The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1904-02-04
CHAPTER xxxv.
A Story of the Past.

A queer picture, that. framed In by
the vast, wide, pillared hall-Cynthia
Lennox, a Juno warmed to life. tall,
majestic, Just now beseechlng; Mr..
Stack. small, composed, resolute; and,
looking from one to the ether, In in
credulous, dismayed bewilderment. the
lovely, childish face of Laurie Isle.
what does he mean?" she ques-
toned, and lifted her innocent gaze &c
Cynthia.
lie means--don't be frightened,
dear--that there has been some mis-.
understanding, and that for the pres
emit ne must detain you. He thinks
you may know---have known-some-
thing about this-affair!"
why. never even heard OF 1t.
What could know? This was the
very first knew Of it--this!"
She turned her head away and point
ed with one little, trembling hand To
the spot where a CLEAN Of sunshine
flashed weirdly.
ih CiCuCd W MISS iSSHHOA,
Stack went on, In his smooth, even
voice. mo stronger measures will be
taken In this case for some time-at
least not until more definite evidence
80 determined. In the meantime Miss
Gisle may remain at Blackcastle,
Though necessarily under surveil-
lance"
Under surveillance!" she repeated.
S'I under surveillance?"
YES" he said. with just a touch OF
Irritation. do you not yet understand?
You are arrested for thecrime of MUIR
der"
''oh!" Cynthia Lennox exclaimed,
with sudden burst of Indignant an
ger, "this Is brutal---it is infamous!
Why, she was miles from here at the
time! Besides. think for one moment
of this child injuring great. strong
man like him! Why. the very sugges-
ton is preposterous!"
And just then the undertaken and
his men assembled the stairs.
Il am arrested for--murder!" Laurie
Lsle cried, wildly, and put her hand
to her head In dazed, confused fash
fon--I?"
A dull faintness stole over her. Gym
thia noticed how heavily she leaned
against her, so, Tightening her hold.
she drew her across the hall and into
her own room, which lay beyond.
4 The day was done--the short Decem.
her day--and over the ruins of the
eastern tower. where for weary hours
strong arms had labored and laborei
an vain to find the CHASTITY fragments
of that which had once been q man
over solemn and stately Blackcastle--
over the restless. crushed and aching
hearts which throbbed within--night
FELL Night. which brought darkness.
hut not oblivion-re3t, not slumber--
silence. that was net the calm of
peace.
Eleven!--and the house was very
still. In all the corridors the lights
burned dimly. In the library below,
something lay vaguely outlined be-
meath understanding which held
IN Its very immobility an awe and a
chilling dread.
Cynthia shiyered as she went swiftly
down the hall to my lady's room. She
knocked, and In answer to a voice,
went in.
The room was bright with waxllght
and freight. Inyoluntarily she
glanced at the panel which she and
Cur{1 had cid t.o
mendous eassrness some hours before.
II had been pushed again to It's place
and now appeared only portion of
the carven wainscoting.
My lady was lying back In a low
chair before the fire. She had dropped.
as tired masker drops his domino,
the cold armor OF reserve which the
world seldom penetrated.
Here, with no unkfndly eyes TO pry
or criticise, she looked what she was,
end that only--an old, worn. haggard
woman.
She lifted her head as the girl en-
tered.
How is she?" she asked.
"She is asleep at last!" Miss Lennox
answered briefly. and sank down on
crimson faut:eul, with the familiar air
Of one too thoroughly at home to wait
Ter an invitation.
"why did she come back? I wanted
60 ask you earlier, but bad no OPP
rortunity of doing so before those 9TH
er people"
N "She came back because she
thought Give was here"
Oliver"
"Yes. She says he passed her yes
terday on board train coming toward
Blackcastie. She hoped to find him
here before her. Instead Of that--you
know the rest"
She had spoken In tone that was
almost one OF indlffereLcc. The fierce
excitement she had so recently under
gone had exhausted her.
"Cynthia." my lady cried. half hope
fully. half-despairingly. tit Is not
cannot be--tr1e! She is--sbe must be
madi"
.sOf course" was the weary reply.
eve know he Is dead"