Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-11-11

mothers innocence Tor the BiIA, hdFins
implicit faith In h yeracity OF one
she so tenderly loved and honored
concluded the world must needs hold
her guiltless once she asserted her
blamelessness and explained her posi-
ton.
aWhe you left last night" Mrs
Dumbarton said, turning toward the
publisher. who sat at a little distance
his grave, anxious face expressing In
terest and sympathy. Il took up the
book which had arrived By the late
post and began TO read. Feeling hot
and feverish, I kept the lower window
open. All within was perfectly silent:
no sound came from without. and the
peace seemed restful to M senses.
poor mother" Veronica said. striv-
ing TO keep back her tears.
The book interested me and relt
no inclination to sleep" Mrs. Dunbar
ton continued. and then paused while a
slight shudder passed through her
frame, as If some distressing sight pre-
sented itself to her vision.
How long did you continue TO readY'
George Bostock asked.
Probably for a couple of hours after
you left. / 4 know / was suddenly startled
by hearing the garden gate flung yio-
iently back and sounds of footsteps
rushing toward the house, but before
| could realize what had happened. a
figure darted through the ape window
and stood within the mans
figure. whose actions were m as
II he were stricken with madness, or
made desperate from pain. At this
sight l screamed then, paralyzed from
terror, l remained ~speechless and mo-
tioniess.
'tBewildered and frightened. I had
not yet recognized him, but as | fixed
my eyes upon his terrified face, l saw
that the man before me was my nus
band. Scarcely had l understood this
when he came staggering toward me
for help and mercy on his lips. All
! for help an dmercy on his lips. All
life seemed frozen within me, and In
the seconds that passed ! seemed to
live through ages of agony. AS he
did not move / drew nearer TO him,
fascinated, fearful, expectant, until,
overcoming my terror n the sense or
repulslon that filed me-, / stood beside
him. when for the first time l saw
saw a knife had been thrust into his
breast.
"As yet there was no sign of blood.
no forewarning Of death: my sense of
dread was underlined. The sight Of his
white, haggard and distorted face. APP
pealed to me through all, and l had but
one thought, to save him from danger,
when, acting on impulse, ! stretched
out my hand and drew the knife from
his breast. AS l did, blood gushed from
the wound upon my hands, upon my
dress, and he moaned as IL stricken
anew. Unable to grasp what had hap
pened bent over him, to see his eyes
grow CLASSY and his face become livid.
Then | know he was dead"
Neither OF her hearers interrupted
her. Veronica had wound one arm
round her mothers waist by way Of
rendering support, and now, as she
ceased, the girl fondly kissed her.
"Of what happened afterward / was
but dimly conscious Olive Dumbarton
continued. "As one sees a figure in a
dream | saw my maid rush into the
room and as suddenly disappear, then
came Veronica, and finally the servan
returned with a policeman. AT sight
of him a fresh sense of horror and
heavy f~oreboding of i'll fell upon my
senses, and I remember no more"
Mother, dearest" Veronica said
s~oothingly.
George Bostock made no immediate
attempt to speak, but remained leaning
back in his chair, a thoughtful troubled
look upon his face, for her story had
taken him from such hope as he had
entertained on her behalf. and filed
him with dark f~orebodings. Though
the fitful sunshine of this September
A%@I AAO 0AAnOA 9&A ia HI AAlC A0OAlg
the blinds remained drawn. and now,
In the dim light and breathless silence,
the boudoir a something In it's OPP
presSive atmosphere that saYored OF
q death chamber.
did you see no one else-no second
figure pursuing him 2" George Bostock
asked {.
mo"
And he mentioned no name-spoke
no word that would lead yen TO know
or suspect why he had been muir
dered?".
THE only words he spoke were those
in which he asked for help and mercy"
You are sure nothing has escaped
your memory"
Nothing. You think my case seems
hopeless" she said, reading his
thoughts.
Before his answere came the sounds
In the corridor outside, which had for
some time ceased, now began again.
on hearing them, Olive Dumbarton
7urew a quick, sharp breath, and a look
OF terror came into her eyes.
II rave no doubt" George Bostock
said, with the object of cheering her.
that the truth regarding this unhappy
AFFAIR viii come out-that Is. that the
truth of your innocence will be proved,
God grant that 1t may be-" she cried.
b | cannot fail TO see that my dam
ger is great
You are not guilty" he
deeply moved by her words and the
pain with which they were uttered.
surely that can be proved"
only by discovering VINO is," she
replied promptly.
He rose hastily and turned away hat
his thoughts might not be guessed from
the expression Of his face.
DO you think 1t Is impossible 70 she
asked surprised by his movements.
NO, no. he said hurriedly. and then
added after a moments pause. II feel
sure, your blamelessness
VIII be proved sooner or later. And
now | will go and see Coris q Son. II
they take up the case you may fely on
II they VIII see you safely out or your
trouble
How a l thank your" she said.
"Don't--don't speak OF that he re-
piled, his voice full of emotion, as he
bert above the hand she gave him.
When he had Quilted the room. the
sense OF fear, depression and loneliness
she had felt since morning deepened.
.Mother-motheri" Veronica whis-
pered, appalled, at seeing her sit With
out word or motion as She stared into
space.
Olive Dumbarton started from her
reverie.
For -FOUR sake. dearest. / viii be-
strong" h replied as she raised her
eyes TO the girls fear stricken face.
tSontsnued Next Week.