The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-11-10

mothers innocence, for the girl, having
Implicit faith in the veracity of one
she so tenderly loved n honored,
concluded the world u needs hold
her guiltless once she asserted her
blamelessness and explained her posi-
ton.
when you left last night" Mrs.
Dumbarton said, turning toward the
publisher, who sat at a little distance,
his ray 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, kept the lower window
open. All within was perfectly silent;
no sound came from without, and the
peace seemed restful to my senses"
Poor mother" Veronica said, striv-
ing to keep back her tears.
Tho book interested me and felt
no inclination to sleep" Mrs. Dunbar
slight shudder passed through her
frame, as If some distressing sight pre-
scented itself to her vision.
How long did o continue to read
George Bostock asked.
Probably for d couple of hours after
you left. l know l was suddenly startled
by hearing the garden gate flung Vlo-
lently pack and sounds of footsteps
rushing toward the house, but before
| could realize what had happened, a
figure darted through the open window
and stood within the room--a mans
figure, whose actions were frantic, as
If he were stricken with madness, or
mad desperate from pain. At this
sight screamed then. paralyZed from
terror, l remained speechless and mo-
tionless.
"Bewildered and frightened, l had
not yet recognized him, but as | fixed
my eyes upon his terrified face, l saw
that the man before me was my hus-
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
he seconds that passed I seemed TO
live through ages Of agony. AS he
did not move l drew nearer to him.
fascinated. fearful, expectant, until.
overcoming my terror and the sense of
repulsion that filed me, I stood beside
him. when for the first time saw
saw a knife had been thrust into his
breast.
LAS yet there was no sign of blood.
no f~oreWarning of death; my sense Of
dread was underlined. The sight of his
white. haggard and distorted face. APP
pealed to me through all, and had but
one thought, to save him from danger.
when, acting on. impulse. I 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 if stricken
anew. Unable to grasp what had hap
pened | bent over him, to see his eyes
grow CLASSY n his face become livid.
Then | know he was dead"
Neither Of her hearers interrupted
her. Veronica had woun 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 1 was
but dimly conscious" Olive Dumbarton
AS one sees a figure in a
dream l saw my maid rush into the
room and as suddenly disappear, Their
came Veronica, and finally The servan
returned with a policeman. AT sight
OF him a fresh sense of horror and
heavy fo%reboding OF i'll fell upon my
senses, and I remember no more"
Mother. dearest" Veronica said
soothingly.
George Bostock mad 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 a
entertained on her behalf. and filed
him with dark forebodings. Though
the ftful sunshine Of his September
day no longer streamed into the room,
the blinds remained drawn, and now,
In the dim light and breathless silence,
the boudoir had something in It's op-
pressive atmosphere that savored Of
a death chamber.
Did you see no one else-no second
figure pursuing him?" George Bostock
asked.
mo"
And he mentioned no name-spoke
no word that would lead you 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
hopeiess?' 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
drew a quick, sharp breath, and a look
OF terror came into her eyes.
I have no doubt" George Bostock
said, with the object Of cheering her,
that he truth regarding this unhappy
affair Will come out-that Is, that the
truth OF your innocence will be proved"
GOO grant that 1t may be-" she cried.
but cannot fail to see that my dan
ger Is great"
You are not guilty" he answered
deeply moved by her words and tha
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 that
his thoughts might not be guessed from
the expression Of his face.
do you think It Is impossible ?" she
asked surprised by his movements.
NO, no" he said hurriedly, and then
auded after a moments pause, II feel
sure-quite sure, your blamelessness
VIII be proved sooner or later. And
now | Will go and see Coris & Son. n
they take up the case you may rely on
1t they will see o safely out of your
trouble" ~"
How a I thank p" she said.
Dont-don't speak of that" he re-
plied, his voice full of emotion, as he
bent above the hand she gave him.
When he had quilted the room the
sense or fear. depression and lonelinasa
she mao felt since morning deepened,
Motner-mother!" Veronica whis-
pered' appalled, at seeing her sit with
out word or motion as she stare into
space 'N'"
Olive Dumbarton started from her
reverie. "'i
For your sake, dearest, l will, he
strong she replied as she raised her
eyes TO the girls fear stricken face.
Continued Next Weekly
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