The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-04-14


John Rudolph" he exclaimed. THE
abductor of my sister"
Imogene turned toward the intruders.
her face absolutely livid, her eyes wild
as those of maniac. Ralph put a
strong arm around her shoulders and
held her quiet. There was something
infinitely terrible in the face of this
man. Helen lifted up the face of Ru-
dolph.
Speak quickly" she said. You will
gain nothing now by concealment."
Am I dying?" he asked. anxiously.
II think so. Speak on. But first LET
me ask, Mr.. Trenholme, is there d
magistrate PRESENT."
Il am one" said Ralph's friend, Mr.
Brunell, who was stopping there fol-
the night.
Very well then. Give this gentleman
the oath. | can testify that he has no
conscientious scruples to prevent him
from swearing"
1t was done, and Rudolph proceeded
to speak:
1T is hardly fair to force things out
of fellow in this way, but suppose
there's no help for it. There's too many
against me! This girl is tho yery devil
herself"
Il have once before informed you,
sir, that I am Miss Fulton, and in no
way relative of the person you men
ton"
20, have it your own way! but I'm
sure l don't understand how you came
to guess at what has puzzled so many
older heads. I've been a hard case l
don't deny it. 1t was all owing to the
way l had to struggle up. Everybody
was willing to give me kick because
I happened to be the child of poverty
and Of disgrace. stole the child of
Mrs. st. Cyril, partly from motives of
| revenge, and partly because I hoped to
not going to give history Of my doings,
so don't get impatient. 1t seems a lit
tie necessary that I should speak Of
that child, seeing as 1t was she that was
murdered. The ship that we came to
| this country in was wrecked, and peo-
! pie hereabouts thought that the little
| girl was the sole survivor. l know bet
ter. because myself escaped. 1t did not
suit my purpose, however, to let the
| fact be known. had my own plans,
which l shall not now divulge. The
| time for me to work is past, and will
not tell you what l meant to do if my
life had been heightened. found that
l fhn oh haI 4 -
present, then, l was satisfied After
awhile l returned to Europe, and saw
] Mrs. st. Cyril. But she had no money
with which to purchase my secret. l
| then sought the father of the child, but
he refused to listen to me a moment
He had no children, he said, bitterly.
I came back to America. Part of the
time l was in New York, but never
lost sight Of Marina-for so they called
the girl l had stolen from her parents.
At last l heard she was going to be mar
ried | thought should like to see how
she looked in her bridal clothes. 1t was
a little weakness OF mine which you
must pardon, seeing that once loved
| her mother.
II came here, and knowing no other
way, climbed the locust tree just out
side this window, and from it's thick
leaved shelter, I commanded a complete
view Of this apartment Just after
the bridesmaids left the bride, the door
of her chamber opened, and Imogene
Ireton entered. I knew this woman by
| sight. She came up noiselessly behind
Marina, and as she turned, l saw some
thing glitter in her hand She stood
still q moment as if to gather strength,
and then she struck down quickly and
silently? | heard low cry, and then
| all was quiet"'
Ralph's grasp had frightened around
his wife. until her face had grown pur-
| pie from the iron pressure. He was
crushing her to DEATH but he would not
! have known it, If she had breathed her
last sigh. ST. Cyril touched his arm.
Mr.. Trenholme, look at your wife.
! You are sussocatirg herr
| He looked down upon her distorted
! features, removed his arm, and took her
hand in his.
"lmogene Ireton came directly to the
window" proceeded Rudolph. land
| looked down. She had the dripping
knife still in her hand. She cast about
her half fearful glance, but discover
ing no one. she stepped out upon the
| grape vine that half covered that side
| OF the house. And just as she did so
Lynde Graham came along on his way
to the main, entrance. He was dressed
for the wedding and had his gloves in
his hand. He looked up at her, and an
| amazed expression crossed his face.