Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-01-02
CHATTER v.

I@tAAOIs NhaA Ht lA1Sbl SClNS Al Va
rant
CHAPTER v.
Through all this long, dreadful in
v~estigation. Eudora had remained in
the death chamber of Lady Leaton,
bowed down with grief. but uncon-
scious of the heavy clouds that were
gathering darkly over her young head.
She had g the body of her aunt
carried away from the chamber to-
wards the crimson drawing-roOm,
where the coroner's inquest was held,
and where the post-mortem examina-
ton was made.
She had been called in her turn 10
give her separate testimony before the
. jury. and she had described the deaths
of Agatha and that of Lady LeatOn
! simply as she had witnessed them.
She had not omitted to mention a cir
cumstance that she had regarded as Il
OVERWHELMINGLY. the passage and dis
appearance Of a dark-rOhed oma in
Agatha's chamber. At the close of her
testimony she had been conducted
back 20 the chamber from which she
had been taken, and there she a
tarried through the remainder of the
investigation.
Half stunned with grief, she felt no
disposition and made no attempt to
leave the She saw the police
men guarding the doors, but did not
even suspect thai she was their pris-
oner. She had noticed in the morning
the strange regards Of those around
her. but. absorbed in sorrow for the
loss of her relatives, the circumstance
had passed from her mind.
In the course of the day food and
drink had been sent to her by the
thoughtful attention OF Malcolm Mon
trose. but she had partaken Of nothing
but a cup OF tea.
And now. at the close of this long
and terrible day, she remained as has
been said, bowed down with grief, but
totally unsuspicious of the dark storm
that was gathering around her. h
sat in a low chair beside the now
empty bed, with her head down upon
the coverIet, so dead TO all external
impressions that the door opened and
the room half-filled with people before
she moved. There was the Princess
Pezzilini, Malcolm Montrose. DR.. Wat
kins, the officer who brought the a
rant, and two policemen that kept the
| doors. and q erewa OF male and female
servants drawn thither by curiosity.
And still Eudora did o look up.
The Princess Pezzilini glided softly
to her side and stood bending over
her with looks of compassion; then
raising her blue eyes, swimming in
tears. to the faces of the doctor and
Mr.. Montrose, h said:
Forgive me; l know that she is
most guilty and that /, of all persons,
should most condemn her, for she has
destroyed my benefactress: but abe IS
so young. l cannot help plying her.
for we know that the more guilty the
wretched girl may be the more need
full Of compassion h as"
The voice of the princess sounding
so near her ear caused Eudora TO look
up; and at the same moment the officer
who held the warrant advanced. and,
laying his hand upon her shoulder,
said:
Miss Eudora Leaton, you are my
prisoner"
She did not understand. She arose
anickIy TO her feet and looked inquir-
ingly into the face of the constable,
and from his face into those of the
persons that crowded the room and
gathered around her. As her star-like
1 tNt liEt NlAohhu liz ~ Ac x. -
OF those she looked upon sank I o the
ground, while dark frowns lowered
upon every brow.
As she gazed her p%erplexity gave
place 10 a vague alarm.
What is the matfarf VIVA. il the
meaning of this:' she inquired in
faltering accents.
An ominous silence followed her
It'll -
were once more fixed sternly upon her.
why do you look upon me so?
What is 1t? VIII no one sDeakg' she
demanded, while a vague, overpower-
ing terror took possession of her heart.
Tell her. officer, and put an end to
this sternly commanded the doctor.
Miss Eudora Leaton. you are my
prisoner" repeated the constable,
again laying his hand upon her.
"Iour prisoner d exclaimed.
shrinking in dismay and adherence
from the degrading touch. "Your
prisoner; Wnat do you me2nT'
"Tell her. otficer, and end this" re-
peated the doctor. while Esad0Ta iooK-
0d wildly from one 10 the ether and
sank back in her chair.
Miss Leaton.' said the constable.
blandly, "the GROWERS quest has been
and found a verdict against ven
charging you with poisoning or your
Aunt Matilda, Ladr Leaton. anu your
cousin, the Hon. A=atha Leaton, and
this paper in my hand is the GROWERS
warrant for ynnr ar-est"
Before he had finished Eudora had
sprung 10 her feet. and now she stood
with her dark. starry eyes dllated and
blazing with a horror that approached
insanity.
At length she found her voice. Gasp
Ing her hands and raising her eyes. IN
a passion of decentralization, she ex-
claimed:
Great Lord of heaven, Is there any
one IN earth capable III suoh hciaous