The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-03-12
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consequence VI an IllIuIt lIdl - - w
made again as IL Trooper l.ynn's death.
all leave in the regiment is stopped. Now
this is So grave an dispersion upon myself
and brother officers that you will under
stand il.,t | came To YOU ut once To put
the matter on 4 proper footing"
"EXcusc me. sir" broke in the Deputy
Commissioner angrily. "if | decline IL re-
ceivc any communication from YOU. save
in an official form"
That You have the power to do so |
freely admit. but surely in this case. con-
siderinG the friendship that has always
existed between Yourself and U.s.
pardon me again" returned Mr.. Knoll
lYS. with Il pompouS air of regret. not far
removed from real dignity. IF. since Ger
tain facts have come 10 ny knowledge.
| disas>ociatc You in my mind entirely
from 4 regiment that in every other case
| have had reason To respect as well us
like"
What those facts are l have learned
from Miss Knox" was the quiet reply.
The Deputy Commissioner looked rs
startled as he felt. \ tetc-a-tete with IL
murderer in any cas-" was unpleasant.
bur when. 10 add 10 this, the murderer
was aware of his companions suspicious
PERHAPS. too. that he was the only per.
son that held thcm-the position grew
positively dangerous.
1T is to question YOU as to those facts
| am here" continued the Colonel.
1T is quite illegal-against all Ell
qucttc." stammcred the Commissioner, in
return.
Granted. Still | don't think you will
refuse to let me know what case you have
against me. and allow me to prove myself
innocent if | can"-with Il half smile.
But YOU cannot" was the violent re-
tort. the speaker losing his magistcrial
demcanor in the transportation he felt at
the audacious c0mposurc of the other.
Who else had any motive for commit
ting such Il crime: You were in love
with Miss Knox: she was first engaged TO
the deceased. and aftorward. when that
engagement was broken. she refused -
marry YOU while he lived. She COM
planned 10 you of the persecution to which
she WAS subjected by him. and almost i'm
mediately the persecution ceased; though
not-hcayen forhid.-as she intended. All
this | have directly. or indirectly. learned.
and more still remains 10 be proved"
The IacrrSt circumstantial evidence"
remarked the Colonel. gently impatient.
Not Il ease to bring into court. certainly:
and il falls to pieces III once before the
defense that ! have brought. VIII Won
obli@c me. Mr.. Knoliy>. by reading this: :"
He handed over the paper containing
the statement that Valentine had drawn
out and Major Larron subsequently
signed.
\ little noryously the Deputy Commits
sioner fixed his glasses To pcruse it. An
uneasy doubt crept into his mind whcth-
or he had not been premature in his con-
illusions. or at least expressed thom too
frankly. Then. when he had read it
through. his glasses fell, and he stared in
SpccchlosS. ~open-mouthed dismay before
him.
Il can hardly credit that YOU ever really
believed NE capable of such an act"
The Deputy Commissioner looked the
picture of contrition ana confusion.
Forgive ne. Colonel Prinsep. | can
not express my regret" he faltered out.
DO not attempt it. please. Let it he
forgotten. | shall never revive the mar
ter. and You can atone for your mistake
by mait aiming a similar silence"
Then Colonel Prinsop repaired 10 the
sNA'tA ~ 'i'' 1 = L ~
see Mr.. Knox himself, and was closetc5
with him for more than an hour. When
he came out, Jane was waiting in the
veranda.
1T is all right. | can see it in your
eyes" she cried, coming eagerly toward
him.
What a wise little girl it is. Yes. l
think the danger is over now. But there
is one thing You may not like. Your
father is sending in his papers. and will
20 home AT once. II was impossible that
he could remain in the regiment. You
see that. don't YOU
Jane nodded Complementary. but her
couutenance fell. Even when they hal
been going for a year She felt a dread
foreboding that they might never meet
.cain; but now that this eternal separa-
ton was certain-did he feel not Il tinge
of regret:
She stole a hurried upward glance. He
was looking grave. yet not absolutely
sad; as their eyes met he even gave n
slow smile. If he felt no sorrow in saying
farewell, she must not betray her own.
IT is best 50, ! SUPPOSE" she observed.
1T was the only thing that could be
DONE" he insisted, gently. Then. after a
slight pause, he added: y am spending
Christmas at the Molnets' with Mrs.
Dcne. Have you any message / can
take"
None, I thank YOU"
The Colonel was looking down at her
steadily; and as he gazed, an expression
of restrained y%earning came into his eyes.
Yet he made no sign. Sweet as il would
have been 70 whisper words in her ear
that would have cleared away the sad
ness from the pretty. pathetic face, he
dared not risk anything by a premature
reimbursement Bette far that she should
suffer something now for awhile than con
denim them both To lifelong misery.
"Good-hy, Jenny" he said, gently.
A bright flush suffused her face. She
raired her eyes shyly. and half laughed,