Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-08-12

conviction; the forfeit of your miserable
life would but poorly pay for my dis
credit thrown upon the memory, the char.
acter, Of the beloved dead"
ID YOU not see yourself the injustice
of your accusation? Such an act is inn
possible to me! Don't let your indigna-
ton and hatred carry you to such insane
lengths. DON'T You see my hands are
tied? anne take any steps to prove
my innocence"
"That I quite believe, as I believe the
search you have undertaken for the sup
posed murderer will not be successful"
with so bitter II prejudice, 80 extraor-
binary an accusation, it is impossible to
DEAL" said Egerton, resulning his troubled
walk. II deserve almost all you say, but
not this! You always hated me, and I
confess you had reason. II you knew
more of life-of mems lives, you would not
think ME so unparalleled a ruffian! With
this fixed idea you will never be able to
keep silence. You will gradually let out
your suspicious"
MY conviction," interposed Dorothy.
"Your conviction, then. and I shall be
blackened with the blight of indefinable
calumny."
MY motives for keeping silence are too
strOng="
Dorothy was beginning, when Collins
suddenly threw the door e exclaim-
ing joyously:
Here's the Colonel himself coming up
with Miss Oakeley"
For heavens sake, be composed,'
whispered Dorothy in a quick, emphatic
whisper. The next moment Henrietta,
radiant. exultant, entered, followed by a
gentleman, slightly bent, with gray hair
and mustache and heard Of a darker
tinge, all wild and untrimmed, a pair of
dark, dull eyes. very quiet and dreamy,
his clothes thrown on %unbrushed, and q
general air of negligence about his up.
pearnnce. Could this be the we'll set-up
carefully attired, soldierly Callander:
Dorothy. already dazed by the fierce emo.
ton of her scene with Egerton. felt dizzy
and almost unable to speak. She was
overwhelmed Mt the sight of such havoc
us Il few short months had wrought.
"There!!' cried Miss Oakeley. II was
driving down Piccndilly when l saw Her
bert turning out of Dover street, so !
} punced upon him ut once. and here he
, is! think he needs a little home care
Hasn't he grown gray?"
Dorothy, still q~uivering with the crue
shock which had shaken her nerves, flew
to embrace Callander as she used in he
. school days.
dorothy! How do you do, my dear?'
. said Callander kindly, but by no mean.
. moved. ut seems a long time since w,
met. All. Egerton; l did not know 20,
. were in town"-he held out his hand
r How horrible it seemed to Dorothy tina
r Callander should touch him.
" "Sit down by me, Dorothy" he contin
I, ued; II am pleased to see you again, ant
Henrietta-'
"And we have longed for you to re
q turn" said Dorothy, bravely. chokin,
down her tears. You will want to Sc.
r the children. Herbert. They have locke,
t for you: they are such dears!'
e YES" he said. with a heavy sigh; e.
must see them. My little Dolly, my poo
boy"
II will bring Them" cried Dorothy
4 Fastening to the door, but passing Eyer
n ton. who looked stunned, and. it SCENE,
to her. guilty. she looked into his eyes
9 Il look ut once warming and defiant. Sh
ran to her room and seized the momen t
o battle her burning eyes. which were tear
less, hut felt like balls of fire. Then sh
summoned Mrs. McIIugh to bring tn
boy, while she herself led Dolly.
They were at the door. Dorothy pusl
u ed it open. To her infinite relief Eyer
ton was gone.
~ 500. darling: run to father" she sait
loosing the little hand. But Dolly hes
tated. To her. the gray-haired gentl.
man was Il total stranger. She locke
at Callander, and Callandcr at her. The
'. she said. low and soft:
y. dolly; my little Dolly and held o,
his hand.
+. The child went to him. hut slowly. n
40 awcstruck expression in her big, blu
eyes.
Ca1lander lifted her on his knee, the
n slowly. gently. pressed her head to hin
one hand covering her soft check. viii
/. he bent down his own till his grizylc
~, beard mingled with her golden locks. !.
- he sat thus. his dark eyes woke up fro
4: their dull apathy, and looked wildly ava
~ as if at some distant dreadful objec
10 with n strained. asonizcd expression. j
~ tinitely distressing. Dorothy gazed
~, father and child with an aching hear
=. while Henrietta burst ont crying, AMI IL
ny boy--tno young to remember, TO fear.
Nj morrn-called out noisily, "Pa-p
w rapa!!"
Ilcn Callandcr, reused from his visio
nj ciasping his little girl tightly to his breas
no l.issel her passionntely over and ov
again. till the child looked half-frighten'
no to her aunt for protection. Then the bo
IN thinking his sister was having more tn;
mr. i her STARE OF notice. struggled from nur
ur 10 Ii %!illier. who. laying his hand on Il
chilli head. looked intently ut hin. III
kissc.. rs brow.
Ticu setting Dolly down, he stretch
his forth his hands. palms out, in token tn
he wished 10 bc alone.
10 ut is altogether the most hcart-rcndil
he sigl,t!' sobhed Henrietta, MS they left Il
room. How awf,,liy aged he ISL
ny CHAPTER XVIII.
y Egcrton found that he could not lea
70; LondnM as soon as he intended, and e,
re oncl s%alianler's return further delay
hin.
Cal andcr constantly sought him, as &C
ib- %stant.3 as he avoided Standish. The ],
or ter soon perceived this, and relinquish