The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1900-09-29


lin the wind with dripping leaves II
was here that the first morning of his
arrival he had kissed Susy; the per-
fume and color of her pink skin cane
hack to him with a sudden shock as
he stood there; he caught ut the flow
or, drew 1T toward him and inhaled
Its odor in a long breath that left
him faint and leaning against the
wall.
Then again he smiled, but this time
more wickedly-in what he believed
his cynicism had sprung up the first
instinct Of r~evengci
1t was now dark enough for him to
venture across the carriage road and
make his way, TO the rear Of the house.
His first characteristic instinct had
been to enter openly ut his own front
gate-bnt the terrible temptation to
overhear and watch the conspiracy
unohserved--that Fascination common
to deceived humanity to witness its
own shame-llad grown upon him.
He knew that a word or a gesture of
explanation, apology, appeal, or even
terror from his wife would check his
rage and weaken his purpose.
His perfect knowledge of the house
and the security of its inmates would
enable him from some obscure land
ing or gallery to participate in any Sc
cret conceive they might held in the
patio-the only place suitable for 81
numerous a rendezvous. The absence
of light in the few external windows
pointed to this central gathering. And
he had already conceived his plan OF
entrance.
Ginning the rear wall of the casa he
began cautiously TO skirt it's brandy
base, until he had reached a long,
oven-like window, half obliterated by
n monstrons passion vine.
1t was the window of what had once
been Mrs. Peyton's houdo;r;; the Win
dow by which he had once forced an
entrance to the house when 1t was in
the hands of the sGuattcrs; the VIM
dow from which Susy had signnled
her Spanish lover; the window whose
grating had broken the neck Of Judge
Peyton's presumed assassin.
But these recollections no longer de-
lnyed him; the moment for action had
arrived. He knew that since the trag-
edy the bcudoir had been dismantled
and stunned; The servants believed it
to lie haunted by the assassin's ghost.
With the aid of the passion vine
the ingrcss was easy. The interior
window was open; the rustic of dark
leaves IN the bare fioot. as he entered
and The whirf of ii frightened bird by,
his ear told the story of it's desolatioii
and the scurce of the strange noises
that had been heard there.
The door leading to the corridor
was lightly bottled, merely to keep it
from rafting in the wind. Slipping
the bolt with the blnde of his pcckat-
knife, he peered into the dark pass
age. The light streaming under the
door to the left and the sound Of
ture was right, and the meeting was
around the patio.
lie knew that a narrow gallery,
faced with Venetian blinds to exclude
the sun, looked down upon them. He
managed to gain it without discovs
cry; luckily the blinds we're still
down. Between their Stats, himself
llNlslDlC, III Sot1h ICdl anu SSCeGNGlS
thing that occurred.
Yet eren at that supreme moment
the first thing that struck him was
the almost lndicrous contrast be-
tween the appearance of the meeting
and its tremendous object.
Whether he was influenced by any
previous boyish conception of a
cloudy and gloomy conspiracy, he
All ,-t- L,,,,x-- Int Ia, san. f-, Is, So
slant almost disconnected by the APP
claye. Dccanters and glasses stood on
small tables before them; nearly all
were drinking and smoking.
They comprised Is OF 90 men, some
! whose faces were familiar to him else
where as southern politicians; a few;
he was shocked to see, were we'll
known northern democrats.
Occupying Il Enthusiastically CEN
trail position was the famous Colonel
Starbottle, of Virginia. Iaunty and
youthful looking in his masli-like,
beardless face, expressive and digni-
fed in his middle-nged port and car
riage, he alone retained something of
the importance--albcit slightly thcat-
rical and affccted-of the occasion.
Clarence, iii his first hurried glance,
had not observed Ms wife, and for a
moment had felt relieved;
But as Colonel ~Starhott1e arose at
that moment, and with Il %studiously5
e;;lis alrous and courtly manner turned
to his right, he saw that She was sit
ting at the further end of the balcony,
ami that a man whom he recognized
as captain Pinckney was standing be-
! side her.
The blood quickly frightened around
his heart, but left him cold and OBJ
! servant.
III was seldom, indeed, remarked
Colonel Starbottle, placing his fnt
white fingers in. the frill of his shirt
front, that a movement like this was
grnced with the actual presence of a
lofty. inspiring yet delicate spirit-a
Boadicea--indecd, lie might say a
Joan of Arc-in the person of their
very charmipg hostess, Mrs. Brant.
Not only We're they favored by her
social and hospitable ministration,
but by her active and enthusiastic CO.
/ operation in the glorious work they
had in hand. 1t was through her cor
respondence and earnest advocacy
that they We're to be favored tonight
with the aid and counsel of one of
1hS lioaN uiShlhS tiSteu dud lDNeEiul
men i'll the southern district of Cali
f%ornia, Judge Bceswinger, Of Los Ans
geles.
He had not the honor of that gen
tleman,s personal acquaintance; he
believed he was not far from wrong
lin saying that this wa also the mis-
fortune of every gentleman present,
but the name itself was a tower of
strength. lie would go further and
say that Mrs. Brant herself was per-
sonally unacquainted with him, but
that it was through the fervor, po-
etry, grace and genius of her CORE
spondence with that gentlemnn that
they We're to have the honor of his
presence that very evening. 1t was
understood that adviccs had been re-
ceived of his departure. and that he
might be expected ut Robes at any
moment.
Blu What proof have we of Judge
Y RPeSNSiu pal,'Ss p~IG1ppcs9S said, lazy