The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-10-30

the house Is not the same now, and
that she didn't imagine that 1t could
be so cheerful. Reginald Henson"
MY dear child, Henson is not there
now"
well, he Is. He went there last
night, knowing that he was as his last
gasp, with the idea of getting more
money from Lady Littimer To his
| great surprise he found Littimer there,
also. II was anything but pleasant
interview for Mr.. Henson, who was
finally turned out of the house. 1t is
| supposed that he came back again, for
they found him this morning in the
grounds with one OF the dogs Upon
him. He is most horribly hurt, and
lies at the lodge in a critical condition.
| promised Chris that would bring a
message TO you from Lord Littimer.
| He wants you and DIR. Bell to come
over this afternoon and stay to din
ner"
Wen come, with pleasure" David
| said. "I'll go anywhere to have the
chance of a quiet hour with you, Ruth.
So far, ours has been rather a prosaic
woo.ag. And, besides, I 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
nigh. refuse to accept me for your
husband"
Ruth loked fondly up into her low
er's face.
'As II he could!" she said, indig.
nantly. AS il any man could find
fault with you!"
David drew the slender figure to his
side and kissed the sweet, shy lips.
when you are my wife," he said,
'and come to take a closer and ten
| derer interest in my welfare"
Gould take deeper interest than
do now, David?"
well, perhaps not But you will
| find that good many people find fault
| with me. You have no idea what the
| critics say sometimes. They declare
that | am an lposter, copyist; they
| say that 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 once.
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 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. II would be something
| to boast of in his declining years.
"Drat the dogsi" he exclaimed.
| Now, what's the matter? / had bet
| ter go and see. Got fox in a hole,
haps. We shall have to tie 'em up 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 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; he could see that
! Henson still breathed. His loud shout
| for assistance brought Frank Littimer
and the 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 l doubt IL
he will recognize anybody again. Does
anybody know how the thing came
about?"
Nobody but Merritt could have
thrown any light uron 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 him. 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 happi-
ness. They were all on the terrace in
the darkness when williams came up
from the lodge.
/ ''Is there any further news?" Lord
Littimer asked.
/ yes, my lord" Williams replied.
| DIR. Walker has just come, and would
like to see you at once. Mr. Reginald
Henson died ten minutes ago"
hush came over the hitherto noisy
group. 1t was some time before Lord
Littimer returned. He had only to
confirm the news. Reginald Henson