The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-11-11

again at the other, subsequently, search
ing he center of the thoroughfare.
His labors, however. resulted In moths
ing more than the finding OF a mans
glove. apparently new, this having been
discovered OF the pathway at the op-'
posite side and almost fronting Olive
~Dumbarton's house. Mackworth re-
gardedtit with little Interest, consider
ing that if not belonging to the de-
ceased. 1t was probably dropped by
some individual in no way connected
with the crime.
The glove was. however, placed with
barton, and before the world of Lon
don was yet astir, Inspector Mack
worth was on his way to make In
quiries concerning the deceased at h
address, copied from the envelope
found upon his person.
CHAPTER ~.
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 unable to realize
It's character or fathom It's extent. An
unbroken silence hung over he house.
ominous in it's stiffness, and weighted
with gloom, while the sun shone
through the drawn blinds i%oyously,
~searchingly, mockingly. as light that
penetrates the darkenedt chamber OF
death.
Moving her head she saw Veronica
haggard 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 she had played so terrible q part,
rose wildly before her with all its
CHASTITY horror in the present, with all
Its threatening terrors 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 Dumbarton
understood, and q 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, II am innocent"
A seconds GREATNESS 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 and realized that
her mother was free from guilt. her
soul unstaired by bloodshed, that the
woeful penalty of this crime could not
fall upon her. that their hearts woul
not be estranged or broken by grief,
or their lives divided, or their name
become blackened and made hateful
before the world.
A burden that seemed unbearable
was suddenly lifted from the girls life,
the darkness which had brooded over
her soul was dispe.led, her whole be-
Ing. relaxed from torture and fear,
now Nibrated with gratitude and de-
light.
ut was not 1, my child: you UNDER
stand. l 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.
Henceforth, whatever impression ap-
pearances might produce upon others,
Whatever conclusions they might draw
from evidence, would have no influence
upon her; she you'd believe her
h'osiiSA WIN dSttiiSl I'LL Tie WOTIO.
And oh, dearest, can you forgive
me?' she said with bitter seif-re-
proach. How could I have thought 1t
was you who
You saw. What else could you
Even as Mrs. Dumbarton spoke she
drew a deep breath, all color Quilted
her cheeks, m her eyes closed. The
excitement had been too much for her
strength; 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
family smiled upo her daughter.
Now, mother dear, don't talk, and IL
you can help 1t don't even think, while
breakfast"
You believe me. Veronica?"
Mother" the girl said, infinite trust
and tenderest love expressed IN that
one word.
Thank Cod" Olive Dumbarton mur-
INJURED.
Veronica kissed her again and again
before quitting the room, as II in his
manner she would convey the faith and
affection which words failed her to ex-
press.
To refrain from thinking was an Mt
ter impossibiiity to that stricken
woman. though thought was absolute
pain. AS she lay there in the silence
and gloom, heartsick and despairing.
the story of her life rose in black out"
lines against the lurid TRACED, which
had crowned and intensified all her sor-
rows.
An only child. %worshipped by her
mother,her sole surviving parent-and
caressed by her friends, she had en-
tered society when she should have
been in the school room. And In mis-
world with which she ha1 lorged to
mix. all things were bright in her Young
sight, she not seeing it as a stage where
man ana woman meet masked: where
tragedy wears smiles and sadness sings
loud, lest its grief be disclosed; where
the voice of truth sounds strange:
where glare and excitement hide folIv
and pretense: where human lives are
bought and sold for pay and place. ana
sous caught IN the whirl of passions,
descend to swift damnation.
Followed and admired. praised and
courted. as she was. society was to her
a land of enchantment and before her
second season ended che had wholly
given her heart to a young lieutenant
of Lancers. but five years older than.
herself, handsome. daring, a skilled polo