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

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some individual In no way connected
with the crime.
The glove was, however. placed with
the articles found upon David Dunn
barton, and before the world of Lon
don was yet astir. Inspector Mack
worth was on his way to Iake in
auiries concerning the deceasSl at the
address, copied from the envelope
found upon his person.
CHAPTER w.
After being with some difficulty re-
stored to consciousness, Mrs. Dunn
barton had. with the aid of an opiate.
fallen into a profound sleep, from
which she did not wake until midday.
Opening her eyes, she stared vacantly
before her as If striving to collect her
thoughts in some way understanding
that a heavy misfortune had fallen on
her, while being yet nab to realize
its character or fathom Its extent. An
unbroken silence hung over the house.
ominous in its stiffness, and weighted
with gloom, while the sun shone
through the drawn blinds ioyously,
~searchingly. m~oclingly, as light that
penetrates the darkened chamber of
death.
Moving her head h saw Veronica
seated beside her, pale from fright,
haSSard with grief and her eyes meet
ing those OF the girls. the shape and
color of the latter in a flash brought to
the startled woman's mind the eyes,
wild. fixed and CLASSY, into which she
had looked the previous night; when
the recollection of that tragic scene in
which M had played so terrible a part,
rose vividly before her With all it's
CHASTITY horror in the present, with all
its threatening terriers in the future.
On meeting her glance, Veronica.
with a wild and broken cry, had flung
herself on her knees and buried her
head in the pillow. Olive Dumbarto
understood, and a fresh and poinant
grief darted through her heart. Then
bracing herself, she, in a weak and
trembling voice, said:
Observation-Disclosures"
The only answer she received was a
smothered sob, which shook the girls
frame.
Veronica her mother said, yet more
gently and with infinite pathos in her
tones, Il am innocent"
A econd breathless silence en-
sued. then the girl. who never yet had
cause to doubt her mothers word. lift
ed her head, an expression of wonder
ment, Infinite relief. and e~cstatic Joy
upon her upturned face, her lips parted.
her whole existence seemingly sus-
pended as she heard n realized that
her mother was free from guilt. her
soul unstained by bloodshed, that the
woeful penalty of this crime could not
fall upon her. that their hearts would
not be estranged or broken by grief.
or their lives divided, or their name
become blackened and made hateful
before the world.
A burden hat seemed unbearable
was suddenly lifted from the girls life,
the darkness which had brooded over
her soul was dispelled, her whole be-
ing. relaxed from torture and fear,
now vibrated with gratitude and de-
light.
TT was not 1. my child: you under
stand. am innocent" Mrs. Dumbarton
murmured.
Mother" Veronica exclaimed. fling
ing her arms in a transport Of Joy and
gratitude that was not without re-
morse, around her mothers neck, while
she kissed her pityingly. tenderly. low
ingly.
He%nceforth, whatever impression ap-
~pearances might produce upon others,
whatever conclusions they might draw
from evidence, you'd have no influence
upon her; she would believe her
mothers word against all the world.
AND on, dearest, a you forgive
me-" she said with bitter %self-re-
proach. How could 1 have thought it
was you who"
You saw What else could you
think? But now"
Even as Mrs. Dumbarton spoke she
drew a deep breath, all color Quilted
he" cheeks. n her eyes closed. The
excitement had been too much for her
strengths consciousness again deserted
her. Veronica bathed her mothers
temples with sal volatile, lifted her to
a sitting position. and chafed her hands
until presently she opened her eyes and
faintly smiled upon her daughter.
Now. mother dear. don't talk, and II
you can help 1t don't even think. while
NJ go and order them to prepare some
breakfast"
You believe me. veronica7"
Mother" the girl said ip1pS+o <u,c%
and tenderest love expressed IN that
one word.
Thank Cod" Olive Dumbarton muir
INJURED.
Veronica kissed her again and again
before quitting the room, as II In this
manner she would convey the faith and
affection which words failed her to ex-
press.
To refrain from thinking wa. an ut
ter im~possibility to that stricken
woman, though though, was absolute
pain. AS she lay there in the silence
and gloom, heartsick and %despairine
the story of her life rose in black out
lines against he lurid TRACED, which
mad crowned and intensified all her sor-
rows.
An only child, worshipped by her
mother-her sole surviving parent-and
earessed by her friends, she had en-
tered society when she should have
been in the school room. And In ms
~ ''' IlINI vi HiE IOnRpd 10
mix, all things were bright In her younp
sight. she not seeing it as a stage where
nan and woman meet masked: where
tragedy wears smiles and sadness SINGS
loud, lest Its grief be disclosed; where
the voice Of truth sounds stranpa.
where glare and excitement hide fo1Iv
and pretense: where human lives are
bought and sold for pay and place, and
souls caught in the whirl of passions.
descend to swift %dainnation.
@ Ill npsnl 49,
courted, as she was, society was to her
a land OF enchantment and before her
second season ended he had whollv
given her heart to a young lieutenant
OF l>ancers' but five years older than
player. faultless in his dress. WINNIE
in his speech. popular among Women
hailed as a good fellow among men.
Continued Next Week.)
fl,-,A y-;ta, % 49,