Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-07-14

the way to Madman's Drift. Pool
Captain Rivers must have been
stabbed, for there is blood about,
but though / searched everywhere l
found no weapon-only basket con-
tanning broken eggs, which must have
been dropped by some market man or
woman in their fright, and-and
this. "
Lady Darrell looked up. Her eyes,
distraught with anguish fell on a
| cigar-case with elaborate initials and
crest engraved on It.
That" she murmured hoarsely.
Il brought it straight to you, my
| lady" the park-keeper said gently,
| laying it down. Il know 1t as be-
! longing TOTO his lordship; it must
have fallen from Captain Rivers
pocket as he sank to the ground"
| There was moments silence
| What have you--you done?"
whispered Lady Darrell, still standing
motionless.
Il have carried the body to my hut
you know live quite alone, my
lady-and came to you to know what
had better do next?'
Saddle a horse and ride to Nestley.
You must fetch the police. We must
find the murderer.
The words dropped like agony from
the white lips.
Shall | summon Lord Roy?" said
Miles eagerly, seeing the agitation on
the worn face. Il would not go to
him first, for know how much he
loved Captain Rivers, and knew the
blow would fall so heavily. Forgive
me, my lady; you are Always so
brave! | forgot you were a woman.
| ought to have gone to his lordship."
The blow has fallen heavily In
deed" whispered the white lips.
Then rousing herself with an effort,
Lady Darrell passed her handkerchief
over her face.
You were right, Miles, to come to
me- and ] thank you with all my
heart. II will tell Lord Roy"
She put out one of her slender
hands, and the keeper took 1t within
llo OWN DIoWA, HtIu OhDS Will EoNClr
ence and awe.
I'VE must act now, not think"
went on Lady Darrell hurriedly.
"ics, the police must come, nothing
can be done till then. Go, Miles, at
once, Send Chelmick to me. Unjust
break the news to the household.
What have you done with the basket
you found"
1T is at my cottage my lady"
Good, leave it there. Wait an in
slant; | will write note"
She moved to the bell and rang 1t.
then stood with her hands locked
together as silent us a marble statue
til the butler came.
Miles gazed at her in admiration.
lie knew what an agony OF shame
and pain was in that breaking heart,
yet no cry came from the lips, no
womanly weakness was betrayed in
face or limb.
AS the butler entered, Lady Darrell
in brief words told Of the discovery OF
Captain Rivers dead body, and the
supposed murder; then as the old
servant withdrew in fear and horror
she wrote a few lines on a card, and
handed it to Miles,
Miles bowed and withdrew; as he
went the door OF the inner room
opened, and Valerie Ross came out
Her hair was pushed from her brows,
her face CHASTITY white fixed look Of
pnpniGh in uInpin,c
Lady Darrell advanced to meet her
All, my poor child" she murmured,
YOU have heard-you nave heard
allc"
"Ali!" repeated Valerie blankly.
"ls 1t true? Is he dead-murdered?"
"He is dead" answered the older
woman almost mechanically. Yes"
And you can stand there so calm!
Oh Eustace Enstace; gone, my"
ITO the police-station, Nestley; go
at once"
Valerie threw her hands up to her
face, swayed to and FRO for an instant.
then she lay stretched PROSTATE on
the floor.
With the same set face, Lady Oar
rell bent over the inanimatc girl. and
pressed her cold lips to the senseless
ones Then ringing the bell again,
she directed the servants to carry the
sttll form to her room
Leave me alone" she said as they
went through the door-"quite alone"
She stood silent rs the small cor
tege disappeared; then her calmness
wont. Lady Darrell flung herself
down on her knees and gave way to
her feelings.
They went away together" she
whispered crimson wave Of color |
dyetnS her gentle face-"together In |
anger, Now Eustace lies dead and
Roy, my angel my prince, my son
Roy No. Oh, God, keep the thought
from my mind or | shall go mad Let !
me think clearly. They were angry.
they may have parted friends Eu- |
STAGE may have met his death alone
on God pray that II may be so! |