The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-11-04
\ co.yrieht 1901 by
I. Fitzgerald Mallo,

"No fear OF that It's the best nov
YOU have written: George Bostock n
piled. looking at her with eyes tn;
spoke the secret of his heart.
"Pm delighted that you think s
S5-:I-siI,,t. ;,,,; which work alWa,
seems to me the best until it's finished
then, when read 1t over. l see no
completely 1t has failed to convey whi
intended, and am ready to feel VI
speakable gratitude to the critics
they will mercifully refrain from reno
ing me-"
Nov they unanimously praise you
the publisher said.
aTar more than I deserve: l am nc
uninindfui OF their gentleness.
"You have earned all their praise,
replied this CHEEKY friend.
""Tis more that receive 1t.
And they continued chatting OF lit
erature and It's votaries, unmindful be
cause unconscious OF the fate drawn
nigh them. until once more the servan
entered, this time with book and
letter which had arrived by the las
post. Looking at them. Mrs. Dunbar
ton saw they were directed in tn
handwriting of yalerius Galbraith.
George Roctock rose. He was strucl
by the pale and haggard appearance
of his hostess. which her animation
had until now concealed.
"Are you not well?" he inquired
anxicusly.l
'I have been somewhat upset"
He became suddenly grave. hest
tated, and then seeing Veronica hat
left the room, he, with the solicitud'
of a friend, said:
"Sureiy not by him."
Yes. He has returned. notwith
standing his promise"
Has he been here?" Bostock asked
enxiously, eagerly.
Not yet. but he may come any day
Can nothing be done?" he inquired
much distressed by what he heard.
II fear not. But the pain of this ex.
pectancy-the suspense"
II understand. Remember. IL l car
be of any service--you know"
Yes, 1 Know" she answered CRATE
fully.
With strong, firm grasp he held hei
hand in his. then left her without
further words. She stood watching the
door by which he had made his exit
as IL lost in thought, and then turned
absently to the table where lay the
unopened letter and book.
AT that moment Veronica entered.
See what Valerus says, mother
the girl said. handing her mother the
envelope.
Mrs. Dumbarton listlessly absently
obeyed.
E leaves Paris tonight for Brindisi," she
replied. And now. dear child to bed
that YOU may get your beauty sleep"
Shall l close the window before
go. dariing?"
mo. feel the night warm; perhaps
it's because I'm fever!sh."
You mustn't stay up late, mother;
remember what Doctor Quave said
the girl replied and having kissed her
mother lovingly. she quilted the room.
Left alone, Mrs. Dumbarton seated
herself in cosy chair. and opened
the book Valerius had sent, one of
Francois Copee's. an author whom her
cousin knew she admired. CHANGING
casually at the first page she soon be-
came interested in its contents, SO
that time quickly passed unptrceived
by her, for in following the thoughts
of others, she escaped from her own.
Veronica had been an hour in the
happy land Of childhoods dreams, and
the Cook had retired to bed. so that
none were downstairs save Olive Dunn
barton and her maid. the latter await
ing the summons of Ter mistress. Sud
denly, as the girl dozed over weekly
periodical. she was rudely startled into
Wakefuiness by sounds as OF the shift
Ing and crashing of furniture, and i'm
mediately after came cry of bitter
pail SUCH as iHlRHt De drawn from
woman by some cruel blow. TO which
in turn succeeded hoarse shout, as
from man In his extremity imp!oring
mercy and demanding help.
certified by terror. the girl stood i'm
movable with strained senses for a
second. then acting on impulse. she
rushed to the study and flung wide
the door. In the center of the room q
man lay upon his back mOtionless his
eyes wide open and fixed. terror on his
CHASTITY face. his jaws clinched, while
bending above him. almost as rigid as
he and as terrible to behold. stood Mrs
Dumbarton. a knife In one hand, her
dress torn and blood smeared. her de-
meahor wild. With horrible scream
the girl rushed from the room. quilted
the house, and ran into the roadway
@ minute later and Veronica
wrapped in dressing gown. her hair
about her shoulders. her feet bare, her
limbs trembling. hurried into tt. study
an expression of fright and bewilder-
ment. In her scarcely opened eyes. and
paused. frozen with terror. on the
Threshold. Her lips refused to cry
terror lent her strength. and entering
I she bent above the PROSTATE notion
less figure. and gazed upon the cruel
and evil face
Father, she said in shuddering
whisper.
Then she looked upon her mother
whose countenance was as that of a
marble mask-a mask cunningly carved
to express despair and delirium, agony
and fear, and lighted by the eyes OF
fame: looked upon the knife ciutched
In the thin, nervous white hand, and
upon the blood -smeared gown. wher
with a piteous and tender cry-the CRY
l0f one wounded beyond healing, The
ichild flung her arms around that dumb
tragic figure. exclaiming:
oh, mother. mother, what have yor
tdone ~
4 AT that moment the servant hurried
tly reentered the room, followed by 6
policeman.
pointed to her mistress. Look, sh,
has murdered him!.
3 Az the policeman advanced, DIV,
= Dumbarton shivered and drew back
4 tottgred, and witha piteous groan fel
lsenseiess beside the dead.
CHAPTER III
On seeing the figure OF ma,
iatretched stark upon the floor. hi
breast stained with blood, the police
IMAM. unheeding al else. knelt besid
q lhim TO ascertain II life were quite ex
,ttnct. Having satisfied himself upol
this point, he looked up and asked:
n Who is he r..
Her husband the maid replied Il
,n high. wild voice. g.
Accustomed IS he was TO TRACED.
land acquainted with crime. the ma
Hooked aghast. for here was a, dee
more piteous and more dark than /,
mad vet encountered. Before he eoul
lask stirt Their questions, sounds weI
TIA }ateard of footsteps and m1rmurs Z
ssi voices OF those whom the servant
scIasssI 9I murder and the policeman
n <r<at