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

voice faltercd a little as she told of the
weeks respite that she had given the
lovers--never dreaming that they waa,ld
take advantage of her trust in them to
cut the Gordian knot in this discreditablc
way. There was moments pause whcl
she had finished.
''This is all you knowr raid Alan, in
the dry, hard voice which sounded so lit
tie like his own.
"Yes."
"And it did not strike you that you
first duty in the matter was to me ?--tha
I ought to have been told at once?"
II am very sorry" murmured Stella.
You have no more to say at presen
suppose? There are other things to b
touched on later-just now Molly's affair
must come first"
Stella went with him to Kingscott's
rooms in the tower. Ralph was in bed.
evidently suffering much pain, but quite
disposed to give his version of the story
at any length that might be required.
BERTHE was also present. He looked white
and distressed, and did not venture to sit
down until his father CURLY told him to
take chair. And then Ralph was re-
Quested to state what he knew
He gave his account much as he had
given it before, but not without Interrupt
ton. At one or two points BERTHE burst
forth Indignantly: 81 knew nothing;
was not in league with Molly. 1t was not
l who fired the revolver" And last of all:
Then what were you doing in my faith
er's study at one o'clock-just before
Molly went away?'
kingscott shook his head pityingly. ut
Is a pity that you should try to afix
blame on me, dear boy" he said. '"The
only excuse l can make for you il that
you are suffering from decisions caused
by an over-excited BRAIN"
pray, what were you doing to be out
OF your room at that hour of the night 2"
said Moncrief to his son.
BERTHE answered by telling his own
story; but it was easy to see that Mon
crieh did not in the least believe il. He
believed in Kingscott apparently, and in
nobody else. Neither would he credit
Berries statement that he knew very
little about Molly's meetings with John
Harrington. Matters became worse when
BERTHE, in passionate, f-vindication,
turned upon his uncle and accused him Of
treachery.
There 10 one thing that have kept
10 tne laSt, SAID Moncrief, when BERTHE
was silent. He spoke deliberately. but
the tightening of the lines about his
mouth told their own history Of pain.
DO any Of you know this ring?'
He held up little gold ring, with a
red stone set in brilliants in the center.
"Molly's!' exclaimed Berthe. Then he
glanced at Kingscott, flushed deeply, and
was dumb.
"Molly's, I believe. l found II IN a
locked drawer in my study" said his
father, gravely. Il suppose it il easy to
see that Molly must have been there. To
you three and to you only will tell what
has occurred. Molly, it seems, would not
leave the house without possessing her.
self of her mothers jewels. They would
have been hers in due course; hardly
blame her for that. But this il not ali.
She has taken papers, representing prop
erty to considerable amount; and-and
money" His voice grew thick. and hi.
head sank as he spoke. "She knew that
she was safe-that she might keen her
Il-gotten gains. But IL would sooner
have lain in my grave than been Obliged
to acknowledge that my daughter-my
only daughter-was thief"
CTo be continued.)