Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-11-03

again at the other, subsequently search
ing the center of the thoroughfare.
His labors, however, resulted in notl1.'
ing more than the finding Of a mans
glove. apparently new, this having been
discovered on the pathway at the OPP
posite side and almost fronting Olive
Dumbarton's house. Mackworth re-
garded it with little interest, consider.
ing that If not belonging to the de-
ceased, it was probably dropped by
some individual in no way connected
with the crime.
The glove was, however, placed with
the articles found upon David DUNE
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 the
address, copied from the envelope
found upon his person.
CHAPTER ".
After being with some difficulty res
stored to consciousness, Mrs. Dunn
barton had. with the aid Of an opiate.
fallen into profound sleep, from
which she did not wake until midday.
Opening her eyes, she stared vacantly
before her as Ii striving to collect her
thoughts. in some way understanding
that heavy misfortune had fallen on
her, while being yet unable to realize
las ClldIdClcI vi IdlIlOnl llS CASSAlSs <AAA
unbroken silence hung over the house.
ominous in its stiffness, and weighted
with gloom, while the sun shone
through the drawn blinds joyously.
searchingly, mockingly as light that
penetrates the darkened chamber OF
death.
Moving her head she saw Veronica
seated beside her, pale from fright.
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 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 wild and broken cry, had flung
herself on her knees and buried her
head in the pillow. Olive Dumbarton
understood. and fresh and poinant
grief darted through her heart. Then
bracing herself, she, in weak and
trembling voice. said:
Veronica-Veronica!
The only answer she received was q
smothered sob, which shook the girls
frame.
Veronica" her mother said, yet more
6Gllly anu Mlll ltlllI.llG p6llllOS AAA 4ACk
tones, Il am innocent"
"A seconds breathless 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 ecstatic 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 unstained by bloodshed, that the.
woeful penalty of this crime could not
fall upon her, that their hearts would,
not be estranged or broken by grief.
or their lives divided, or their name
become blackened and made hateful
before the world.
burden that seemed unbearable
was suddenly lifted from the girls life.
the darkness which had brooded over
her soul was dispelled, her whole be-
ing, relaxed from torture and fear.
now vibrated with gratitude and de-
light.
1T was not I, my child: you UNDER
stand, am innocent" Mrs. Dumbarton
murmured.
Mother" Veronica exclaimed, fling.
ing her arms in transport Of joy and
gratitude that was not without re-
morse, around her mothers neck, while
she Kissed her pityingly. tenderly, low
ingly.
l1GLSS1OIlll, MIdlSNGl ape
pearances might produce upon others.
whatever conclusions they might draw
from evidence, would have no influence
upon her: she would believe her
mothers word against all the world.
And oh, dearest, can you forgive
me?" she said with bitter self-re-
proach. How could i have thought It
You saw. What else could you
think? But now"
Even as Mrs. Dumbarton spoke she
drew deep breath. all color quilted
her cheeks, and 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 upon her daughter
Now. mother dear. don't talk, and IL
you can help 1T don't even think, while
go and order them to prepare some
breakfast"
You believe me, Veronica?"
Mother" the girl said, infinite trust
and tenderest love expressed In that
one word.
Thank God" Olive Dumbarton MUIR
mused.
Veronica kissed her again and again
before quitting the room. as If In this
affection which words failed her to ex-
press.
To refrain from thinking was an ut
ter ilnpossibility to that stricken
woman, though thought was absolute
pain. AS she lay there in the silence
and gloom, lleartsicl1 and despairing,
the story of her life rose in black out
lines against the lurid tragedy 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 size should have
been in the school room. And in thts
world With which she hac forged to
mix, all things were bright in her young
sight, she not seeing 1T as a stage where
man and 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 folly
and pretense; where human lives are
bought and sold for pay and place, and
souls caught in the whirl of passions.
descend to swift damnation.
Followed and admired, praised and
courted, as she was, society was to her
land of enchantment and before her
second season ended she had wholly
given her heart to a young lieutenant
of Lancers. but five years older than
herself, handsome, daring, skilled polo
player, faultless in his dress, winning
in his speech. popular among women.
hailed as good fellow among men.
Continued Next Week)
Mo To.dvisn, Here