The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-10-20

Out lie may nave left some letter
some confession"
If SO it will be more merciful to IL
living and the dead that it should |
destroyed unread"
be1ore Max could reply, DIR. Hopkir
came INTO the room, a puzzled anxior
look on his face.
MY dear DOCTOR" Lady Bysshe sal,
advancing quickly to him and speakin
neAore ne mad time to express htmsel
thls is terribly sudden; and though
was only what might be expected fror
one who suffered SO severely from hi
to us ALL"
yes, yes" answered the doctor hes.
tatlngly, of course. But"
There can be no doubt that he die
from heart disease" she said, lookin
INTO MS eyes a~ppealingly.
1he doctor understood her. 1t who'll,
depended on him as to whether an in
quest be held or not; should it be Their
was a dead certainty that a verdict @
SUICIDE would be returned. Some caus
lof It might be sought; fresh inquire
might be instituted. Scandal must b,
spared the family. He bowed his heat
IN acquiescence.
Wnen he consulted me yesterday
ABOUT his heart, l had no idea the enc
was SO near" he remarked.
Fl was muc agitated lately"
mat, OF course, accelerated the
danger" DR.. Hopkins replied, and the
matter was considered settled.
throughout the morning Max was
busy With the inevitable preparations,
u Jast before lunch he received a
mess ge from Lady Bysshe asking him
TO join her in the morning room. where
she was receiving his cousin, Count
Sasarl. He had no remembrance OF
this relative, tut had heard Edith and
her aunt talk of him frequently on their
return from Pisa.
When he came into the room Sasari
shook hands with him coldly, while
Lady Bysshe explained thai he had
called to see the count, not knowing of
his sudden death. Now that Sasari
had come to the Hall, she begged he
would stay-until after the funeral, at
least.
hope you will" Max added, turning
10 ms cousin, whose appearance he liked
from h first glance.
1t was finally agreed that he should
telegraph to London for his bag, and
remain for some days. Then the con-
~Versation turned On the alchemist Zof-
fani and his wretched death. Full Of
pity, Lady Bysshe asked for the partic-
ulars Of the accident n deplored the
loss of SO skilful a doctor.
He was very remarkable in many
ways" Sasari remarked. mo man had
so great a knowledge of herbs and
Chemicals"
Did my father knowhim?" Max VEN
tured to inquire.
H had not seen your father for
many years." replied Sasari, after a
pause; mot since he consulted Zoffani
about his eyes and earned he could
never see again by day, but must be
satisfied at having his sight at night"
HRv ricbt 2' ranaotaj Nov IN ho
wilderment. What do you mean?"
rs it possible vol did not know your
father suffered from nyctatops, though
1t prevented him from seeing by day,
enabled him TO discern everything in
darkness?"
Max was too stunned to reply. Much
that had seemed puZZling before was
now explained; the mystery surround
ing the death of Richard COTE, and the
attempt N Godfrey was suddenly
cleared. Lady Bysshe began to trem-
Bile and. unable to hide her agitation,
rose abruptly, saying she must tell her
niece of the counts arrival.
When the two men were alone, Max
said: You came to see my father. Was
it to pay a friendly visit?"
1T was to see him on business that
concerned himself alone"
May / inquire"
Il think we will not speak about it;
let us forget it," Sasari replied. and
Max concluded he had better question
his cousin no further.
At the end of a few melancholy days
the remains of the count were buried
in q corner of the church yard at Bal
wash. and not placed beside those OF
his second wife in the vaults beneath
the church.
When the was over Max
went straight to his fathers rooms. 1t
was the first TIM he had visited them
since the scene in the corridor, and "a
feeling of horror seized on him as he
entered. With keys in hand, he I'M
locked every cabinet, drawer and desk
they contained, searching for what he
feared to find-a letter. a confession, q
farewell word. But nothing incrimin-
ating remained. and no light was
thrown on a dark past.
AS he finished his examination Ur-
bano, who for the last few days had
avoided him, came softly into the
room.
You will find nothing" he said in a
harsh, grating voice, THAT morning
there was a pile of ashes in he crate;
he had burned his letters and papers;
no discovery will be made"
Looking after him, Max saw he was
dressed for q journey.
II am leaving at once. I am going
.. ~ " L. W. m
planned.
us there any money owing to your
Nothing. Farewell"
AS he reached the door he turned his
livid face over his misshapen shoulder,
his eyes shining with their old watch
fulness.
rs there anything you would wish
TO tell me?' Max asked.
mo, except that the missing jewels
have lust been found by the housekeep-
er in the linen closet
'Found. Thank heavens!'
Irrbano gave him a farewell glance
and 6isa ppeared from his sight forever.
Then Max, locking the luxurious rooms,
whose atmosphere seemed weighted
with insupportable gloom, hurried
stairs to find that the Wallets words were
true. and that historic necklace n the
diamond bracelet were safe IN Lazy
Bysshe's possession.
THAT night as he n his cousin
| smoked after supper the latter asked
him If he had made any plans for ms
future.
IT have made no plans replied Max
,sadlv, II only know that l am going
away frora here tomorrow or next day
never more to return. I sha probably
work my way out to Australia or New
Zealand, and begin life afresh as a. Ia
borer; as / am strong and young care
say | shall not starve.' :,
won't you continue your studies as
a medical STUDENT"
II have no money for that. Oh. l,