Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-06-17
CHAPTER xxx

CHAPTER xxx. a.,
Hester Stapleton is brilliant and radi-
ant, and all that Is charming as she al
ways is out of the limits of the home cir
Gle. Captain Leyerson is very quiet, not
to say dull, and a little absent minded.
even to the extent of neglecting the
charming Hester Edith Cameron does
not seem to notice any one or anything in
particular. and is just her own graceful.
insouciante self: and Nuriel sits in the
dimmest corner beyond the wide fireplace
Suddenly Edith walks across the room
to her lover.
ut is lovely. misty, moonlight night,
and feel unutterably sentimental" she
says. in the gayest voice asd brightest
smile that can contradict her words.
Don't you want to see the ruins of the
old church on the shores of the lake by
the pale moonlightY do"
II shall be most happy to see it in your
company" Captain Leverson says, stitiiy
enough, for the bright particular star"
he adores is apt to shed effulsent beams
on her worshiper. and leave him in hope
less gloom by turns in most madden
ingly capricious manner, and the faithful
adorer is beginning to resent it ever so
little.
Walking silently, Harry Leverson's
heart is too full for speech, and he has
stammered through a few fragmentary
sentences of gratitude for this happy
opportunity" when, as they enter the
tagged. grass-grown pathway by the ruin
ed church, where the thick ivy rustles
drearily aud mysterionsly, though never
breeze is stirring, he starts back sud
denly at the sight of slender, black
robed figure. with strips of snowy white
ut her throat and wrists; and covering
her head, above the ivory pale face. is
mass of soft, dazzling white, cleaning in
the moonlight.
ut is only Muriel; told her to come
with u.s." Edith says, calmly.
s'She looks like the ghost of widow
he says, irritably, as he is both startled
and angry.
An indefnable thrill runs through Edith
ut his words. and to his dismay she with
draws her hand from his arm.
II do rot know that she is much better
of than a widow, poor child" she says;
"and If you can tell her anything that
may comfort her, or give her hope for
brighter days. pray do" And with this
enigmaticnl speech Miss Cameron turns
sharply round, and hurries bsek to the
house. s9
There is fire in the hall stove, and
Edith sits down beside it, wrapped in her
cloak, to wait few minutes. and then
she enters the drawing room demurely
once more.
what have you done with Captain
Leverson and Muriel" Hettie asks, start
Ing. :.
'Done! Nothing. Inasmuch as
haven't drowned them" Edith says, air
ily. .They loitered, and l found it too
cold 10 loiter, and they had an interesting
subject of conversation and l had none,
and I shivered and they delayed. and
6ed home and they remained behind.
There, you have the full, true and particu-
lar account Of the excursion, Hettie.''
But Just az she lays her head back in
her cosy chair. a picture of graceful ease
and comfort. Edith catches .he sound of
light footsteps hurrying past the window,
rushing across the hall: and in Mt the
drawing room door comes Muriel, wild
and hurried-looking, painting more with
fierce emotion through pale-dry lips than
with mere haste, and across the room she
rusbes and seizes Hesters arm with both
her hands like the grip of a wise.
'.Where is my husbands message to me
that you stoley'' she demands, in shrill,
clear voice that rings through the room.
"Where is it? Tell me- You had better
tell me this instant! You stole it! Eric's
message to me with the jewels he gave
me! Where 10 it, say?" and her eyes
are glittering and full of blue, lurid
light. like a tigress at bay, as she shakes
Hettie like reed. and her plump, pretty
form fairly shrinks together before this
tall, slender, vengeful woman, whose grip
IL like steel.
you're mad! you're madr' Hettie says,
with suppressed scream of real fright
"Muriel! Let me go! You are bruising
me black and blue! You horrid creature
you are bruising my arm dreadfully"
II will bruise you!'' Muriel says,
through her clenched teeth. all the fury
of her Celtic blood raging like liquid fire
in her veins. '"rell me what you did
with Eric's message to me You wicked
woman; If you had stolen the jewels /
would have forgiven you easily! Tell me,
Hester, or will kill your
BY this time, Edith and Captain Lev
erson, who have been at first too paralyzed
with alarm and amazement to stir, rush
between them, and by passionate entreaty
induce Muriel to let 50 her frenzied hold
2 8uO give neoter uule 10 explain
Which, however, Hester only does by
the reiteration Of scornful denials of hav-
Ing ever seen or known anything Of the
written message which Muriel asserts was
laid In the jewel case, which assertion
Captain Leverson grayely and positively
ad1rms.
For can swear that from the mo-
mont AsElc showed me the emeralds, and
1tnof paper lying across them. with the
Wotds For my darling Muriel, with Eric's
love- written on it. and then shut the
case with his own hand, can swear"
repeats Captain Leverson, that that case
was never opened. never touched again
even by me, m Eric fastened it up in white
Wrapping paper before he left it and the
other jewel case in my secretarie in my
dressing room until the day he left Lon
don, when he told me to take or send to
the house. intrusted them to a COM
missionnire whom have known for years
m strictly honest man. as | could not