Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-12-23
CHAPTER XIV.

AftA1l Els AIAs
On hurriedly quitting the house with
the intention OF pursuing, IL necessary,
this unknown intruder, Valerius en-
%countered q woman's figure. standing
still and passive in the pathway
figure plainly distinguishable from the
surrounding darkness because OF the
strong light still streaming from the
window.
who are your" he asked breathless-
~ and abruptly, disappointed at finding
IL was not a man with whom he had
TO deal.
MY name is not known to YOU" came
the answer, spoken in a voice whose
careful meditation aud deep music
struck him even then.
What do you want?' he asked, his
anger at her presence unsubdued.
ITO see her--Mrs. Dumbarton." came
the calm reply.
Naierius hesitated as 10 what his next
question should be. her words surpris-
ing him. all kinds Of ideas rising in
his mind.
For what purpose?r he demanded.
II have something to say which she
may be glad to hear
Concerning the
Concerning the murder she said.
completing the sentence he had hest
tated to finish.
Your
II. Take me to her.
Even still he seemed to hesitate, his
eyes fixed on the face whose features
he was unable to discern, the agitation
he had felt from the instant he had
seen her through the glass yet master
Ing him. Suddenly he wheeled around
Ia the pathway, saying.
Come with me-"
Without further words she followed
him up the steps, through the hall, and
into the room where Olive Dumbarton
stood waiting for her cousins return,
her face still white from anxiety. her
eyes brilliant from excitement, her
limbs trembling.
AS the stranger entered with a slow
and firm tread. q composed and grace
full mien. the two women gazed at
each other intently, eagerly, scrutin-
izlngly.
Something there was in the appear
ance of this unknown woman which,
apart from the circumstances OF her
visit, arrested the attention of the three
individuals. who now mutely gazed at
her. That she was foreign was evil
dent from her olive complexion, the
blue black hue of her thick hair, the
dark color of her eyes with their heavy.
sweeping brows. Her figure was short
ana rather stout, but a certain meas
ured stateliness In her movements gave
IL that grace which iS usually asso-
ciated with height. Her & seemed
not more thar 1--WE and twenty.
IN her dress there was something
fantastic and shabby, the colors inclin-
ing to gayety, the cut to fashion. The
little headdress which did duty for a
bonnet was perched with a certain
d~aintiness amid the billowy masses OF
her hair: her gloves were frayed at the
finger tips, and round her throat was
d necklace II red coral.
AT her entrance she had made n
naanAsaAs. ~ hses> might &c considered a
courtesy. which the mistress of the
house returned by a bow, and then
stood waiting, her arm laid for support
| upon the high back Of her chair, from
| which she had just risen.
sShe wishes to see you" yalerius
! said. breaking the silence.
"About--Y" Olive Dumbarton be-
gan, her pale lips parted in expecta-
ton.
About your husband the strange
remarked.
Olive Dumbarton sank into a chair,
scarcely knowing what revelations were
about TO be made to her, fearing that
| her humiliations were now to be added
III, scarcely hoping that the darkness
! surrounding her might be lifted.
Then heA eyes fell on Veronica. who
was staring at the visitor with all her
might.
Veronica. leave me a little while,
dear" she said gently.
The girl rose and quilted the room.