The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-10-14


touched something hard, and she
quickly stopped to pick up a smatl vial
containing a blush liquid, which he
had pres bly, dropped in the strug-
gle.
where am II" he asked in his usual \
gentle, pathetic voice, While he raised
his guileless eyes toward he light.
All. I have been walking in my sleep,
and l fancied I was attacked by a /
burglar.
FOR one brief second a wild hope
flashed on Max that perhaps this was
the explanation of his fathers presence
there; hut he promptly remembered
that when seized as he was about to
enter Edith'S room, he gave no sign
of being reused from slumber. that
during his fierce struggle he had care
fully RETAINED from betraying himself |
by speech, and that a bottle had been
found beside him which no doubt held
stuff intended to do deadly work. An
overwhelming sense of shame made
Max long to hide himself where no
man might ever see his face again.
Though the scene had appeared to
him to stretch itself over an intoler-
able time. in reality 1t occupied but
few minutes, whose intense strain was
now broken by Edith asking in star
tied voice: What is that-who is
there"
Hurriedly rousing herself from the
crushing fear that had fallen on her.
Lady Bysshe replied. 1T is |. Edith;
shall be with YOU in moment. dear.
"Oh, Aunt Margaret, is it you?
was awakened by noise like fail.
and I thought heard papa's voice just
now"
you did. dear. He came into the
corridor u see that all was right, and
slipped. / shall be With you immedi-
ately."
AS she spoke Lady Bysshe heard
soft. gliding tread approaching. and
turning saw Crbano. fully dressed.
stealing from the darkness beyond. 10
her overstrained mind his deforned
figure was crouched as if ready to
spring at her, while his eyes shot fiery
and malignant chances at her, before
which She instinctively drew back.
Without speaking 10 her the man
Whispered something to his master,
and quietly led him away.
Max drew a long breath. Il am go
ing out OF doors" he whispered. Il
need no longer keep watch.
oh Max, my poor boy. this is
dreadful-horrible!" Lady Bysshe re-
piled, in the same hushed voice.
Without answering he strobe along
the corridor, downstairs. and out into
the night.
He looked into the sky. which was
without cloud and was crowded With
stars that looked down on him watch
fully. like all-seeng eyes. but they
had no compassion in their in,en,ness,
no sympathy for him being born of
such a parent-a parent he had all his
life loved and revered, but who was---
Presently he began to think of the
last time he had hcen out at such an
hour, the morning on which an attempt
had been made on Godfrey BysShes
life ard his Jewels stolen. And then
his mind leared back to the murder
of Richard GOffe. The same mystery
had surrounded them all seemingly
r. lar.
man who had succeeded in the first
that had attempted the other murders?
AT this thought Max flung himself face
downward on the frost bound earth
and grovelled there in despair. while
the stars slowly faded and CHASTITY
gray light crept over the silent world.
1t was early in the morning when,
shiveiing from cold ana weary from the
miles he had trudsed, he returned TO
the hall. Il place which henceiorth must
be full of horrors for him; a house he
must no longer regard as ms home lie
up the stairs stealthily as culprit, ana
got into bed, where, worn out, he fell
into restless, dream-haunted, harass-
ing sleep from which he could not es-
cape until late. Then he woke sudden
ly, with II heavy, underlined fear press
ing on him, and remembered all
. When he entered the breakfast room
he saw that nothing had been touched
on the table. AS he poured out his
coffee the butler came in looking placid
ana important as usual. an alone TINS
morning. SIR he remarked.
so it seems Max answered.
: Her ladyship is having her break
fast in her rooms Caught cold, it APP
l pears. Her maid tells me the journey
to Eastbourne is postponed. Very un.
| fortunate, sir
I Very
tNN.1 V't,N en- no nt
not we'll Urban" sent for Dr. Hopkin:
4 the first thing this morning. He's JUS
s gone, sir: says there's nothing particu
e lar the matter with the count, sir. II
my opinion it's the hard weather tina
tells on us ALL sir.
Very likely, Roberts. If her lady
ship wants me shall be iii the library.
Yes. sir Hope you're not unwell
sir; you have eaten nothing
II have slept too ling to have an ap
petite Max replied as he left thu
room.
All that miserable day he remained II
the library.
AT lunch he was again alone, and a
the butler had no news for him he re
manned silent. The meal was oppres
sive, ana he was glad to get back onc'
more to the library.
When daylight began to fade he wen
into the park and remained there, wan
derins distractedly about until dime
time. On his return he was told tina
the doctor had paid his father Secon'
visit. TO save appearances he hurried
toward the counts ROOM but instead o
entering it went to his own. He coul
not. he told himself, ever look on hi
fathers face again. 4.
Though his brain was burning Wit
shame, and his heart buried in Il Sc
of b!ackness. he felt obliged to s
through the usual routine of petty OF
servances. just rs If his life had no