Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-09-03

VIII SnoOt me-ne IS coming! Keep back,
I tell yOu-kcep back!"
went up to her, and seized her by the
shoulders. She was too weak for resist.
ance, and presently stood there passive
and covering.
l took the bottle from her and tossed
it into the bushes.
Now" l sud, follow me to the house.
L am a magistrate, and you must give
an account of yourself.
She looked at me in bewilderment. I
what it was in her eyes that
reminded me of some 1 had once seen
some fugitive resemblance l could NOT
catch or trace.
she stumbled after me with weak, un.
steady steps. When VIC reached the Hall,
L TOOK her round to the servants entrance
ana gave her in charge of n g~ood-natured
scullery maid.
Get her washed and give her some de-
cent clothing 1 said; II will speak to her
after dinner"
The woman went meekly enough away,
n 1 returned to .Ioan's boudoir.
Nettie and Alfy We're there talking
quietly together. i wondered as l looked
ut them whether Joan's hopes would eve,
be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the time would come
When Nettie would reward her young Low.
cr's devotion?
When dinner was ovc that evening ]
made some excuse to get away, lcavina
them together in johns favorite room.
4 sent word that the woman was to be
brought to my study, but a few moments
afterwari the footman returned, sayins
she was so i'll that they had been Obliged
to put her TO bed.
She talks all the time, sir" he went on.
1t is II sort of raving. Mrs. Birket is
With hcr now. She thinks a doctor should
be Sent for"
Went straight to the room. The ole
housekoeper met me mt the door. then
closed 1t after us. l saw she was trem.
bling greatly.
Sir Ralph" she whispered, don't yoc
know who it is!."
1 glanced at the bed. but 1 could recog.
nize nothing familiar in that awful face
those wild eyes, and muttering lips.
No. l said. "Do you:"
Yes she answered. in the same low
key; IL recognized her at once, but ]
have said nothing 10 the other servants
She is Mrs. March. That white hal,
must have been IL Disguise"
started.
MIS-. March!' l cried.
My voice reached the wretched crca.
turc. She half rose in the bed and star.
cd wildly at me.
WHO calls:" she said. SIS it Lady
Ferrcrs:" Then she burst into n peal Of
wild laughter. Lady Ferrers-where i,
Lady Ferrers? She thought to have him
did she? Mono, my lady; he is my
lover, not yours. He shall never he
yours; l will kill him first!"
That is how she goes on all the time.'
said Mrs. Birket. II think you had bet
ter not tell my lady, sir; it might upse.
her.
II did not kill him." muttered the wom
an on the couch. ut was only a threat
Why did he taunt mel who loved him
as that pale-faced girl could never have
done! 1, who was his slave, his toy, hi.
fancy for an idle hour? I told him
warned him-but he would not believe"
bent closer to the restless head.
Ibid you take his life!" said, sloWly
and distinctly.
A gray. sickiy hue crcpt over her face
She stopped as one in the attitude Of
listening.
"Ihcy met" she said. 81 saw then
meet. 1 spoke to him; 1 tainted him
Look-look!.' md she shuddercd. and
pointed with one trembling hand to a cor
ner of the room. '''rhcre he stands! Why
does he point that gun at me? Tell him
to go away! Tell him-tell him-tcD
him."
Her voice rose almost TO Il shrek.
"There is no IL there" l said stcrnly.
''Try to collect your thoughts. Do yor
1.Dov. that ,1nnth -, ,,,,sy
YES" she said, and laughed n harsh,
weak laugh. II know. There are strange
things about. The room is full of them
They have been with me a long, long
time. That is what they said-Death!
l did not mind. Only. why does he stant
there? IL did not kill him. 1 tell you ]
did not kill him!"
Hush" l said soothingly. "If yor
We're there tell me all about it. Did the
gun so off in his hands:"
"He was desperate" she painted. "ant
500 was 1. l babe him forget the pale,
cold girl whose heart had never for one
moment held for him the passion of my
own. l told him l would follow him t.
the worlds end-and he cursed me. Then
l grew mad. II snatched at the gun
l said my wretched life should end. HI
SclZeO IL from lue. we SlrllsSleu-i sec
ond, and he fell face downwards on tn.
ground. Then terror seized ME. Ii
could not stay there. 1 fled like a hunted
thing. No one had seen me come; no one
saw me 60"
So low, so broken. those last words, J
scarce could hear them even in the silcnc.
of that quiet ROOM.
But as they ceased I heard .Joan's voice
so sweet and solemn, murmuring the pray.
or that in childhood and manhood, in age
and trouble. in sickness and death, seems
to spring naturally to all lips. She had eli
tered the room unknown to me.
The woman listened. Her face grew
calm. a shadow swept over her face, her
eyes closed.
"Shc is at rest now." I said. and turned
to my wife. and. with gladness solemn
and unspeakable. folded her to my heart
''The last doubt is cleared away" l muir
INJURED p~assionately; ''oh, thank heavep
for that" (The end.)
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