The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-04-24

face of the cashiers sworn testimony
he says coolly. MY dear Barbara,
Bouverie was proved guilty. He was
tried for drugging the cashier and rob-
bing the bank. and he committed the
crime without a shadow of doubt. |
dare say you were weak enough to
hand him over a hundred pounds, but
he robbed the bank as we'll"
HE did mott" breathes Barbara des-
perately, land it was l who begged
and prayed him to take the money. l
was to be his wife; there was no harm
in it, and it saved him from dis
honor"
Mrs. Saville takes Barbara's hand.
MY dear, don't make a fool of your
self! We don't doubt that he took
your money-it vas exactly the kind
of thing a man like George Bouverie
would do, but he vas guilty Of the
bank robbery as well. 1t is hard on
you, Barbara, but he is not worth a
regret"
Barbara's breath comes fast. Her
eyes I'LL suddenly with tears at the re-
dhSC VI Oh lulSl view DCl"ScL
herself and George that had been SOL
emn and almost sacred. He had knelt
beside her, with his face sorely trou-
bled, and she had prayed to God to
give him strength to begin a new life,
and give up the poison of the mania
for gambling. Was it likely after that
he would have committed the sin he
was found guilty Of?
She draws her hand from her aunt's
clasp.
"You are all against him-you and
Sebastian most of all. but l will save
him."
Barbara carries her point, and starts
on her journey alone.
Sebastian shrugs his shoulders.
What a high-1own piece of busi-
ness! But l see now why she went
out to Tasmania second class"
Barbara is an IDIOT" responds Mrs.
Saville i%rritably. Il would like to lock
her up! l suppose we may as we'll go
back to the Court till she comes to her
senses"
Not so. You can settle anywhere
you like, and when Barbara finds that
her tragic explanation of George Bou-
verie and the hundred pounds won't
get him out of prison I'll fetch her
over myself, but let her do all she can
now"
Barbara goes straight to the Grange.
Who should she go to with her news
but to Georges mother? And never
for a moment has she the slightest
doubt that her story will unbar the
prison doors and let George free. 1t
was her money he had. She had
brought 1t to him in a little bag, and
made him take it.; and now. with her
pretty face full of sympathy and hope,
h gathers poor, sorrowful Mrs. LOU
verie in her arms. and half weeping,
half laughing. tells the whole story.
And no doubt crosses the mothers
mind. Trembling with joy and ex-
element, she clings to Barbara, and
the two women weep together, drawn
to each other by the link of love that
is between them.
God bless you!" sobs Mrs. Bou-
verie. Il knew my boy was innocent,
but what shall WI do. I am so ig-
norant? Ought we not 60 to the law
yer who defended his case? Come,
Barbara! Oh, darling, you love him,
too; do not let us lose a moment! We
can go to Dublin this evening, and
then-oh, surely tomorrow they will
set him free?"
Neither Mrs. Bouverie nor Barbara
have the slightest idea of the red tape
and the endless formalities that can
keep even an innocent man under lock
and key.
Upon this fearful scene of excite
ment Doctor Carter enters. He pays
many a visit to cheer up his old friend,
and he alone knows of the calendar
that Is SO full Of sorrowful interest as
across each day a trembling line is
drawn, M t~wenty-four hours nearer
the end Of the time that is only begin
ming now.
He Is fully as much excited as Mrs.
Bouverie and Barbara. and, like them,
sees no difficulties in the way. 1t is
only when, In answer to an urgent ap-
peal, Mr.. Jarvis pays a late visit to
the Hotel Metropole, where Mrs. Bou-
verie engages rooms, that a little
doubt damps the ardor Of their hopes.
The man OF law looks at Barbara's
flushed, eager face with a dawning OF
comprehension.
"Quixotic," he thinks. Nov ]
know why Bouverie held his tongue. ]
thought there was something behind
the scenes"
To Mrs. Bouverie he says:
"This is most important evidence,
wish it had been produced at the time
Of the trial. 1t accounts for the
money, but how are We to get over the
facts sworn to by MI. Grey when hi
identified Bouverie as the man who
drugged him? That is the nut we have
to crack"
The look Of Joy died out Of Mrs
Bouverie's eyes, tears roll down hel
cheeks.
II thought this would have set him
Free" she murmurs, pressing he
hands together.
And Barbara's face Is full OF sor
rowful anxiety.