The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-01-25
CHATTER Lv11.-A REFUGE.

1t was all over. Iris had sent in her
money. She was in q 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 OH the charge of conspiracy, and
fraud; afraid that some kind OF hue and
Cry might 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.
of Fanny. The girl knew that She was
safe in letting me know your secret. Why
are you in coucealment?"
You cannot know all, oryou would not
ask me that"
81 do know all; and again ask, why are
you In concealmentHn
Because Oh. Hugh! spare me-
II know all. which is the reason why ]
cannot choose but come to see you. Come
out of this poor place; your own
name. There is no reason why YOU should
not. 1ou were not present at Passy when
this conspiracy was matched: you got there
after che funeral. You, naturally, went
to see the family solicitors. Iris, what
has the conspiracy to do with you2' 1t
will be observed that Hugh had o read
the let er written to the directors Of the
company.
"Do You know about the moneysn
"Certninly. You sent back all that you
could've thousand pounds. That show
ed your W Innocence"
"Hugh, you know that l am guilty,n
"Tne world will think that you are limo
cent. At any rate. you cnn come out and
go about without fear. Tell me, what are
your plans?"
II have no plans. Ionly want to hide
my head, somewhere"
Yes. We will talk about that pres
emily. Meantime, l have some news for
YOU"
News? What news?"
Really good news. Ihave to tell YOU q
thing which will surprise YOU"
"Good newsg What good news Is there
for me2"
Your husband has sent back the whole
OF the money"
Sent it backi To the Insurance OF.
1csi"
"All has been sent back. He wrote two
letters-one to the solicitors and the other
to the insurance Company. 1t is not like.
ly now that anything can be said, because
the Directors have accepted the money,
Moreover, 1t appears that they mighthave
proceeded against the lawyers for the re
covery of the money, but that they have
nothing O do either with YOU or with Lord
Harry Norland. That is n difficult point,
however. Somebody, it seems, has com.
pounded. orr is going to compound. q fell
ony. do not understand exactly what
this means. or what dreadful consequences
might follow: but ] am assured by the
LAWYERS that we need apprehend nothing
more. All is over
Iris heaved a profound sigh.
'.Theu he is safesf' she said.
You think Of him first" said Hugh,
jealousy. Yes: heis safe: and, ] do hope,
gone away, out of the country, never to
come back any more. The moro import
ant thing is that you should be 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. 1t is to be hoped that
be will never, wherever he goes, feel him
self in safety"
II am SAFE said Iris. mot only from
my husband, but from what else besidei
You know what | mean. You mean that
II, as well MS my husband, am safe from
that. Oh! the fear of it has never left me
-never for one moment. You tell me
that ! am safe from public disgrace, and
l reioice--when l ought to sink into the
earth with shame!n She covered her face
with her hands.
Girls, we know what you have done. We
also know WHY yon did it. What need we
say more? The thingis finished and done
with. Let us never again allude tolt. me
qnestion now is. whit will you do nextf
Where will You liver
y do not know. Ihave got Fanny Mere
with me. Mrs. Vimpany is also anxious
to. 1--we with me. nm rich, indeed, since
/ have two faithful dependents and one
triend.''
In such wealth, Iris, You will always be
rich, Now listen seriously. l have O villa
In the country. It is far away from Lon
don, In the Scottish Lowlands-quite out
OF the way-remote even from tourists and
travellers. It's n very lonely place, but q
pretty house, with great garden behind