Mower County transcript., 1904-01-27

little recess, and took her in his
arms, imprinting on her lips warm
and passionate kiss.
1T may be for the last time, dear
est," he whispered, "but do not judge
me too harshly when you hear ALL"
What is it," she asked tremulously,
her eyes large and luminous with ten
der interest and alarm. For answer he
said:
"In little while you will know"
and led her to the foot of the stairs.
Slowly she ascended as though op-
pressed by the weight of an impending
disaster; at the turn she stopped and
looked back at him where he stood
watching her with passionate adora-
ton, all his soul in his eyes. Then he
turned his steps towards the library.
"Hullo, Kane!" exclaimed Richard,
heartily, rising and flinging book to
the other end of the leather lounge
on which he had been doing. "Come
in, man! You're just in time to keep
us awake"
The baronet's greeting, if less vo-
ciferous, was none the less pleasant.
where's Stellar" inquired Richard.
''She will be here Immediately"
said Kane, and even as he spoke she
entered the room.
Ring for your candles, will you,
Sis?" exclaimed Richard, "it gets dark
so confoundedly early here"
Stella moved towards the bell, but
Kane stayed her with gesture.
''Not just yet, please, if I may in
terfere," he said. Il have something
tc tell you all-something that is not
easy for me to say-and think can
get along better by the freight"
There was a lifeless quality in his
voice, and his usually verile tones
were curiously muf1ed. Richard Dy-
sart Was as far from divining what
was actually coming as either of the
other listeners, yet he was conscious
Of a quickening thrill of expectancy.
reused by Kane's words and manner,
and he glanced at him keenly.
Zone moment, Kane," he said; "am
I concerned in the story?" :.
"You are!" was the answer ar
which Richard drew a deep breath
and settled back in his seat.
Stella moved to a place in the recess
by the fireplace, where there was
deep shadow; Sir Arthur and Richa ard
sat on either side the blaze; Kane re-
mained standing in the center, de-
clining proffered seat. All looked
at him eXpectantly.
Richard Dysart," he began in color
less tones, NEARLY year ago you were
treacherously ambushed, shot and
robbed on the banks of the Moot
river. We all know the pitiful
story; no need to go over it again.
The man who robbed you was then
poor outcast, down on his luck,
very lshmael, and it may be honestly
asserted through no fault of his own.
This man saw you, a perfect stranger,
start on your prospecting trip into
the Karroo country. He tracked you
on horseback from day to day,
camping within sight of your fire every
night, sharing your hardships, starv-
ing when you went hungry, freezing
through the long, dark nights because
be dared not kindle blaze which
might have apprised you that you were
watched. At first his only thought
was to claim shares in whatever you
might find. But when, ambushed in
the tall grass, he saw you gather un-
told wealth, the demon of avarice
took possession of him, and he de-
termiued to have the treasure, even
it it came to the taking of life. You
were nothing to him then; he simply
saw in you one of an army of adven-
turers, many of whom would have
served him the same way. He left
you TO: dead, fled with his spoil to
the coast, and thought that his secret
was buried in the desert. He was rich,
and he became richer; from that hour
everything he touched turned to gold.
But he had miscalculated the power
OF conscience, of remOrse and-of
love. Sir Arthur and Miss Dysart, I
am the man who shot and robbed your
brother!"
He ceased speaking and turned
away. There was silence in the room,
save for the dull swapping and flicker
Of the fire, while from the darkness
came woman's sobs, answered by a
deep groan of anguish from the bowed
form Of the man who had just signed
his own death-warrant y
The two men. Sir Arthur and Rich
ard, sat looking at Kane in dumr
amaze. The former was the first tc
tnd his tongue, although usually the
more unready OF the brothers.
This is most extraordnary-er-
presume you are aware of the full i'm.
port of what you have told us-and-
er-of the consequences" this last sig
nificantly. ~-~~,-.
The culprit bowed. F.
Kane, old man, said Richard
I'm unfeignedly sorry! I'd~rather il
had been any man but you. I won't
say but what, since we saw old IPlish
yesterday, I've had certain misgiyings
but was unprepared for this"
There was-there is-there can be
no palliation or excuse, &, 4 said Kane
n3f&ipxp Iin