The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-04-12
CHAPTER xvI-(Co.t,..e1)

would have gone hard with our poor
heroine but that the man was well as
sured that she had not seen his face,
and WAS. moreover, In too great peril
then himself to stay for that which
otherwise. perhaps. he had been very
willing to accomplish.
Doctor Forester applied restoratives
and Emmeline presently revived.
Recovering consciousness and recog-
aizlng that some one was supporting
her. she said family, yet eagerly, us
1t you. MIR. Darlington"
And with rage Edwin was about to
thrust her from him. but remembered
that she was still feeble. his arms still
necessary for her support.
So Forester replied. TREMENDOUSLY
NO. Miss Redmond. 1t ia not"
Before he had proceeded further:
Edwin" eclaimetl Elnmeline, free
ing herself from his hold. and confront
ng him. continued. excitedly. "Hoay
same you hither? BY what means hav.
you attained to the knowledge Of
and stopped abruptly.
Edwin replied not to these questions
but said:
Are you sufficiently recovered te
return into the house? Mr.. Barring
ton has arrived" he continued with
bitter emphasis.
"Oh, thank heaven" cried Emme
line.
Edwin muttered something and
ground his teeth together; vet rendered
his arm to Emmcline, nevertheless
but she rejected his offered support
md tOttM'ed forward unaided.
AS these two reached the passage oil
the house they We're met by Darlington
and Jarvis, who had entered by the
front door, the latter carrying In his
hand one of the lanterns Of his coach
\ few almost whispered words and
all assembled the stairs. Darlington
who had sllatclled the lantern from
Jarvis. leading the way.
About to enter the room all suddenly
stopped, and for n moment breathed
not, for all had distinctly heard u
heavy groan.
Noel threw around the room the light
Of his lantern. and Nicksey was seen
lying OH the floor almost beneath the
table and weltering in his blood.
"A murder" exclaimed Edwin.
Nickscy nodded and pointed with his
finger toward the way by which the
assassin had escaped.
While the other two mon raised Nick
scy and laid him OH his miserable bed
Jarvis lighted the candle on the chin
neypicce and with it made his way to
the back room: the window was open.
and. looking forth. Jarvis perceived
how easy flight had been to the muir
derer.
"Oh. help me! help mel" groaned
Niclisey. DO not let me die; I must
live TO be avenged!'
know You your assassin:" ques-
toned Noel.
"rhe master of One Tree Square"
moaned Nicksey. .......
''He-hc has been here!" cried En-
incline. with difficulty holding herself
erect aud pale almost as was the man
then dying near her.
But have you learned the name Of
that MANI" demanded Noel
Nicksey feebly shook his head.
And whcrefor this new crime?"
1.-The better to conceal the former
one; III order to secure the silence Of
his accomplish"
"You-his accomplice!" exclaimed
Noel.
Yes; am Nicholas Sherman
Emmeline had been standing beside
The dying ruffian's bed: the horror sh,
felt conquered by the cagcrness to OBJ
tain the proofs which she had hop.
would clear her fathers name; bu
now she shrank far from him, shud
dered and was appalled,.
But her terrified looks We're still
fixed on the face of Nicholas Shear
man-of him who had been an accom-
plice in the crime for which her fathe
had so unjustly persisted ON the scat
fold.
ooh! is this man indeed about I,
die:" cried Darlington, appealing t.
Forester.
NO, nor gasped Nicksey, groanin,
and writhing. "He struck hard an,
deep, but IL know the wound Is not ,
fatal one"
Doctor Forester probed the wound
A stiffness as Of the grave was in tina
room while all were awaiting his de
cisiOn. Nicksey glared wildly into I'D
wins face. The stricken mans doom
WAS about to be pronounced.
A few moments of terriDle suspense
and then, again concealing Nicksey'
wound from view Forester, address
ing the miserable. unprelared wretch
said solemnly: Pray that heaven ma,
have mercy on your SOUL
What! must l die? and Nickse,
trcmbled and clasped his hands, NO
even day?'
Not even an hour" was the reply.
But that hour must havew Nick
soy said. with great energy. and hal
raising himself on the bed. II vii
have it that 1 may give to justice TIL
man who killed me-
Conqucring her rcpugnance, Emme
line again approached and said t
Nicksey:
Say, where are those letters wh.cl
/ have been unable to discover; the,
will aid us to avcnge you."
"They are not here now-he ha
stolen them. from NO."
And the groan which Nicksey utter
ell as he said this was echoed by En-
incline. who fe.t that now the las
hope was wrested from her.
Darlington, bending over the doome,
man. said:
Before you so hence to render al
account to heaven Of all your crime
remember that which happened twent,
/ years ago. We are here to receiv,
your Testimony and to report it to jus
tice."
But who then are you?" Nickse!
murlnured.
Speak. Nicholas Sherman, and for
get nothing. for now with you ia GU
only hope to avcnge the memory O
an innocent man, who was condemnc,
and persisted for your crime"
An innocent man condemned for hi
crime!
THAT could not be true" Nickse!
said. '"He knew nothing of that-noth
Ing"
And Nicksey was indeed unawar,
that lie had to reproach himself witt
the death of more than one victim.
AS he lay poisoned and groanInl
with his agony in the copse to which
he had reeled. he had been heard b!
some men who were passing on thu
road; they bore him to the neares
Doctors, who, having done the best b,
could for him, sent him on to q hos
pital some few miles on the way to
ward London.
E..oo ,>l,., H., 4.