Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-11-24

later, but what may you suffer mean
| while?"
Il will strive to grow strong and
carry this burden laid upon me for
some wise purpose inconceivable and
inexplicable to us, as courageously as
can"
"Ah, Olive" he said suddenly and We
hemently, as IL carried away by an ir-
| testible impulse. IF you had listened
to me long ago how much pain might
you and have been spared, how much
happiness might we have known?"
"Valerius." she exclaimed reproach-
fully.
Forgive me. 1 don't know what l
am saying tonight. did not mean to
blame you now, least of all when you
suffer most"
I'm sure not" she replied, ready to
pardon him because she was conscious
of the grief he felt and could not then
conceal, and because, moreover, she
| recognized that truth, perhaps lay In
his words a truth that was full of
bitterness to her.
Why had she not loved him and SO
escaped the storm and strife, the agony
and humiliation which had come to her
through the man whose love she had
accepted and whose life she had
shared? Why cannot we indeed, act
wisely and with foresight instead of
permitting our hearts to lead US blind
fold into paths beset with miseries
and fraught with dangers manifold?
You are always blind, always ready
to forgive, to make allowances" he said
with earnestness, his eyes turned to
hers pleadingly. And now, good night.
call I will see your solicitors and
Mackworth."
Very WE'LL" she answered absently.
you know / am your next of kin,
tie only near relative you have, and
must act for YOU
THANK you, yalerius. but there is
now little to be DONE" she replied, and
tinued, Mr.. Bostock has been very
kind, and has done all he possibly
could for me-"
II understand" valerius said after a
pause.
But of course 1T may be as we'll for
you to see Mr.. Coris and the detec-
tive"
what is his theory?"
That the death may be traced to
revenge. Do you think it is most prob
able?"
II consider 1T most likely. Heaven
only knows how many enemies such a
man may have made, how many men
may he have injured; how many wom-
en- he may have wronged. Having
Into some secret society, whose conf
dence he may have sold or betrayed.
There is no knowing how many he may
have inspired with desire for his
death.
AS Valerius spoke rapidly and ex-
citedly he turned his eyes away from
his nearer and it was only as he con-
cluded he glanced at her face and saw
the pain 1t expressed, pain caused by
his words.
Forgive me once more" he said
penitently.
He is dead, let us say nothing harsh
of him." she murmured.
yes, he is dead, but the misery he
caused in life has not died with him.
answered Valerius. bitterly.
Olive Dumbarton, sore at heart,
turned away.
You see," said Valerius following
her. II cannot control myself tonight,
but will leave you at once. God knows
have no desire to add to your vexa-
tions. Good night once more"
Good night" she replied, holding out
her hand.
AS he took it in his own a CULVER
passed through his frame. He turned
from her almost abruptly, but before
he reached the door Veronica entered
| and said:
Doctor Quave cannot come tonight,
mother"
Very we'll, DEAR
But Quinton is here" Veronica said
somewhat shyly, and says he would
like to see you, mother"
I'm the dining ROOM"
ASK him to come here. You re-
member Quinton Quave," Olive said to
her cousin as Veronica quilted the
room.
YES, very Well"
He has taken his degrees and gives
great promise of being very clever
doctor. He and his parents have been
most kind to me -since--that ter
rible night"
valerius remembered that DR.. Quaye
and his son were among the first who
had come upon the scene of the trag-
edy, and he felt interested in seeing the