The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-12-23
HAPPIER XIV

On hurricdly quitting the house with
the intention of pursuing. If necessary
this unknown intruder Nalerius en-
countered a woman's figure, standing
still and passive in the pathway
| figure plainly diStinguishable from the
! surrounding darkness because of the
| strong light still streaming from the
/ window.
who are you?" he asked breathless-
| ~ and abruptly. disappointed at finding
| 1t was not man with whom he had
| to deal.
My name is not known to you" came
the answer. spoken in a voice whose
careful meditation and deep music
struck him even then.
What do you want? ," he asked. his
anger at her presence unsubdued.
TO see her-Mrs. Dumbarton." came
the calm reply
Nalelius hesitated as to what his next
question should be. her words surprs-
Ing him, all kinds of ideas rising in
his mind.
For what purpose he demanded.
Il have something to say which She
may be glad 10 hear"
Concerning the-'
Concerning the MURDER" she said
completing the sentence he had hest
tated to finish
YOU"
Il. Take me to her"
Even still he seemed to hesitate his
eyes fixed on the face whose features
he was unable TO discern. the agitation
he had felt from the instant he had
seen her through the glass yet master
ing him. suddenly he wheeled around
in the pathway, saying:
Come with me-.
Without further words she followed
him up the steps. through the hail. and
into the room where Olive Dumbarton
her face still White from anxiety. her
eyes brilliant from excitement her
limbs trembling.
AS the stranger entered with slow
and firm tread, composed and grace
full nien, the two women gazed al
each other intently, eagerly, scrutin-
izingly.
Something there was in the appear
ance of this unknown woman which,
apart from the circumstances of her
visit. arrested the attention of the three
individuals, who now mutely gazed at
her. That she was foreign was evil
dent from her olive complexion. the
biue-biack hue of her thick hair the
dark color of her eyes with their heavy,
sweeping brows. Her figure was short
and rather stout. but certain meas
ured statelinesS in her movements gave
1t that grace which is usually asso-
ciated with height. Her age seemed
not more than I'VE and twenty.
In her dress there was something
fantastic and shabby, the colors incin-
ing to gayety, the cut to fashion. The
little headdress which did duty for a
bonnet was perched with a certain
daintiness amid the billowy masses Of
her hair; her gloves We're frayed at the
finger tips, and round her throat was
a necklace a red coral.
At her entrance she had made a
movement which might be considered a
courtesy, which the mistress of the
house returned by a bow, and then
stood waiting, her arm laid for support
upon the high back of her chair from
which she had just risen.
She wishes to see YOU" Nalerius
said, breaking the silence.
About" Olive Dumbarton be-
gan. her pale lips parted in expecta-
| ton.
About your husband" the stranger
remarked.
Olive DumbartOn sank into q chair
scarcely knowing what revelations were
| about to be made to her, fearing that
her humiliations We're now to be added
| to, scarcely hoping that the darkness
surrounding her might be lifted.
Then her eyes fell on Veronica, who
was staring at the visitor with all her
might.
Veronica, leave me a little while,
| dear" she said gently.
The girl rose and quilted the room.
Olive Dumbarton pointed to chair