The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-11-04

&SV\
NO fear of that. It's the best novel
you have written" George Bostock re-
piled, looking at her with eyes that
spoke the secret of his heart.
I'm delighted hat you hin so.
The last book at which l work always
seems TO me the best until it's tinished;
hen, when l rea it owe l see how
completely 1t has failed to convcy what
{ intended. and l am ready to feel I'M
%'peakable gratitude to the critics II
hey will mercifully refrain from rend-
ng me"
Now they unanimously praise you,"
the publisher said.
Far more than l deserve; l am not
anmindful OF their gentleness."
You have earned all their praise"
replied this CHEEKY friend.
Ills more that | receive It,"
And they continued chatting Of lit
srature and Its votaries, unmindful be-
cause unconscious of the fate drawing
nigh them. until once more the servant
entered. this time with a book and a
etter which had arrived by the last
post. Looking at them. Mrs. Dunbar
on saw they were directed in the
handwriting of Nalerius Galbraith.
NSoiS ' ~ AoSS. 4tO a. SiI Y
BY the pale and haggard appearance
" his hostess, which her animation
lad until now concealed.
Are you not well?" he inquired
~.nXiously.
y have been somewhat upset"
He became suddenly grave, hest
lated, and then seeing Veronica had
eft the room, he, with The solicitude
81 a friend. said:
Surely not by him?"
Yes. He has returned, notwith-
standing his promise"
Has he been here" BoStock asked
,%nNiously, eagerly. -.
Not yet. but he nay come any day"
Can nothing be done?" he inquired,
much distressed by what he heard.
II fear not. But ths pain of this ex-
oectancy-the suspense"
II understand. Remember. If 1 can
Be of any service-you Know"
Yes, l know" she answered CRATE
fully.
With a strong. firm grasp he held her
1and In his, then left her without
.urther words. She stood watching the
loor by which he had made his exit,
Us If lost in thought. and then turned
,bsently to the table where lay the
unopened letter and book.
AT that Veronica entered.
See what Valerius Says. MOTHER"
he girl said. handing her mother the
Envelope.
Mrs. D%umbarton listlessly absently
,beyed.
Only a few words, stating that he
caves Paris tonight for Brindisi," she
'eplied.. And now. dea child to bed,
that you may get you beauty Sleep"
Shall I close the window before 1
90. darling?"
nc. feel the night warm; perhaps
is because I'm feverish."
You mustn't stan up late. mother.
remember what Doctor Quave said"
the girl replied. n having kissed her
mother lovingly, she quilted the room.
Left alone. Mrs. Dumbarton seated
the book Valerius had sent. one of
Francois Copee's. an author whom her
cousin knew she admired. CHANGING
casually at the first page she oon be-
anne interested In Its contents. so
that time quickly passed unpcrceived
oy her. for in following the thoughts
Of others. she escaped from her own.
Veronica had been an hour IN the
happy land of ~childhood's dreams, and
The cook had retired to bed, so that
none We're downstairs save Olive Dunn
barton and her maid, the latter await
nis the of her mistress. Sud-
denly, as the girl dozed over a weekly
periodical. she was rudely startled into
Wakefulness by sound as of the Shift
ng and crashing of furniture, and inn
mediately after came a cry of bitter
pain, such as might be drawn from a
woman by some cruel blow. to which
IN turn succeeded a hoarse shout. as
from a man in his extremity imp.oring
mercy and demanding help.
Petrifled by terror. the girl stood i'm
movable with strained senses for a
'econd. the acting on impulse. she
rushed to the study and flung wide
the door. In the center Of the room a
man Inv nnNn hto hoo1 -
eyes wide open and fixed. terror on his
Ehastly face. his jaws clinched, while
bending above him. almost as rigid as
he and as terrible to behold, stood Mrs,
Dumbarton. a knife in one hand. her
dress torn and blood smeared. her de-
the girl rushed from the room, Quilted
the house, and ran into the roadway.
A minute later and Veronica.
wrapped In a dressing gown. her hair
about her shoulders. her feet bare. her
limbs trembling, hurried into the study.
IN expression Of fright and bewilder-
ment IN her scarcely opened eyes. and
paused, frozen with terror, on the
Threshold. Her lips refused to cry.
terror lent her strength. and entering.
she bent above the PROSTATE. motion
less figure. and gazed upon the cruel
n evil face.
Father" she said In a shudderinp
whisper.
Then she looked upon her mother,
whose countenance was as that of a
marble mask-a mask cunningly carved
to express despair and delirium. agony
and fear, and lighted by the eyes Of
flame; looked upon the knife clutched
In the thin. nervous white hand, and
upon the blood-smeared GOWN, when
with a piteous and tende cry--the cry
OF n wounded beyond healing, the
child flung her arms around that dumb.
tragic dgure, eXclailming:
oh, mother. mother, what have you
AT that moment the servant hurried
policeman.
Look" she said Historically. as she
pointed to her Mistress. Look. She
has murdered him!'
AS the policeman advanced. Olive
shivered and drew back,
tottered. and with a piteous groan fell
beside the dead.
CHAPTER III.