Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-02-25

VI BERTHE, OF course. Isn't his revolt
yer anywhere about? He shot me. tell
you, whether by accident of not, can't
say. / think knocked him down in re-
turn. I'm afraid that Molly-Molly has
eloped with Harrington. They were steal
Ing out by the door in the tower when I
came upon them. Molly had a bag: she
was In her cloak and hat. BERTHE was
with them-perhaps he meant to go too;
l cant say. I rushed forward to stop
Molly-and you see the result"
Stella sprung up with . cry. ''Oh, it
can't be! 1t can't be-" she exclaimed, has
tening to her husbands side. The gray
change In his face alarmed her. ALAN, it
can't be true"
She put her hand on his arm, but he
repulsed her, speaking harshly in his
grief. WAS this your secret? he said.
Were you helping my daughter to bring
disgrace upon my name?"
Allan. don't say such . cruel thing. I
knew that Mr.. Harrington had met her
l WAS trying to put an end to It'll had
no idea that Molly ever thought Of leav-
ing M in this way! Oh, cannot we stop
herr Cannot we bring her back?'
Too late" said Alan, grimly. IF I
could, would mot now. Molly 10 no long
er . child Of mine. have done with her
forever. And II Berthe has helped her
to disgrace herself in this way--I
will
/. mo, Alan. don't say anything Just
now" Stella pleaded, as she FASTENED
to Berries side, for the lads eyes un-
closed with bewildered air.
What is it? What does it mean p
murmured BERTHE.
Don't talk yet" said Stella, gently.
DO you feel any pain? We must have
you taken to your room when you are
able to move, and the doctor will be here
directly"
"Im not hurt" said BERTHE, in a strong
er voice. "Only a little dazed, think.
What was my father saying about me !?
l did not understand"
"You had better hold your tongue"
said Kingscott, from the couch on which
he was lying, in tones rendered harsh,
presumably by pain. you can do no
good by talking"
Stella was sorry to see that the lad
covered when these words were spoken
as though they contained a threat. She
redoubled her attentions to him, and was
rewarded presently by finding that, al
to move without difficulty; then, think
ing that she could be of no use at pres
ent to Kingscott, she went away from
the tower to make inquiries about Molly,
and to give any orders that might be re-
Quired.
After a considerable search, Stella
found letter addressed to herself in
Molly's room. 1t was short, but clear
enough.
AS you are so determined to prevent
my marriage with Jack" wrote Molly.
I'VE have thought it better to take mat
tiers into our own hands. Jack is wait
ing for me with carriage in the road.
We shall not go to Dunkeld or to Perth.
so you need not look for us there. We
shall be married tomorrow morning, and
then will write again. / have written
to my father, and hope that he will not
be angry with VI. Indeed, I would not
have taken this way il you had not driven
me into it by trying to come between me
and Jack. am sorry for my fathers
sake. but not for anything else. because
love Jack better than anybody in the
world"
She had signed her full name at the
end-"Mary Helen Moncrieff."
Stella was cut to the heart by one SEN
tcnce: II would not have taken this way
if you had not driven me into it by trying
to come between me and Jack"
Must she show her husband this letter,
in which that accusing sentence seemed
to stand out with such terrible distinct
ness? She WINGED at ito latter words
"trying to come between me and Jack"
What would Alan think of that? She
dared not consider; she thrust the letter
into her pocket. resolving to show. it to
him at once, without regard to conse-
quences. But this she found impossible.
He had locked himself into his study, and
answered when she knocked with a re-
quest that he might be left alone. His
tones were muffied and unnatural.
Stella thought, as she fingered wistful-
~ outside his door, she was almost GER
tain that she heard the sound Of those
heart-rending sobs which are the last ex-
preston of strong mans agony. Then
she was summoned away by the an
nounce,aent Of the doctors arrival. and
found herself abliged to explain the state
of affairs to him, and to conduct him to
his patients.
She did not gain access to her hus-
band until the afternoon.
II wanted to tell you," Stella began,
but her husband hastily interrupted her.
'Not just now. Tell me nothing at
present. ] have not heard Ralph's story
yet, or Bertie's."
but mire ought to come first" said
Stella, quietly.
She began her story at once-the story
of Lady Valencia warning, Of her ex-
spedition to Tomgarrow. and her Inter.
Nov with Harrington and Molly. Hie