered the girl in a trembling voice.
The desk is lying on the floor broken
up. 1t caught my eyes before I knew
anything of the terrible discovery l was
about to make
My poor darling. 1t is selfish of me
to be able to think Of little else but my
miserable self. But don't you see how
much reason l nave to be almost mad:
Don't you see that with that other
charge hanging over me, with the
know ledge that l was in sore trouble for
money, that money would save me from
disgrace, from ruin-don't you see that
suspicion vii be fastened upon me,
such suspici, as l can never hope to
outlive: ga ci"n-Godh help memo;
only Of thCI. t Of murder.
He flung IS arms as he spoke and
was again It TO continue his wild
walk up al Vn the room when the
young girl -ht him firmly by the
wrists and wing him toward hcl
kissed his T.
Dearest he mUrrlurcd, rapturOuS'
~. "YOu most make me forget thai
| am SO ut, unworthy of YOU"
Come. : urlce, you must not give
way to fool 4 fears. The guilty person
whoever be is, will be discovered"
my darling, my darling! But" Will
a weary sigh, you must think of thu
situation as it stands. Here am L;
man in desperate need, a man about t.
fly from the Countrywide last person
who visited this house last night-wh,
visited it t who will believe me-
only to be IT her who was to hav
been my W ebay"
YES, DE- t Maurice-who will b
your wife t r if you wish it"
mo, no, > he exclaimed. "No
with this nC loud hanging over me
1t would be Nwardly act, a dastardl
act, to Civ you my doubly smirche
name"
What concern is it Of any one O
earth if l choose to accept that name?
have no fear. / am alone in the worlG
have only you"
"You tempt me sadly, dearest" h
murmured, but l will not be mea
enough, selfish enough, to take adva,
tage Of your great generosity. No,
cannot be. Ethel Just think of it cain
~. LOOK at matters as If 1 were not
ing to you" His voice was now quiet
and his manner we'll under control. ~
alone-apart from you, my angel, up
whom no suspicion can rest-I alo
knew this money was in the house.
would have saved ME from exposure al
ruin il l could but possess it. / was
the house last night, unknown to eve
one except the dead woman and yor
self. We had hot words"