Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-04-01
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
l He had slightly loosened his hold.
Xingscott wrenched his hand free and
thrust It into an inner pocket. The re-
bort Of revolver rang ont to startle the
silence Of the lonely hills. To the man
who 0red that shot It seemed a. Il its echo
lonely lane In which he stood was far re-
could not bot fancy that the sound would
rouse the avengers Of blood and bring
fhsm from scores Of hooks and corners
. punish tho murderer for his crime.
For Harrington had fallen to the
ground and lay there - one dead, while,
1oe . moment or two, Ralph Kingscott-
crouching beside him-watched and wait
q tor any sign Of life. But none came
He turned away and strobe hastily up
the lane. He did not want to be seen in
The high-road now. He would strike
across the fields, and take . devious route
toward BlairSowrie, thence to the nearest
seaport town. He meant to make the
best Of his way to Spain.
When Harrington awoke to conscious
ness, he VS. dimly surprised to ind ia
miliar faces were about him. He had
.been carried to Torresmuir, for the man
who had discovered him knew that he
had married Mr.. Moncriefrs daughter,
and had taken it for granted that he
would be nursed at his father-in-law's
house
He lay for the most part in a dreamy
state, not suffering much pain, but grow
ing weaker every hour. 1t seemed to
him that he WAS wrapped in q sort Of
mist. from which faces occasionally
emerged with puzxling distinctness They
were all kind and friendly faces, but he
had not energy to respond much to the
kindness. Now it was Stella's soft eyes
that rested on him pityingly; he reused
himself to ask her to forgive him for all
that he had done. Then Alan Moncrieff
bent over him and asked him some uues-
tons, and to these he did his best to
reply. But i was bard to fix his atten-
ton, to call his mind back from the float-
Ing mists in which it was enveloped.
"Had Ralph Kingscott anything to do
with this?" Alan asked. There was q
pause, for the feeble answer came: ut
-as al my fault"
IAN your fault?-you had quarreledr'
1T was about-Molly; can't tell you
now. She never robbed you-nor did I.
! believe that It was Kingscott."
Yes; ] believe that It was Kingscott."
Yen know that It was not Molly?'
| Il know an sure Of It."
That's right" said Harrington, in .
tone OF weary relief. and then his eyes
closed and the mist seemed to have en-
quilted him once again.
When he opened his eyes they rested
on Molly's white, worn face. She was
sitting beside him.
"Molly," he said. feebly. rs it really
MollyT'
Eyes, dear Jack"
! there's something I wanted to say.
Will you forgive me, Molly"
Il forgave You ever 80 long ago, Jack.
When baby came forsave you"
you'll let me see 1.-THE baby-before
l gol"
''Shs 10 here" said Molly.
II can't zee It. Everything il 20 dark"
! She guided his hand to the little head
Of the child which was now given into
her arms Then he asked II he might
kiss It.
ut il a girl, isn't itg''' he said. "She'll
b comfort to you, Molly. Somebody
told me what you were going to cali
her"
+, svalencia," said Molly, softly.
sValencia-yes." A clearer look came
into his eyes; he lay silent for some mo-
nents - II thinking deeply. Molly y
he said. ut last, very gently. III I had
lived, meant to be better husband to
you. ! wanted to be better man. But
haven't the chance"
(, - 4. f~1l
whom you want to seer" A sudden light
came into his eyes. He looked ct her
eagerly, but did not speak.
!. II have sent for her" said Molly. II
know You loved her, Jack; but you love
ime little, too, do you not" It was q
:piteous cry. But she was satisfied with
his answer.
II love her in different way, Molly.
never injured her. 1t was all 80 different.
Child, forgive me-and say good-by. l
love you-you, my wife"
i But when they had exchanged the last
Sad kiss, and he was left with his nurses,
II was noticed that he began to watch the
door as he had never watched it for
;Nolly's coming.
She was with him at last. Her face
lcame ont OF the rnists and smiled bravely
iupon him. She was always courageous,
and she had made up her mind that she
would not distress him by lamentations.
He was vaguely glad that she did not
iciy % Molly did.
Aval," h said. with faint smile Of
welcome. '.ths end has come, you See"
ssNot ~ your own seeking, Jack, she
ionswered. She had knelt down beside
- I'D mi Mas piilowing his head upon