The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-07-14


You believe me innocent?" he said,
looking for answer into her limpid gray
eyes, now full of melancholy.
"Oh, you know 1 do" she answered,
as II re~proaching him for asking such
a question. Som unfortunate clrcum-
stances have made them suspect you,
because they don't know you; but I
am sure you will Don be cleared when
the police have found the real muir
derer."
The last word struck him as a blade
thrust Into his flesh. and he could not
resist the cold shudder that crawled
down his back.
'But If they never do?" he stam-
mered.
They are sure to; but even If they
never did 1t would make no difference
to my belief. 1 should always"
A huskiness in her throat prevented
her from ending her sentence; tears
hung upon her eyelashes.
My dear young friend" the count
said In his gentle voice, as at that in
slant he was led into the rom by his
faithful valet, Il am overwhelmed: I
don't know what to say; only believe
me, we snail do everything in our
power to prove our innocence"
How can I thank your" Dunstan
asked as he took the hands the blind
man extended to him, and pressed them
in his gratitude. You are all 50 kind
to me-"
1T will only be our duty to you as
our friend, as u guest, as II whom
we feel Is deeply wronged," the count
told him, in tones that expressed his
sincere grief.
And we shall discover the real
criminal" Edith said hopefully.
AS she spoke Dunstan felt himself
r,rN 30 1~~Jr ~ ~I~~~ ,-l~- -.l
and# hideous face was turned towards
him, whose inscrutable eyes were fixed
on him as if they would penetrate his
soul. The Wallets glance struck him as
having something in it Of the fascina-
ton n venom of the serpent, and
under its continued glare he felt his
blood turn cold.
Il have decided" Lady Bysshe an
nounced, ito ask Geoffery Bysshe to
undertake your defense"
Dunstan knew that the lawyer she
named was one CT the Cleverest and
most rising men at the par.
"Oh, thank o a thousand times"
ne said. But do you think he is likely
to take up my case?'
Il am sure he will If 1 ask him. He
is my husbands nephew, and has often
spoken of his gratitude for such kind
ness as I was able to show him when
he Vas a lad"
There is no man at the bar in whom
/ could feel such confidence" Dunstan
told her.
II am glad. I will telegraph him to-
day, saying that I shall be with him
tomorrow"
And I will go with you %auntie,"
Edith announced.
You shall, my dear" Lady Bysshe
answered, beaming on her; for knowing
the complex nature of a woman's heart,
she began to hope that Dunstan's posi-
ton had awakened in the girl that love
which she had refused him While he
was free from misfortune.
TT is in times like these T feel my
helplessness," said the count plaintively.
"Ah. how I wish I could be OF some
service to you"
At that instant the door again OPEN
ed, and Dunstan looked toward 1t, ex-
pecting to see Max, who of late had
avoided him in a manner there was no
mistaking. But instead Of the counts
son, a policeman entered to say the
carriage which was to take the prisoner
to the county jail was ready.
Very sorry my lady" said the in
spector. who until now had stood aside,
but we must 60"
Again she conquered her feelings, and
without hesitation, but in a voice she
could scarcely keep from breaking. re-
piled:
Very well, very we'll. I will come
over to Lewes and see you. Dunstan,
whenever I am allowed. Keep w your
courage and good bye for the present."
Saying which she kissed his cheeks that
were deadly cold.
Edith's face quivered as she pressed
his hands; the count bid him an affec-
tlonate good bye, and without further
words he left them.
AS he reached the door he saw that
the valet had stationed himself beside
1t, and that his eyes retained the in
penetrable look. the fixed stare which
had already frozen him.
In another second, while his friends
stood in, silence, they heard the roll of
the carriage wheels that were taking
him to the county Jail, where he was
to remain until the trial. on which his
life or death depended. Only then Lady
Bysshe gave way to her long sup
pressed feelings, and sinking into a |
chair. she cried bitterly.
But mex day she nae recovered her
usual serenity, her r%esolute cheerful
ness n activity, as with Edith she
the gray, stone-paved courts
Of the Temple in search Of her nephew's
chambers. She eventually found them |
in a shadowy corner of Fig Tree Court,
and was soon seated in an outer office
waiting to see Geoffery Bysshe. A
more and she was shaking
hands with his tall and rather thin
Of the law, whom she
had not seen for some years, a fact
with which she reproached him,
Il feel sure l have lost a great deal
by not accepting YOU kind invitations"