The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-08-24
CHAPTER xxx.

ELrred the tree tops nnd whispered
through the copse; the flowers, broken
down, crushed and bleeding as 1t were,
sent forth their sweetest odors; the birds
SANG joyously, and the leavcs looked al
most as green as in early summer.
There was sunlight everywhere; pour
Ing down upon all that CHANGED to be
out this bright, lovely autumn morn,
peeping through creyices, and trying to
force its way through hernetically drawn
blinds, as IL to reproach the sluggard
for missing such q beautiful sight. And
1t fell, too, upon the bald head Of an old
man. who, with convulsed features, and
unsteady footsteps, essayed TO cross the
lawn to the front door of the great house.
He reaches the porch at last, pulls
both the bells violently, and knocks with
all his force Mt the door, awaking the
household, and filing the yawning foot
man with dire dismay.
Mr.. Royston hears the unwopted com
motion, and rings for his valet, to know
what it means. Meanwhile, they have
opened the door, and the old gardener
gasps out, '"The summer house! The
summer housed" then falls down in q fit.
There is a great rush thither, after the
man has been carried into the hall, and
not one speaks, but they stand round
the women weeping, the men turning
away their heads.
Presently came Mr.. Royston, and he
had forgotten everything but that his
dark favorite lay there, stiff and cold,
with all her young life fed forever: had
taken her in his arms, and was sobbing
over her so, that, seeing that old man
weep, every one Joined in IL; and, for a
moment, there was naught to be heard
but the requiem of sobs md gentle words,
that We're being sung over her by gentle
and simple, aged and young.
&C.," he says, ~sternly, TO the house
keeper, "and prevent Miss May from
coming herer" He is too late; here she
is, with face as white as the gown she
il wearing.
what is 1t, uncle2 n she asks huskily.
IL have been into Miss Duncombe's room
and ner bed has not been slept in; where
can she be? Oh, uncle, what Is itT'
Hush, dear! Miss Duncombe-"
here he breaks down again into sobs, and
presses the lifeless face to his breast.
'Oh. May, look here!'
"Uncie!" she sobs; and, for o moment,
she cannot see for the tears that are
pouring down her cheeks. my pretty
Maggie-my darling!' and she takes her
from the old man, and kisses the clay
cold lips. Speak to me, my darling
only one little ~word-speak to me! Run
for a doctor, somebody-quick! My dar-
ling" she continues, lovingly, ito think
that you should be out in the cold storm
and rain, when l was In my warn bed!
Oh, speak to me, Maggie!"
They raise her gently, with the respect
due to the dead, but with the wonder and
admiration rarely paid even TO the liv-
ing. Then, behind her, what a sight
meets their gaze! 1t unnerves them all
again, and causes them to benz forward
with u wondering SILVER.
What can this mean?" said Mr.. Roy
ston, in a low, awe-struck voice. How
came she here?-and who Is this poor
ragged wretch"
They raise him, too, and look at the
thin, convulscd face, set in the agony of
violent death, one side of his face and
body blackened and sccrched; and speak
quickly and lowly, in wondering appre-
hepslon.
what mystery is this?' exclaims Mr..
Royston; "and who can solve it?'
At this moment the doctor arrives, and
begins to make an examination. Even
he Is very serious, and looks with great
surprise at the appearance Of the two
the man in tattered garments, he woman
in silk, and lace, and pearls, and dia-
monds.
The doctor kneels down for a moment
before Mrs. Downing and May, who are
holding the insensible form in their arms;
then he whispers TO Mr.. Royston, and
the servnnt are all sent back to the
house.
"well, doctor, what is 1t? Can you
make anything OF itY'
"Yes," he replies; Il can throw some
light on the subject, by the merest acct
dent in the world-that is, as far as one
OF the unfortunate people Is concerned.
But, first, to examine that poor fellow
there. Ali as / thought! Both dead.
Tie same fash killing both. She must
have been standing either by his side, or
in front OF him, for he is scorched terri
bly,; but she''--and he opens the cloak a
little as he speaks-"look herer'
There Is only a small brown mark on
the white dress, just over the heart, and
d corresponding one on the cloak. They
gaze upon the ominous spot In silence;
then the doctor speaks again.
Now" he says, '.the first thing to do
is to remove the body OF the lady, at all
events, and l must consider what to do
about the man.
SO the servants are called once more,
and they bear her reverently to the
house, and lay her upon the bed: then
the doctor goes down to the library.
Now, doctor, for your COWS; and pray
heaven we may solve this terrible eng
ma. to avoid shame and scandal
sWell. sir. I was called In early this
morning to a disreputable fellow, called