Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-04-21
claimed. hercely. cor she viii fix the

| claimed. 1ercely. o she VIII HA INC
halter about our neeks."
But Elsie's voice had died away. Her
father caught her in his arms rs she
fell forward. He hastily drew the
handkerchief from her mouth. for her
face darkene.l and a spasm passed
across it that distorted the girls fea-
lures into something infinitely unfalnii-
lar.
.TShe is not faintlnG; ii Is a ht9 slld
Fergus. i. n terrOr-stricken voice. rs
he reered into the blue distended eyes,
that seemed fixed and vacant. Good
Heavens. what shall we do
Peace. you fool whispered Nor
liant. 1T il fortunate for us that the
child Is as she is; she will recover by
andby. If / am not mistaken, this - q
similar attack 10 the one she bad wheh
she was a child. Ii looks like IN cpl,
| leptie seizure. When she RECEIVERS she
will know nothing of what has passed.
In the meantime. we must put her
away somewhere where Solome can az
reno her until she is better. III Philip
pa was to see her in her present con-
dition. she might have her suspicious
aroused by the girls rawlings. IAN !
yon suggest something, man, or must
/ be responsible for all, while you play
the cPayenT'
I'VE might put her. for the night. IN
to the sacristy of the chapel, Ialtefeu
Fergus. doubtfully.
The chapel was an iyy-clad structure
partially in ruins, on the estlte. -
was about a hundred yards from tAe
house, and surrounded by yews ana eY-
ergreen oaks. A d~esolate spot VI
and one but seldom visited by the faIil-
ily. The sacristry of which Fergus
spoke was in tolerably good presefVa-
ton. and the keys of the stout. IRON
clamped doors hung. rusty and dlsusett'
in the kitchen Of the Monor.
~ gloomy hospital enough, sald
| Mordant, with a mirthless laugh: Dut
il must suffice for the nonce. We aus
arouse the worthy Salome, and put her
i'm possession of the unforeseen circunl-
stances. She will hardly thank US for
extending her duties as jaller 10 the
sacristy: but she is u~nriyalled at keep
ing a secret. especially when e Is III
D position 10 make il worth her whlie.
Yes: fora night or two. IT Elsie Is Wen
wrapped up. she will take no harm.
after which we must arrange TO Doard
her out. far away in some remote
country village"
And how are we TO dispose OF
that" demanded Fergus. pointing TO
the dead body of Desrolles. Murder
Is not easily hidden. Heaven. how
my brain whirls. | cannot think.
Il am thankful TO say | am still in
possession OF my wits. and can act Tor
us both. or we should be in a sorry
plight. with all this impedimenta 10
dispose Of" said M0rdant. with fierce
contempt. First. we will take the girl.
arrange for her comfort as far as Is
consistent with the nature of her sur
roundings. secure the door of tile sac
risty. and descend into the crypt OF int
chapel. Behind a heap OF ruined de-
bris there is the entrance TO a vault. or
which no one but u two selves
knows of the existence. Therein, with
betting respect, we can lay the re-
mains of u late lamented friend and
somewhat e~xtortionate annuitant. Re
quiescat in pace"
The night was wild and gusty. and
the old Manor seemed filled with rear
some and strange sounds.
Pansy. awaking suddenly. she scarce
knew why. lay for a long time sleep
less. listening to the bowling OF the
wind. and with a nameless fear OPP
pressing her; she wished she had her
cousin Elsie TO bear her company; but
at length. youth and q clear conscience
lulled her 10 rest, and she slept sound.
~.