The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-08-12
v We're examining. Max was ready

they We're examining. Max was ready
TO swear that their faces touched.
This was uncomfortable. His first i'm
pulse was to fly down stairs fling
Bysshe aside; his second was to hastily
pull out the drawers of his DRESSING
table until he found a revolver he had
bought as a lad With some heroic inten-
ton of defending the house from burg
lars. The pistol was unloaded but ball
and cartridge were there, II to charge
the barrels was merely the work of a
momen No sooner was this done,
than. acting on a sudden thought that
flled him with terror. he flung the re-
volver into the drawer, which he
locked, and hurried from the room.
on reaching the grounds where he
Edith or Bysshe, nor could they be
found on the terrace or in the park
where he sought them; for the simple
reason that they We're in the morning.
room with Lady Bysshe.
Before the family parted for the
might, Godfrey Bysshe babe them good
bye. saying he Should have to leave by
the first train in the morning. AT his
announcement Max could hardly re-
strain his satisfaction. The way would
now be clear for him to carry out the
desperate act on which he had resolved.
He rose early, and as he was dress
ings saw Edith where she had stood the
previous evening With Bysshe. Max
hurriedly finished his toilet, and un-
locking the drawer which held his re-
Nolver, put it in his breast pocket. A
couple of minutes later and he had
Joined Edith, who was feeding a crowd
of sparrows, robins and starlings tina
fled at his approach.
You are up early she said, with
a friendly glance.
Il couldn't rest all night. was
thinking about YOU"
Iay Il - AZ li~1 r-,, e,lJ ~ ii.
comprehension. Il think 1 must go in,"
h. remarked suddenly.
Not until l nav spoken to you-un-
TIL | have asked YOU
Don't, please don't ask me any
thing" she implored.
Il must he answered., his voice
hardening, Il can bear suspense no
longer. You know l love you that I
have always loved YOU since we were
boy and girl" he added. hoping his
reference to their youth WOULD touch
her: Viii YOU be my wife,"
deadly pale. oh. why did you not
spare me. and spare yourself this
pain?" she asked.
You ont love me-"
No; not as the woman should who
would be our wife"
Its because you love some one else"
he said in a voice choked with age
The angry glare in his eyes and the
swollen veins in his forehead frightened
her, but she strove to hide her terror.
and drawing herself up said, You for
get yourself
Ing her wrist and speaking with a
slow elaboration that emphasized his
ea~rnestness; Il love you and will do
everything | can do to make you happy
If you marry me. If you don't promise
to do that here and now, there Will
h 81 NJ ~ ~, -al-. -, t.-.- -
swear il, by"
You wish to brighten me into a
promise" She gasped.
Il mean what L say he answered.,
letting her see the revolver sticking
out OF his pocket.
She believed he meant to terrorize
her by a threat to take her life, but
sue would not crafty him by appearing
to finch.
You are a coward" she replied con-
t~emptuously Il don't care what you
call nae; / want your answer"
She looked swiftly around for as
s~istance, but not a soul in sight. She
now felt assured OF his tentio to
shoot her.
1T viii be done before help can come
to You; vii! you marry me-" he al
most shouted. now beside hilnself with
rage and despair.
VIII you marry meg" he asked
again, thrusting his face close to hers.
No, no." she said, believing the
words would be her last.
She had scarcely spoken them when
she saw him snatch the revolver from
his pocket, turn it against his breast
and fire. Then his arms We're flung
upward, he reeled, fell heavily on his
back and remained m%otionless. The
GREATNESS instant that followed seemed
long as eternity to her; she could not
cry out. but only gasp for breath, while
n yUhnIa HVvnrlI r~ ~~,,- t---
and she sank senseless beside him on
the ground.