The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-10-28
CHAPTER xxXuI.
POISON.

POISON.
Max had ridden down TO Balwash
tied his horse to the iron rail protec-
ting the surgery window, and was
standing with his back to the chimney
piece in the doctors stuffy little sit
ting room when the latter returned
from seeing his distinguished colleague,
as he termed HIM. into the train.
You see I have lost no time Max
began. Tell me hat Sir WI m
"He agrees with me-" replied Doctor
Hopkins slowly. There is danger"
You told me there was danger" said
Max, with nervous Impotence. But
what is the danger?"
I'VE both agree in thinking" re-
sponded the medical man impressively.
Miss Cowiey is being poisoned"
Max spranr forward. alert, quivering,
his small eyes glaring. all the blood
gone from his face. "Poison-poison,'
he repeated in an undertone. "Oh. it's
impossible. There's some mistake" he
added, as IL scouting the idea.
ut seems hardly credible. but it's the
only conclusion we could com to-" the
doctor told him. "A attempt to poi
son her has twice been made"
But think of it," pleaded Max: who
would harm her, who would kill hero?"
Doctor Hopkins was about to remind
him that by attempting to shoot him-
health; but he forebore referring to the
incident. now tina Max showed such
feeling and horror.
II can't tell you who it is hat would
kill her." the doctor said. but what
l do know is this. that If anything
will be hanged for It,"
Good heavens! Don't let US talk
Of such a possibility. Something mus.
be done, something can be done. but
what it is. I am unable to think at
present. Help me-tell me-"
II wish I had moved her away from
the hall after the first attempts"
1T is q cursed place." replied Max.
vehemently. But cannot you send her
away now. It's not too late"
she will not be able to travel for
some days, n meanwhile
mo. no. nothing will happen to her"
Max cried out tc. interrupt him, his face
still white with fear. Think of it,
how terrible 1t would be. But
something ought to be done at once.
The detectives? They are still hang
ing about the place."
And have not found out anything"
81 will consult my father
helrless STILL
Tut | cannot keep his news to my
self: some one else must share the
responsibility, must suggest some ac-
ton. ! will tell Lady Bysshe." Max
said. %clutching at an idea.
On reachin the hail he found that
Lady Bysshe was with Edith: but as he
could not rest or think coherently until
he had shared the news with her, he
sent a message asking her to see him
a moment in the morning room.
With some premonition Of evil she
hurried down. when the sight of his
distracted expression, n the beads of
p~erspiration on his forehead, confirmed
her fears.
"Oh. Aunt Margaret he began, adj
dressing her as was his habit before. re-
cent events had bred GOODNESS between
them.
You have been down to see Docs
tor Hopkins? 2" she said. grasping at the
truth.
Il have, and he says-but I can't tell
She began TO tremble. H fears
h worst for Edith?"
mo. no. We will save her. It's this"
and he told her all.
Fortified with establishment and hor-
ror, she heard him In silence.
What Is to be done?" she moaned
in despair.
II suggested that Edith should be
moved from this accursed house, but
SAAS NOSASA ooSo WoOlu IOl Ue dOIo
for that"
"And he is right. Poor child, her
strength Is terribly spent from her
fight with the last attack. slight as IT
seemed. And to leave here might only
be to avoid her murderer for the pres
ent."
Let US telegraph for Godfrey" Max
proposed.
II would. but HI the great trial in
which he Is engaged begins tomorrow.
I know he would not hesitate-but l
cannot ask him."
My father"
"As he could not help US, 1t would he
cruel to frighten him."
Max looked gloornily out of the win
dow facing him, whilst Lady Bysshe,
with her back to the door, faced a Ven
etian mirror hanging on the opposite
wall. AS she inadvertently glanced at
this. she saw the door slowly open and
Urbano step softly into the ROOM, pause,
and listen. his SCARED face. II possible,
more livid thar ever. his cleaning
eyes fixed on her. his distorted figure
crouched as II endeavoring to conceal
itself.
Lady Bysshe felt that thrill Of UNI
accountable terror selling her. such as
some nave experienced in the presence
OF an invisible nd CHASTITY being. and II
was only by an effort of will she was
able to turn round and face him.
What do you want?" she asked
sternly.
IF you please my lady. l tapped
three times" Urbano muttered.
You were not heard. Why do you
come here?"
His excellency, the count has been
asking for his son." he answered.. and
with a furtive look he left the room.
Has he heard?" Max ask ed. startled
by what he had seen.
No. ! was looking in the glass whel,
he stole in. l n o not what must be
done. What we know must be kept to