The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-08-24
NJ a 6 G / e 5 H e a r t

said the worthy doctor, "that the clue 20
the story Is to be got at there. and my
view is strengthened because / now re-
mernber hearing of a mailman roaming
about the village, Boosting of his knowi-
edge Of the inmates OF the Hail."
I'VE must send for this Atkins and his
wife"
They look out Of the window, in the
direction OF tn. lodge, and see Mr.. Gwilt,
the steward, in hot haste making his
way to the front Of the house.
rs this terrible report true, sirr' be
asks huskily, as he enters. They are
saying in the village that one of the
young ladies' has been killed by light
ming
Il am sorry to say 1t is true, Mr..
Gwilt." answers the doctor, in a low
tone; land there is a mystery in the ar
fair that nj be cleared up"
"A mystery" he queries; and then
they tell him OF the discovery, and he
is shocked and amazed. poor girl" he
murmnrs: so young and beautiful, and
her wedding day so near! Had we not
better see these people at the lodgeT"
Thanks, Gwilt; IL you will do SO I
shall be grateful" said MI. Royston.
OF course, the news has reached them,
and they have already decided upon their
plan.
What's to be doneT' says Atkins;
deny 1t all, or make a clean breast OF
it?'
"It's no use denying It," replies his
wife; 1.-THE secret Is not ours; II viii leak
ont in the village in a few hours and
then all will be discovered. There Is no
help for IL; while we hold the secret,
we must confess all, and make the best
terms we can"
So when Gwilt comes down they make
ready to go.
They are soon ushered into Mr.. Roy
ston's presence, and the three seat them
selves to listen to the TO the
questions. He opens the conversation.
after the husband and wife had bowed
and been pointed to seats, ny saying, az
wish to know II you knew anything of a
poor mad fellow who has been about the
village lately?'
Mrs. Atkins replies, 1--WE do. my lord.
He was placed In our charge. but unfor-
tunately escaped from the cellar before
we could have him removed to an asy-
lum.%
who placed him In your charge, Mrs.
Atkinsy-
She looks at her husband, and then at
each face in turn, and there Is a breath
less silence, broken only by the ticking
of the clock on the mantelpiece; and
then, when the tension is beginning to be
very painful, she says, lowly but clearly,
Miss Duncombe."
Now, Mrs. Atkins, just tell US where
you knew Miss Duncombe first, ami what
you can Of her history"
In a m~onotonous, fc.e,d vice, the
woman speaks, the hfads W wing kower
and lower, as link af err link is added 10
the chain, and evidt nee after evidence
Is pieced together by the three shrewd
men. as she continues her story.
She has finished at last, and the Old
man asks her one question; but Mt il she
fushes red, fences, and prevaricates, and
he asks it again.
Come" ne persists. 1--WE must hav,
truthful answer TO this question; it Is
very simple-say Yes or No."
"YoI wish to know" she begins.
uneasily.
This: Have you any reason to believe
that this man was her husband, or do
you think 1t was a delusion on his partT'
II believe he was her lawful husband"
she replies; for George Temples suppo
ed death had never been known to this
woman.
At these words there is a low moan
from Mr.. Royston, who is evidently bear
ING this strain Of torture with a great
effort.
And how did you know thisT' asks
Mr.. Gwilt. "What led you to form such
an opinion?"
She is not quite lost to shame, and so
she looks down as she replies, II learnt
it from a letter that l picked up. address
ed to Miss Duncombe. when I was at
Mrs. Cholmondely's, of Eaton Square"
And that vas what was told In the
library.