Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-08-12


they were examining. Max was READY
TO swear that their faces touched.
This was uncomfortable. His nrst I'M
puIse was to fly down stairs n fling
Bysshe aside: his second was 70 hastily
pull out the drawers OF mis- dressing
table until he found a revolver he had
bought as n lad with some herolc lnteh-
ton of defending the house from burg
lars. The pistol was unloaded but bali
and cartridge were there, and to charge
the barrels was merely the work OF q
moment. No sooner was this done,
than. acting on a sudden thought that
filed him with terror, he flung the re-
yolyer into the drawer, which ne
locked, and hurried from the room.
on reaching the grounds where he
had seen them, there was no trace or
Edith or Bysshe, nor could they De
found on the terrace or in the park
where h sought them; for the simple
reason hat they We're in the morning
room with Lady Bysshe.
Before the family parted Tor the
night, Godfrey Bysshe bade them good
bye, saying he should nave to leave by
the first train in the morning. Al this
announcement Max could hardly re-
strain his satisfaction. The way would
now be clear for him to carry out the
desperate act on which he a resolved.
He rose early, and as he was dress
ing saw Edith where she had stood the
previous evening with Bysshe. Max
hurriedly finished his toilet, and UNI
locking the drawer which held his re-
volver, put it in his breast pocket. y
couple of minutes later and he had
Joined Edith, who was feeding a crowd
Of sparrows, robins n starlings that
fled at his approach.
You are UP early she said, with
q friendly glance.
Il couldn't rest all night. l was
thinking about you.
Her glance at him was full of quick
comprehension. Il think / must go in"
she remarked suddenly.
mot until / have spoken to you-un-
til / have asked you"
Don't, please don't ask me any
thing" she implored.
Il must" he answered, his voice
hardening, II can Dear suspense no
longer. You know / love you, that |
have always loved you since we were
boy and girl" he added, hoping this
reference to their youth would touch
her. ''Will you be my wife,"
Her face flushed and then turned
deadly pale. oh, why did you not
spare me, and spare yourself this
pain?" she asked.
You don't love me-"
mo; not as the woman should who
! would De your wire.
ITS because you love some one else"
he said in a voice choked with rage.
The angry glare in his eyes and the
swollen veins in his forehead frightened
her, but she stroye TO hide her terror,
and drawing herself up said, You for
get yourself"
Look here" he said abruptly, grasp
ing her wrist and speaking with a
slow elaboration that emphasized his
Z 40 r1nactnaCc. .aI Iowa unI and Will do
everything / can do to make o happy
IL you marry me. IL you dom promise
to do that here and now. there will
be another tragedy in your house. {
swear it, by
You wish to brighten me into a
promise she gasped.
Il mean what / say he answered,
letting her see the revolver sticking
out OF his pocket.
She believed he meant TO terrorize
her by a threat to take her life, but
she would not crafty him by appearing
TO finch.
you are a coward" she replied con-
temptuously Il don't care what you
call me; / want your answer"
She looked swiftly around for as
~sistance, but not a soul in sight. She
now felt assured Of his intention TO
shoot her.
1T will be done before help can come
TO you. Will o marry me-" he al
most shouted. now beside himself with
rage and despair.
VIII you marry me?" he asked
again, thrusting his face close 10 hers.
mo, no." she said, believing the
words would be her last.
She had scarcely spoken them when
she saw him snatch the revolver from
his pocket, turn it against his breast
and fire. Then his arms We're flung
upward, he reeled, fell heavily on his
back and remained motionless. The
breathless instant that followed seemed
long as eternity to her; h could not
cry out, but only gasp for breath. while
the whole world swung around her,
and she sank senseless beside him on
the ground.