Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-05-09
CHAPTER x1x-(continued3
The snnrc. of Guilt.
CHAPTER M.

The Shares of Guilt.
Seated i'll one of the supcrbly- fur
nishcd rooms of Niscount Dareleigh's
mansion. eagerly and trembling, was
Mrs. Chcsterton awaiting the coming
ing an indignant exclamation.
completely within her power; but on
which he had promised that he would
make, depended now her own life.
Should She perish. what would be-
come of her poor. innocent daughter?
And Mrs CheStcrton shuddcred as
thus she thought On that one point
her heart was still vulnerable; that she
was a mother was perhaps, the sole
cauSe that some remnant of human
feeling yet chung about her.
When, after a whole age. as 1t had
appeared to her. Niscount Dareleigh
at last presented himself before her,
Mrs. Chcstcrton hurried toward him,
and in her impatient terror showered
upon him question after question.
When She had fairly run herself out
and had paused, partly for want of
breath to continue and partly because
she had asked all and more that all
that it had been necessary to demand
Niscount Dareleigh said, laughing
gaily:
Rest easy. Ilugy, and bless your
guardian angel"
A strange look did Mrs. Chesterton
fix on the viscount as he said that;
and singular expression WAS on her
features as she repcatcd:
Angel? All, indeed. had not
thought that you would ever be that"
even than before.
I'VE never can forcsce that which is
to happen" he said.
And presently continues:
"All is comfortably arranged. Eugy,
that in the future we may have Moth
ing 10 fear from each other"
How is 1hat:" was asked in tone
full of suspicion.
=! have obtained Thcodore's con-
sent. and your daughter will shortly
become his wife"
Indeed. exclaimed Mrs Chester
ton, and still doubtingly.
Yes" replied the viscount, readily;
81 should never be able to consider
myself secure so long as you had rea-
son to be my enemy"
THAT l may perfectly understand
YOU" said Mrs. Chcstcrton, 81 must
believe"
She paused and fixed her eyes with
keen inquiry on those of her accom-
plicc.
"What must you believer" was care
lessly demanded.
THAT Nicholas Shearman is dead?"
whispered Eugenia.
The viscount merely nodded and
smiled.
Then, in that case. those letters"
Again she paused and again the Wis.,
count nodded and smiled.
why will you not speak? Why will
you thus torture mey' the woman
cried angrily and impatiently.
"On that night when. awhile since,
we, at your house. renewed our ac-
q"aintancc. you had. if l remember
rightly. but scant pity for the I'M
fortunate wretch who was then SO
helpless within your clutch"
And the viscount appeared delighted
that 1t was now his turn to torture.
Norton, l entreat that YOU will
have pity on me and say where are
those lctters!"
'"rhey are nowhere" responded the
viscount. and laughed again, "for 1
have destroyed them."
"Ah. YOU obtained possession Of
those lctters? Eugenia cried, her face
lighted up with Joy.
"Of course l obtained possession Of
them. or how could have destroyed
them?" the yiscount said lightly and
5csiingly.
Gone. those letters are gone" Eu-
Gonia cried breathing freely. once
again believing herself entirely safe,
and that no danger could ever in the
future menace her
Yes. Eugy," said the viscount. en-
cur enemies, do what they may"
"Ycs. yes" cried Mrs. Chcstcrton;
ard she. too. was in high glce.
"Thosa letters" pursued the Wis
count. "oan never rise up in Judgment
against US. since even their ashes are
totally annihilated; the fire has con
sumed them both"
"Roth?" exclaimed Mrs. Chesterton,
with Il shrek OF terror; "but there
were three of those letters"
''rhrce Of thcm?" faltered the Wis
count. reeling backward as though a
Knife lad suddenly pierced his heart,
eyes. yes, three of thcm-three of
$hem! Mrs. Chestcrton frantically
cried. and wrung her hands despair
ingly.
And then, stupified with fear. with
out the power to stir limb, these two
guilty wrctches stood. each looking
into the face of the other, and shud.
dering Mt the CHASTITY palor. the horri
bic distortion they there behold.
And they groaned and muttercd al
most unconsciously to themselves and
to each other:
''Three of them! We are lost! we
are lost!'
CHAPTER XXI.