Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-01-25
CHATTER LNIL-A RrFrGN.

IL was all over. Iris had sent in he'll
money. She was in small lodging found
for her by Fanny Mere. who called her
cousin. She stayed indoors all day long.
afraid of stirring abroad: afraid to read
the papers; afraid that her husband was
arrested on the charge OF conspiracy. and
fraud; afraid that some kind OF hue and
cry nigh: be out after her.
Therefore, when she heard a manly step
on the stair, she started and turned pale,
expecting nothing short OF an armed mes
senger of the law. She never was in this
danger for a single minute, but conscience
made a coward OF her.
The step was that OF Hugh Mountjoy.
IL found you out" he said, ''by means
OF Fanny. The girl knew that she was
safe in letting me know your secret. Why
are you in concealmeut"
You cannot know all, or you would not
ask me that"
II do know all; and again ask, why are
you in concealmentf'
Because On. Hugh! spare me-"
Il know all, which is the reason why ]
cannot choose but come 10 see you. Come
out OF this poor place; resume your own
name. There is no reason way YOU should
not. You were not present at Passy when
this conspiracy was hatched: you got there
after the funeral. You, naturally, went
10 see the family solicitors. Iris, what
has the conspiracy To do with your" IL
will be observed that Hugh had not read
the let er written TO the directors Of the
company.
do you know about the money!"
Certainly. You sent back all that you
could-five Thousand pounds. That show
cd your own innocence"
Hugh, you know that / am guilty"
The world will think that you are limo
cent. At any rate. you can come out and
20 about without fear. Tell me, what are
your planst'
II have no plans. I only wan to hide
my head, somewhere"
Yes. We will talk about that pres
entity. Meantime, l have some news for
you.
Really good news. have to tell you q
thing which will surprise vou."
Good news! What good news is there
for mei"
Your husband has sent back the whole
Of the money"
Sent it back' To the Insurance OF.
fce,'
All has been sent back. He wrote two
letters-one 10 the solicitors and the other
ttp the Insurance Company, Ii is not like
y now that anything can be said, because
the Directors have accepted the money.
Moreover, it appears that they might have
proceeded against the lawyers for the re
coyery of the money, but that they have
nothing o do either with YOU or with Lord
Harry Norland. That Is a difficult point,
however. Somebody. 1T seems, has com
pounded. or is going 20 compound. o Tel
ouy. | do not understand exactly what
this means, or what dreadful consequences
might follow; but ] am assured by, the
law ers that we need apprehend nothing
more. All is over"
Iris heaved a profound sigh.
'sThen he is safe.' she said.
"You think of him FIRST" said Hugh.
~jealously. YES: he is safe: and, do hope,
gone AVA, out Of the country, never 10
come back any more. The more import
ant thing Is that o should he safe from
him. As for the doctor-but l cannot
speak of the doctor with common patience.
Let him be left to the end which always
awaits such men. II Is 10 be hoped that
he will never, wherever he goes, feel him.
oelf In safety"
"I am safe said Iris. mot only from
nv husband. but from what else besiiel
You know what mean. You mean that
], ~ well as my husband, am safe from
that. Oh! the fear Of IL has never left me
-never for one moment. You tell me
that ] am safe from public disgrace, and
I reioice-when l ought TO SINK into the
earth with shame!' Sh covered her ace
with her hands.
"Iris, we know what you have done. We
also know why you did IL. What need we
say mores The thing Is finished and don
with. Let MS never again allude 10 it. The
question now Is, what will you do next!
Where will YOU lives
II do not know. / have got Fanny Mere
with me. Mrs. Vimpany Is also anxious
to live with me. | am rich, indeed, since
have two faithful dependents and .
friend"
In such wealth. Iris, YOU win alwaysbe
rich. Now liz. en- seriously. have q villa
n the country. 1t is far away nom Lon
don, In the Scottish Lo~wlands--quite out
81 the way--remote even from tourists ana
t~ravelers. II Il a very lonely place, but 2
ugetty house, with . great garden bsoAnd