Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-11-08

blood that had been SURFING il his brave
heart rushing to his cheeks. "Eut / re-
peat tha, chose things we're placed in
my clothing since l re,urned to this hos
uital."
THAT may be- r%eioincd the major,
with Il diyniticd calmness. we are not
authorized to question yo,:, nor are you
forced to speak,
"Then why. sir, did you have these
things brought herc!' demanded Colin.
Morton said the major. you must
be calm: no person here accuses you of
anything improper. We ;hl hope that in
make, the evidence shall bear out all
Your representations. for Your conduct.
III the time of the wreck, has not lesn
forgotten. But as yon are Il man OF real
son and some education. You will conccde
that |. rs the commanding officer of this
post. would he tere.ict in my duty if
dill not institute the most searching in
vcstigation."
"lon are right in that. | court an in
vestigaiion. | do not dread the truth,
but weak as | am, l clnnot remain here
and see my life jcopardized and my hon
or sullicfi by rs damnable IL conspiracy
as was ever liatched.'
Morton" said the doctor. coming over
and taking his hand. so that he could feel
the pulse. You must MOI ret excited.
Calm yourself and listen 10 the major.
We all want 10 he your fricnds.'
"Ifr. Ross" said Florence. rising. pale
faced. but with Il loos OF mingled horror
and Indignation in her c.ycs. will this
talk cniangcr Colin Morton's lifc:'
Il fear it WILL" said The doctor.
That is what The conspirators want.
she said. iragically. They have planned
his ruin, AMI nothing else will satisfy
item. They have plotted with the devil.
i,Ht | shall irus. in heaven to defeat
tnom."' she KNIT, beside the bed, and
taking; his hand between her palms. she
said. iinploringly: Listen to them. Coin;
hear them oul. brave heart"
II must speak. Florence. | must
speak," cried the distracted soldier.
Speak again. Colin: speak again, but
listen now. See, my hearts life. here l
am. kncclin. beside YOU. Your right.
white hand is clasped in mine. | press it
TO MY heart. to my lips. | kiss ii for it's
strength. and the strength of its purity.
Though the dead man rose from the
grave, OF came dripping from the watera
of the Sound, and pointed TO YOU and
| said: There is my murlercr.. | should
shout him back with the cursed lie on his
Mhostly lips. Brave men are never muir
GercrS: brave men are never plottcrs;
| brave men are never liars. Mr.. Reynolds.
if the dead could revisit the earth. would
be your first defender. He is not here,
Colin. They have Slain him because
they hated yo,i. and Till death does us
part / shall remain with you, because l
love you. Look MP, Colin. Hold up your
brave head. Look into their eyes, dear
heart, for truth and manhood. are on your
sidc-and my life. Colin-my hcart is
bleeding. but not slain. 1T Your feet"
Could an actress have uttered these
words on n dramatic stigc-uttered them
with the awful heart fcrvor and indie
scribablc intensity of expression that
characterized the manner of Florence
I.oring. the world would ring with hor
praise. and Fame would wait on Fortune
to do her homer.
AS ii was. the officers drew back md.
excepting the majors protrudins orbs, CO.
cry eye was wei with tears: but Mrs.
Phelps. no longer able 10 control her
emotion. knelt beside Florence and sob
bed aloud.
Robert Braccbridge drew back after he
had complied with the majors order. He
-aw the palpabie evidences of his COM
radc's guilt-not OF his guilt, but The
proofs of the charges that would be
brought against him-and lie felt that
lie was himself in some WAY to blame.
Excited. fearful and maddencd 10 the
border OF recklessness. Robert Brace
bridge was about TO speak in Ibis COM
rade's behalf. when the major. with his
still ponderous and pompois manner,
stopped him.
II wish to assert again. he said. shat
this is not Il trial. Our only object is TO
get mt the truth. A.s | told my brother
officers. Mr.. Reynolds. if Morton's story
is to be credited. was killed by thu In
dian named Fish Hawk. and that porsoI
is here. anxious for 4 trial. ana ready &c
prove. by Indians and reliable white men.
that he WAS in the vicinity of the Fort
The night when Morton claims the attach.
took place. Now, Morton is either right
or wrong. II he had any hand in the
destruction of Mr.. Reynolds. it could only
be for gain. This is how | reason. for
Mr.. Reynolds proved in selecting him
that there was no enmity between them;
therefore. if Morton was the aggrcssor.
it must have been for gain. Ii for gain.
| thought he must have some of the off
GERS property i'll his possession When he
came to the Fort: this is Why | asked
about his clothing
(To be c%ontinued.)