The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-08-11

they were examining. Max was ready
10 swear that their faces touched.
This was uncomfortable. His first i'm
pulse was to fly down stairs and fling
Bysshe aside; his second was to hastily
pull put tbs 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 ulloaded but ball
and cartridge were there, and to charge
the barrels was merely the work of g.
moment. No sooner was this done.
than. acting on n sudden thought that
filled him with terror, he flung the re-
Volyer into the drawer. which he
locked, and hurried from the room.
On reaching the grounds where he
had seen them, there was no trace Of
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 were in the morning
room with Lady Bysshe.
Before the family parted for the
night, Godfrey Bysshe babe them good
bye, saying ne 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
ing saw Edith where she had stood the
previous evening with Bysshe. Max
hUrriediy finished his toilet, and un-
locking the drawer which held his re-
~vSiTer, 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 that
fed at his approach.
You are up early" she said, with
a friendly glance
Il couldn't rest all night. was
thinking about you"
Her glance at him was full OF quickz
comprehension. Il think l must go in, n
she remarked suddenly. V
Not until I have spoken 10 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 pear suspense no
longer. You know l love you, that y
have always loved you since we were
boy and girl" he added, hoping this
reference TO their youth would touch
her. VIII you be my wife?"
Her face flushed and then turned
deadly pale. oh, why did you not
spare me, and spare yourself this
pain?" she asked.
You don't love me-"
No; not as the woman should who.
would be your Wife
It's because you love some one else"
he said IN a voice choked with rage. Z
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
earnestness; Il love you n Will do
everything l can do to make you happy
II you marry me. II you don't promise
to do hat here and now, there VIII
be another tragedy in your house. r
swear it, by
You wish to brighten me into a
promise she gasped.
4 mean what l say he answered,
letting her see the revolver sticking
ont OF his pocket.
She believed he meant to terrorlze
her by a threat to take her life, but
she would not crafty him by appearing
TO finch.
You are a coward" she replied con-
temptuously I don't care what you
call me; | wan your
She looked swiftly around for as
~slstance, but not a soul in sight. She
now felt assured OF his intention to
shoot her.
1T viii be one before help can come
to you: VIII Q marry me?" he al
most shouted, now beside himself with
rage and despair.
VIII you marry me?" 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
MS pocket, turn 1t against his breast
and fire. Then his arms were flung
upward. he reeled, fell heavily on his
back and remained motionless. The
GREATNESS instant that followed seemed
long as eternity to her; she could NOT
cry out, but only gasp for breath, while
the whole world swun around her,
and h sank senseless beside him on
he ground.