Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-10-30

that she didn't imagine tnat ~ couu
be 40 cheerful. Reginald enson
"My dear child, Henson is not tnere
now" -
"Well. he is. He went there last
night. knowing that he was as MS iast
gasp. with the idea of getting more
money from Lady Littimer. TO NIB
great surprise he found Littimef there,
also. 1t was anything but a pleasant
interview for Mr.. Henson, who was
finally turned out of the house. 1t is
supposed that he came back again, 1or
they found him this morning in the
grounds with one of the dogs Upon
him. He is most horribly hurt, ana
lies at the lodge in a critical condltlon.
| promised Chris that | would bring d
message to you from Lord Littimer.
He wants you and DR.. Bell TO come
over this afternoon and stay te din
ner." .~
"Well come, with pleasure" DAVID
said. "Iu go anywhere to have the
chance of a quiet hour with you, Ruth.
So far. ours has been rather a prosalc
wooing. And, besides, shall want
you to coach me up on my interview
with your uncle. You have no idea
how nervous / am. And at the last he
might refuse to accept me for your
husband"
Ruth loked fondly up into her low
er's face. ...-
"As if he could" she said, indig-
nantly. "As If any man could ind
fault with you!" -.
David drew the slender figure to his
side and kissed the sweet, shy lips.
when you are my wife," he said,
land come to take a closer and ten
derer interest in my welfare"
could | take a deeper interest than
/ do now, Dayid?"
well, perhaps not. But you will
find that a good many people find fault
with me. You have no idea what the
critics say sometimes. They declare
that l am an imposter, a copyist; they
say that l am"
let them say what they like" Ruth
laughed. THAT is mere Jealousy, and
anybody can criticise. To me you are
the greatest novelist alive"
There was only one answer to this,
and Ruth broke away, declaring that
she must go at n C
But you will come this afternoon"
she said. And you will make Lord
Littimer like you. Some people say
he is queer. but call him an old dar-
ling"
He will like me, he is bound TO.
I've got something, a present for him,
that will render him my slave for life.
Au revoir till this evening"
The dew was rising from the grass,
the silence of the perfect morning was
broken by the uneasy cries of the
dogs. From their strange whimper-
ing, Williams felt pretty sure that
something was wrong. At most times
he would have called the dogs to him
and laid into them with a whip; for
Williams knew no fear, and the
hounds respected his firm yet kindly
| rule.
But Williams was in an exceptional
ly good temper this morning. Every
thing had turned out as he had hoped
for and anticipated, and the literal
kicking out of Henson the previous
evening was still fresh and sweet in
his memory. 1t would be something
to boast of in his declining years.
"Drat the dogs!" he exclaimed.
Now, what's the matter? / had bet
ter go and see. Got a fox in a hole,
haps. We shall have to tie 'em I'D in
future"
Williams darted into the thicket.
Then he came full upon Henson lying
on his back, with his white, uncon-
scious face and staring eyes turned to
the Sky, and two great dogs fussing
uneasily about him. A big pup close
by had a large swelling on her head.
BY Henson's side lay the ash stake he
had picked up when pursued by Mer-
rift.
Williams bent over the stark. still
figure, and shuddered as he saw how
his clothing was all torn away from
the body; saw the deep Wounds in the
chest and throat; be could see that
Henson. still breathed. His loud shout
for assistance brought Frank Littimer
n h lodgekeeper to the spot. To-
gether they carried the body to the
lodge and sent for the doctor.
"The case is absolutely hopeless"
Walker said, after he had made his
examination. THE poor fellow may
linger till the morning, but I doubt IL
he will recognize anybody again. Does
anybody know how the thing came
about?"
Nobody but Merritt could have
thrown any light upon the mystery.
and he was far away. Williams shook
his head as he thought of his parting
with Williams the previous night.
Il let him out and closed the gate
behind him." he said. "He must have
come back for something later on and
gone for the dogs. He certainly hit
one Of the pups over the head with a
STICK, and that probably set the others
on i'm. Nobody will ever know the
rights Of this business"
And nobody ever did, for Henson lin.
gered on through the day and far into
the night. At the house Lord Littimer
was entertaining a party at dinner.
Everything had been explained: the
ring had been produced and generally
admired. All was peace and happj-
ness. They were all on the terrace in
the darkness when Williams came IN
from the lodge.
Is there any further news Lord
Littimer asked.
YES, nay lord" Williams replied