Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-11-04

/ ~ ~ ~ AH -.
The glove was, however, placed with
the articles found upon Dayid Dunn
barton, and before the world or Lon
don was yet astir, Inspector Mack
worth was on his way TO make IN
quiries concerning the deceased at the
address, copied from the envelope
found upon his person.
CHAPTER Nv.
After being with some difficulty re-
stored to consciousness, Mrs. Dunn
barton had, with the aid OF an opiate,
fallen into a profound sleep, from
which she did not wake until midday.
Opening her eyes, she stared vacaniy
before her as If striving to collect her
thoughts in some way understanding
that a heavy misfortune had fallen on
her, while being yet unable TO realize
Its character or fathom It's extent. An
unbroken silence hung over the house,
ominous in its stiffness, and weighted
with gloom, while the sun shone
through the drawn blinds 1oyousiy,
searchingly, m~ockingly. as light that
penetrates the darkened chamber OF
death.
Moving her head she saw Veronica
seated beside her. pale from fright,
haggard with grief n her eyes meet
ing those OF the girls, the shape n
color of the latter In a fash brought TO
l. thI III . AAtAAih fA< y 49,
wild, fixed and CLASSY, into which she
had looked the previous night: when
the recollection of that tragic scene In
which she had played so terrible a part,
rose wildly before her with all its
CHASTITY horror in the present, with all
it's threatening terrors in the future.
On meeting her glance, Veronica,
with a wild and broken cry, had flung
herself on her knees and buried her
head in the pillow. Olive mba
understood, and a fresh and poinant
grief darted through her heart. Then
bracing herself, she, In a weak and
trembling voice, said:
Observation-Disclosures"
The only answer she received was a
smothered sob. which shook the girls
frame.
Veronica" her mother said, yet more
gently and with infinite pathos in her
tones, II am innocent"
A seconds breathless silence en-
sued, then the girl, who never yet had
cause to doubt her mothers word, lift
ed her head, an expression OF wonder
ment, infinite relief, and e~cstatic joy
upon her u%pturned face, her lips parted,
her whole existence seemingly sus-
pended as she heard n realized that
her mother was free from guilt, her
soul unstained by bloodshed, that the
woeful penalty of this crime could not
fall upon her, that their hearts would
not be ~estranged or broken by grief,
or their lives divided, or their name
become blackened and made hateful
before the world.
A burden that seemed unbearable
was suddenly lifted from the girls life,
the darkness which had brooded over
her oul was dispelled, her whole be-
Ing, relaxed from torture and fear,
now vibrated with gratitude and de-
light.
1T was not /. my child: you under
stand, ] am innocent" Mrs. Dumbarton
murmured.
Mother" Veronica exclaimed, fling
ing her arms in a transport of joy and
gratitude that was not without re-
morse, around her mothers neck, while
h kissed her pityingly. tenderly, low
ingly.
Henceforth, whatever impression APP
p~earances might produce upon Others,
whatever conclusions they might draw
from evidence, would have no influence
upon her; she would believe her
mothers word against all the world.
And oh, dearest, can you forgive
me?" she said with bitter self-re-
proach. How could I ave thought it
You saw. What else could you
think? But now
Even as Mrs. Dumbarton spoke she
drew a deep breath, all color Quilted
her cheeks, and her eyes closed. The
excitement had been too much for her
strength; consciousness again deserted
her. Veronica bathed her mothers
temples with sal volatile, lifted her to
a sitting position, and chafed her hands
until presently she opened her eyes and
family smiled upon her daughter.
Now, mother dear, Tor talk, and IL
YOU can help 1t don't even think. while
| go and order them to prepare some
breakfast"
You believe me, Veronica? 2"
Mother" the girl said, infinite trust
and tenderest love expressed In that
one word.
Thank Cod" olive Dumbarton muir
INJURED.
Veronica kissed her again and again
before quitting the room, as IL in this
manner she would convey the faith and
affection which words failed her to ex-
press.
To refrain from thinking was an ut
ter impossibilty to that stricken
pain. As she lay there In the silence
and gloom, heartsick and despairing,
the story OF her life rose in black ont
lines against the lurid tragedy which
had crowned and intensified all her sor-
rows.
An only child. worshipped by her
niother-her sole surviving parent-and
caressed by her friends, she had en-
tered society when she should have
been In the school ROOM. And In ,h,s
world with which she hac Iorged to
mix, all things were bright in her young
sight, she not seeing Ii as a stage where
man and woman meet masked; where
tragedy wears smiles and sadness sing
loud, lest its grief be disclosed: where
the voice of truth sounds strange.
where glare and excitement hide folly
and pretense; where human lives are
bought and sold for pay and place, and
souls caught in the whirl of passions
descend TO swift damnation.
Followed m admired. praised and
| courted, as she was, society was to her
a land OF enchantment and before her
second season ended che had wholly
given her heart to a young lieutenant
OF Lancers, but five years older than
herself. handsome. daring. a skilled polo
player. faultless I'm his dress. winning
In his speech. popular among women
hailed as a good fellow among men.
(Continued Next Weekly
Clyde Fitch. after q long stay in
Switzerland. has returned to his coun-
try o at North Coscob, Conn. He