Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-04-18
CHAPTER XVI-(Continueds.

easily and quickly found his way
again to the back room, saying to him
self, with a hooking smile:
You will arrive too late, Master
Noel Darlington"
And was dropping from the window
there at the very moment that Noel
and Doctor Forester had driven open
the door of the front room.
1t was, then, not Nicksey himself,
but NickSey'S assassin before whom
Emmeline had fallen senseleSs: and 1t
would have gone hard with IL poor
heroine but that the man was well as
SUred that she had not seen his face,
and was, mOreOveT in too great peril
then himself TO stay for that which
otherwise, perhaps, he had been very
willing to accomplish.
Doctor Forester applied restoratves
and EmmcliDe presently revived.
Recovering consciousness n recog-
l!zing that some n was supporting
her. she said family, yet eagerly, Us
it you. Mr.. harrington? :"
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,
mo. Miss Redmond, it is not"
Before he had proceeded further:
"Edwin!' eclaimed Emmeline, free
ing herself from his hold, and confront
ing him, continued, excitedy, How
came you hither? BY what means have
you attained to the knowledge Of"
and stopped abruptly.
Edwin replied not to these questions,
but said:
Are you sufficiently recovered to
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; yet rendered
his arm to Emmeline, nevertheless;
but she rejected his offered support
and tottcred forward unaided.
AS these two reached the passage OF
the house they were met by harrington
and Jarvis, who had entered by the
front door, the latter carrying In his
hand one Of the lanterns of his coach.
A few almost whispered words and
ali assembled the stairs, Darlington,
VINO had Snatched the lantern from
Jarvis, leading the way.
About to enter the all suddenly
stopped, and for a moment breathed
not. for ali had distinctly heard a
heavy groan.
Noel threw around the room the light
of his lantern, and Nicksey was seen
lying on the floor almost beneath the
table and weltering in his blood.
"A murder!" exclaimed Edwin.
NickSey nodded and pointed with his
finger toward the way by which the
assassin had escaped.
While the other two men raised Nick
scy and laid him on his miserable beS
Jarvis lighted the candle on the chin
neypiece and with it made his way 10
the back room; the window was open,
and, looking forth, Jarvis perceived
how easy fight had been to the muir
derer.
"Oh, help me! help mer' groaned
Nicksey. DO not let me die; l must
live TO be avenged"
Know you your assassin" Ques-
toned Noel.
The master Of One Tree Square,"
moaned Nicksey.
"He-he has been herer' cried En-
incline, with difficulty holding herself
erect, and 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 wherefor this new crimeT"
THE better to conceal the former
one; in order to ecu the silence Of
his accomplish"
Youths sccomplice!" exclaimed
Noel.
Yes; I am Nicholas Shearmanr'
Emmeline had been standing beside
the dying ruffiam's bed; the horror she
felt conquered by the eagerness to OBJ
tain the proofs which she had hope
would cleal her fathers name; but
now she shrank far from him, shud-
dered and was appalled,.
But her terrified looks were still
fixed on the face of Nicholas Shear
man-of him who had been an accom-
plice in the crime for which her father
had so ~unjustly persisted on the scat
fold.
"Oh! Is this man indeed about to
die?' cried harrington, appealing to
Forester.
mo, nor gasped Nicksey, grooming
and writing. HE struck hard and
deep, but II know the wound is not a
fatal one"
Doctor Forester probed the wound.
A stiffness az OF the grave was in that
room while ali were awaiting his de-
cision. Nicksey glared wildly into Ed
wins face. The stricken mans doom
was about to be pronounced.
A few moments Of terriDIe suspense.
and then, again ~ooncaallng Nicksey's
wound from view Forester, address
ne the miserable. unpreIared wretch.
said solemnly: Pray that heaven may
nave mercy on your soul"
what! must / dief" and Nicksey
trembled and clasped his hands. Not
even a day."
Not even an hour" was the reply.
But that hour 1 must have!' Nick
sey said, with great energy, and half
raising himself on the bed. II will
have 1t that l may give to justice the
man who killed me-"
Conquering her repugnance, Emme-
line again approached and said to
Nicksey:
Say, where are those letters which
I have been unable to discover; they
will aid US TO avenge YOU"