The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-11-11
]copyrish.iso by
Z. Fitzgerald halloy

blkSet0lu PiAiloy NSSfSA ASfE
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n fear of that. It's the best love
you have written" George Bostock re-
piled, looking at her with eyes that
spoke the secret of his heart.
I'm delighted that you think so.
The last book at which l work always
seems to me the best until it's finished:
then. when l read it over. l see how
completely 1t has failed to convey what
[ intended, n l am ready to feel I'M
speakable gratitude to the critics II
hey will mercifully refrain from rend-
lng me-"
Nov they unanimously praise YOU"
the publisher said.
Far more than l deserve: I am not
u%nmindful OF their gentleness."
You have earned all their praise"
eeplled this CHEEKY friend.
tbs more that I receive It."
And they continued chatting OF lit
srature and It's votaries. unmindful be-
:ause unconscious of the fate drawing
nigh them. until once more the servant
entered. this time with a book and a
letter which had arrived by the last
post. Looking at them. Mrs. Dunbar
ton saw they were directed in the
'A'A w III l. ! b.
George Boctock rose. He was struck
BY the pale and haggard appearance
If his hostess, which her animation
had until now concealed.
Are you not well?" he inquired
%lnXiously.
II have been somewhat upset"
He became suddenly grave, hesi-
lated. and then seeing Veronica had
eft the room, he, with the solicitude
II a friend, said:
Surely not by him?"
yes. He has returned. notwith-
standing his promise"
Has he been here?" Bostock asked
.nxiously, eagerly. -.
Not yet, but he may come any day."
Can nothing be done?" he inquired,
much distressed by what he heard.
= II fear not. But the pain Of this ex-
pectancy-the suspense"
II understand. Remember, II I a
De of any service-you know"
yes, I know" she answered CRATE
tully.
With a strong, firm grasp he held her
land in his, then left her without
further words. She stood watching the
ioor by which he had made his exit.
is ii lost in thought, and then turned
lbsently to the table where lay the
unopened letter and book.
At that moment Veronica entered.
See what Nalerius says, mother,"
the girl said, handing her mother the
envelope.
Mrs. Dumbarton listlessly absently
,beyed.
only a few words, stating that he
caves Paris tonight for Brindisi," she
replied. "And now, dear child to bed,
that you may get your beauty Sleep"
Shall l close the window before 1
20, darling?"
NO. l feel the night warm; perhaps
is because I'm feverish."
You mustn't stay up late. mother;
The girl replied. and having kissed her
mother lovingly, she quilted the room.
Left alone. Mrs. D%umbarton seated
herself in a cosy chair, and opened
the book Valertus had sent. n of
Francois Copee's. an author whom her
sousin knew she admired. CHANGING
casually at the first page she soon be-
same interested In its contents, so
that time quickly passed unperceived
by her, for in following the thoughts
Of others, she escaped from her own.
Veronica had been an hour IN the
Happy land of %childhood's dreams, and
the cool had retired to bed. so that
none were downstairs save Olive Dunn
barton and her maid, the latter await
ng the of her mistress. Sud-
denly, as the girl dozed over a weekly
periodical. she was rudely startled into
wakefulness by sounds as of the shift
ing and crashing Of furniture. n i'm
nediately after came a cry Of bitter
pain, such as might be drawn from a
woman by some cruel blow. TO which
in turn succeeded a hoarse shout. as
from a man in his extremity imp!oring
mercy and demanding help.
Petrified by terror, the girl stood i'm
movable with strained senses for a
Iecond, hen acting on impulse. h
e1ychal IN tho Cf,,1y orl R,r~ ,,;a>
the door. In the center Of the room a
man lay upo his hack motionless. his
eyes wide open and fixed, terror on his
chastity face, his jaws clinched, while
bending above him. almost as rigid as
he and as terrible to behold, stood Mrs.
Dumbarton. a knife in one hand, her
dress torn and blood smeared, her de-
meanor Wild. With a horrible scream
the girl rushed from the room. quilted
the house. and ran into the roadway.
A minute later and Veronica,
wrapped in q dressing gown, her hair
about her shoulders. her feet bare, her
limbs trembling. hurried into the study.
IN expression Of fright and bewilder-
ment in her scarcely opened eyes, and
paused. frozen with terror, on the
Threshold. Her lips refused to cry,
terror lent her strength, and entering,
she bent above the PROSTATE, notion
less figure. and gazed upon the cruel
and evil face.
Father" she said in a shuddering
whisper.
Then she looked upon her mother,
whose countenance was as thai OF a
marble mask-a mask cunningly carved
10 express despair and delirium, agony
and fear, and lighted by the eyes OF
flame: looked upon the knife clutched
In the thin. nervous white hand, and
upon the blood-smeared gown. when
with q piteous and tender cry-the cry
Of n wounded beyond healing. the
child flung her arms around that dumb.
tragic figure, exclaiming:
oh. mother, mother. what have you
done?"
AT that moment the ervant hurried
ly reentered the room. followed by a
policeman.
Look" she said Historically, as she
pointed to her mistress. Look, she
has murdered hint"
AS the policeman advanced, Olive
Dumbarton shivered and drew back,
tottered. and with a piteous groan fell
senseless beside the dead.