The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-10-14
CHAPTER xxN11I.
POISON.

tied his morse TO the iron ran pTolec-
ting the surgery window, and was
standing with his back to the chimney
piece in the doctors stuffy little sit
ting room when the latter returned
from seeing his distinguished colleague,
as he termed him, into the train.
You see I have lost no time Max
began. Tell me what Sir William
really thinks"
HE agrees with me-" replied Doctor
Hopkins slowly. There is danger"
You told me there was danger" said
Max, with nervous Impotence. But
what is the danger?'
1--WE both agree in thinking" re-
sponded the medical man impressively.
as he fixed his eyes on his nearer, that
Miss Cowley is being poisoned"
Max sprang forward, alert, quivering.
his small eyes glaring, all the blood
gone from his face. "Poison-poison,"
he repeated in an undertone. "Oh, it's
impossible. There's some mistake" he
added, as If scouting the idea.
1T seems hardly credible but it's the
only conclusion we could come to-" the
doctor told him. IAN attempt to poi
son her has twice been made"
But think of it." pleaded Max: who
would harm her, who would kill her."
Doctor Hopkins was about to remind
him that by attempting to shoot him
self in her presence he had injured her
health; but he forebore referring to the
incident. now that Max showed such
feeling and horror
II can't tell you who it is that would
kill her" the doctor said, but what
l do know is this, that if anything
fatal happens to Miss Cowley, some one
will be hanged for it,
Good heavens! Don't let us talk
of such possibility. Something mus
be done. something can be done. hut
what it is. am unable 10 think at
present. Help me-tel me-"
Il wish l had moved her away from
the hall after the first attempt"
1T is a cursed place. replied Max.
vehemently. But cannot you send her
away now. It's not too late"
She will not be able to travel for
some days, and meanwhile"
mo. no. nothing will happen to her.
Max cried out to interrupt him. his face
still white with fear. Think of IT,
man, how terrible i, would be. But
something ought to be done at once.
The detectives? They are still hang
iils ABOUT the place.
"a,4d have not found out anything"
Il will consult my father"
Fright will only make him more
helpless still"
But l cannot keep this news to my
self; some one else must share the
responsibility. must suggest some ac-
ton. l will tell Lady Bysshe." Max
said clutching at an idea.
On reachin the hall he found that
Lady Bysshe was with Edith: but as he
could not rest or think coherently until
he had shared the news With her. he
sent a message asking her to see him
a moment in the morning room.
With some premonition of evil she
hurried down, when the sight of his
distracted expression, and the beads of
perspiration on his forehead, confirmed
her fears.
"Oh, Aunt Margaret he began. ad-
dressing her as was his habit before re-
cent events had bred coldncss between
them.
You have been down TO see Doc
tor Hopkins" she said, grasping at the
| truth.
II have, and he says-but l can't tell
| you: it's too terrible"
She began to tremble. He fears
the worst for Edith"
mo, no. We will save her. It's this
| and he told her all.
Petrified with establishment and hor-
| ror, she heard him in silence.
What is to be done?" she moaned
in despair.
Il suggested that Edith should be
moved from this accursed !.ouse. but
the doctor says she would not be able
| for that"
strength is terribly spent from he:
| fight with the last attack. slight as i
seemed. And to leave here might only
be to avoid her murderer for the pres.
! emit"
Let us telegraph for Godfrey" Ma,
| proposed.
II would, but that the great trial i,
which he is engaged begins tomorrow
1 know he would not hesitate-but
cannot ask him."
/ My father
AS he could not help us, it would b.
cruel to frighten him"
/ Max looked gloomily out of the win
dow facing him, whilst Lady Bysshe
with her back to the door. faced Ven
ettan mirror hanging on the opposit
wall. AS she inadvertently glanced a
this, she saw the door slowly open ant
Urbano step softly into the room. pause
and listen. his Scared face, If possible
more livid than ever, his cleaning
eyes fixed on her, his distorted figur
crouched as If endeavoring to concea
itself.
Lady Bysshe felt that thrill of lin
accountable terror Selling her, such a
some have experienced in the presenc
of an invisible and CHASTITY being. and
was only by an effort of will she wa
able to turn round and face him.
What do you want?" she aske
sternly.
IF you please my lady. rappe
three times" Urbano muttered
You were not heard. Why do 20
come here?"
His excellency. the count has bee
asking for his son." he answered, an
with furtive look he left the room.
Has he heard?" Max ask ed, startle
by what he had seen.
mo. was looking in the glass whe
he stole in, / know not what must b
done. What we know must be kept t
ourselves, and from this hour you an
l must keep watch"
Il will do anything you suggest Ac
ton will keep me from going mad"
My plan is this" Lady Bysshe sail
regaining once more her usually CON
posed manner. Il will myself pre-
pare every morsel of food and ever
drink that passes Edith's lips viii
you, hidden in the corridor will watc
her room throughout the night s
long as she is guarded in this wa
nothing can happen to her, and it
just possible you may discover II
fiend who would poison her.
You are right" Max replied. 81 wi
watch"
And mind, let no one know" 81
cautioned him.
mo one shall know from me. Al
now Will go and see what my faith
wants.
The count was seated in his ON
room, his pointed delicate fingers pa
sing lightly over the raised letters
a book, the pages of which he was rea,
ing aloud. He closed the volume
hearing Max enter and looking towaI
him, saying. Il hear my dear boy, tn
you have been down to Balwash."
Max admitted that he had.
feel sure that, like myself, "
feel the doctors may be hiding som
thing from us, and that Edith's ca
may be serious" he said, his nerve
Il anxiety visible in his face
had some idea Of the kind
= And you went down to see Ho
kins and got him to tell you the truth
the count suggested