The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-02-21
J. CHAPTER XLIII.-(Continued.)
ssDvfng. vet not I'LL You speak in


He has committed suicide-that is, ne
has made an attempt on his life, but
he has not quite succeeded"
''Hs was very foolish" remarked the
sarl. Even the fact that his contiden-
ei&l steward had attempted to destroy
his own life seemed to him matter Of
lsss moment than the fact that his
vito loved him.
DE-. Randall looked uneasily at the
unconscious face.
"May 1 speak on q private matter?"
10 said.
Certainly" was the quick reply. Il
t1xve no secrets from my relative, Sir
Raou1.''
'fI' cannot quite understand it," con-
etnued the doctor. "They sent for me,
and when l reached the house 1 found
that Blantyre had attempted to take
Ais life. I will not tell you Nowhere
Il no need to add to list of horrors.
6 found him dying, not dead; he is
dying now. His only cry was for
Tou, Lord Caraven; he wanted ito see
gou."
II do not in the least desire to see
Aim." said the earl, quickly. Frankly
speaking, doctor, repentant sinners and
death beds are not much in my line.
could do him no good"
perhaps not-yet he gave me no
csst until had promised to ask you to
20 and visit him-no rest at all. The
strange part of the story has to come.
Lord Caraven. 1t was not poacher
who AIRED the shot-it was himself. We
AGve this time done the poachers an
enjustice."
The doctor was not prepared for the
effect of his words. The earl sprang
from his chair, rushed across the room
and seized him by the arm.
"Say that again!" he cried. John
Blantyre fred that shot?"
80 he says" replied the doctor "He
xnsped the story out to me in broken
words. I always hated her. he said;
hated her; and last night 1 shot her
by the edge of the lake. I shot her
through the heart, and I saw her fall,
GHd-'"
@Et is impossible!''' cried the earl
the man must have been delirious!
tle never saw Lady Hamilton in his
ufe-how could he hate herr"
THAT is the strangest part of the
stery." said the doctor. "He insists in
saying that he shot Lady Caraven. I
cannot understand the matter?"
sT do" put in Sir Raoul, calmly.
-B1antyre was dismissed at Lady Car
aveu's desire, and he swore to be re-
he has shot Lady Hamilton, believ-
eng her to be the countess.
"It is impossible!" repeated the earl.
They are so different. Lady Hamilton
Is fair, the countess dark-he could not
mistake them"
Suddenly he remembered that it was
IN the semi-darkness of the night that
che occurrence had happened, and Lady
Hamilton was wrapped in silvery
vefl. Could he have mistaken them?
The doctor shook his head.
RI do not understanding is, as have
laid, riddle to me. should certain
~ advise you, Lord Caraven, to see the
SAa1S tudL 10 CLic Ouly way W Clear uD
she mystery"
There Is no mystery" said Sir Ra-
sul. eft is as say, the man intended
70 murder Lady Caravea-by mistake
hs has shot Lady Hamilton. How he
distook them is perhaps mystery,
ind that you can solve by going to see
ttln. Go, Uric"
Yves" responded Lord Caraven, ct
will go-I will go with you, doctor, if
vou are ready. Raoul, it would be as
yell not to mention this"
'SFou may rely upon me-" said his
nterd.
The doctor and the earl quilted the
room together. The carriage was or
tered, and they drove at once to Court
Raven.
They were not long in finding Blan-
Yre's house, and before long the earl
stood by the death bed of his late
steward. The mans dying face was
turned toward him, his dying eyes
Steamed as they recognized him.
"My lord" he said, you were always
kfnd to me. Her ladyship ruined me
-She turned me aWay-and l hated
ter. I would not harm one hair OF
your head; but I have killed her; and
{ am not sorry, I am glad.'
Whom have you killed." asked the
earl. calmly.
The dying man glared.
Whom? The countess of Caraven
As beautiful, proud, imperious woman
Gho, with one wave of her hand, SEM
- to ruin-I have killed her."
How did you kill her." inquired the
sari.
A Wild laugh came from the mans
uDA
.aow? I have watched and waited
aany long day. I have stood in the
tigh road when she passed by, but new.
q until the other night did get one
shAnce. I could have shot her dead .
hnnAred times, but would not, lest II
skiing her life l took also the life d,
80 who had never harmed me. hat
u her because she ruined me. She
4 Ssose me from my place, she left mi
i Afoukded as a thief amongst nv fellow.