Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-04-14

that Denzil makes the first move in the
next part Of this strange game of fate
which has associated him with the tra-
gedy OF murder and death.
knowing Lance Staplcton's interest in
the matter. he draws him aside, and tells
him Of Alethea's confession.
but how came she therc::' is the nat.
ural question that follows. II thought
she was abroad"
"Not then" answers Dcnzil: "shc was
staying in this ncighborhood."
But why did she not speak at the time
moro especially when there was such
n hue and cry after you|
SHE knew nothing of that; she was too
ill.," replies Dcnzil. "Shc confessed be-
fore DIR. Deanc and myself that she was
SO terrified at what she had seen she
dared not speak Of it. Besides, she did
not wish any one to know where she was"
I'm tell You what I'll do" says Lance.
eagerly. I'LL take this to Mr.. Herrick-.
the lawyer. He has taken 81 great inter.
est in the matter, and. if any one can get
Mt the root of it, he is the man. He al.
ways said there was something suspicious
in the way Budd tried to fastcn it on to
-Yolande."
Half an hour later the two cousins are
sitting i'll the warm tirelit library togeth-
CIR. Pauline resting in Il low velvct-cush.
toned chair. her hand playing lazily with
the teaspoon in her cup, her eyes turned
towards the dark, eager face of her COM
panion as lie stands leaning against the
mantelpiecc.
Presently she withdraws her handl:er-
chief from her pocket, and in dong so lets
fall Il letter that hutters on to the thick,
soft carpet and lies there, a speck of
white on its dark coloring.
II really must go and dress for dinner"
she says. "!And will be wonder.
ing what has become Of me all this long
afternoon"
rs it really dressing time already??"
asEs Dcnzil. in surprise, as he opens the
door for her. II could not have believed
it,"
The first thing his eyes rest on is the
letter. He stoops and picks it up. 1t has
no envelope. and the flames. tliclering up
brightly and suddenly for one brief mo-
ment, show him one word that sets every
pulse beating with mad. wild ecstasy. 1t
is "Iolandc." With Il strong effort he re-
sists the temptation SO subtly thrown in
his way. He brushes the letter III his
hand, and with steady, r~csolutc step
crosses the floor. AS he opens the door he
secs his cousin hurrying towards him. her
face cage and anxious, her eyes fixed
intcntly on his face.
"DcnZil," she say in a voice of strange
agitation, did I drop IL letter i'll the Ii
brary just now"
II was just going to return it to you."
he answers. drawing back IL pace or two
into the room. Here it Isl"
She takes it eagerly from his hand: yet
he wonders why she follows his back
ward step and closes the door, thus lcav.
ing them both in the same room once
more.
You did not But therc-I am fool.
ish to ask. or course you would not do
such a thing"
II did not look at it. Is that what you
mean?' lie says. coldly.
'Oh. Denzil, you know I could not
mean that!!' she eNclaims. 'It was only
Your happiness L was considering. was
SO dreadfully afraid You might have seen
or lcarned-oli. what am l saying?"
II should like to know what You mean
by it, ut all events" says Dcnzil, very
stcrnly. I'm what way does that letter
concern my lappiness?"
do not ask mc.!' she cries, passionate
ly. 'You would never thank me for OPEN
ing your eyes. No. Drnzil; go hlindly on
to the md. 1t is not for me to say IL word
that will shattcr your FOOLS paradise"
Pauline" he says, his voice cold and
hard, you have said too much or too lit
tie. l insist upon knowing what you
mean. II YOU have guessed my secret
Guessed it!w she interrupts hastily.
"Oh, Dcnzil, longer than you have known
it yourself have l known of your love for
Yolande Mcrvyn! 1t is for that reason !
will say no word now. You will hate me
because / tell you what all who know
| this girl know, that she is too thorough
a coQuettc to he content with only one
slave, even though lie gives her such a
heart as yours"
And ere he can quite fathom the mean
ing of her strange words and looks she
ITO he c%ontirued,D