Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-07-15


/, You believe me in~nocent2' he said,
locking fer answer into her limpid gray
eyes, now full OF melancholy.
"Oh, you know ! do" she answered,
as IL ~reproaching him for asking such
d question. Some unfortunate circum-
stances have made them suspect you.
because they don't know YOU: but l
am sure you will oon be cleared when
the police have found the real MUIR
derer.'
The last word struck him as a blade
thrust Into his flesh, and he could not
resist the cold shudder that crawled
down his back.
But IL they never do?" he STAN
mered.
They are sure to; but even II they
never did ii would make no difference
to my belief. I should always
A huskiness in her throat prevented
her from ending her sentence; tears
hung upon her eyeiashes.
MY dear young friend" the Gun
said In his gentle voice, az at that I'M
slant he was led into the rom by his
faithful valet, Il am overwhelmed; 1
don't know what to say; only believe
me, we shall do everything in our
power L prove your Innocence"
How can / thank your" Dunstan
asked as he took the hands the blind
man extended to him, and pressed them
In his gratitude. You are all 50 kind
to me-
lit will only be our duty TO you a
our friend, as our guest, as n whom
we feel Is deeply wronged," h count
told him, in tones that expressed his
sincere grief.
And we shall discover the real
criminal" Edith said hopefully.
As she spoke Dunstan felt himself
forced to- look at Urbano, whose scared
and htdeous face was turned towards
him, whose inscrutable eyes were fixed
on him as IL they would penetrate his
soul. The Wallets glance struck him as
having something in IL Of the fascina-
ton and venom OF the serpent, and
Under its continued glare he felt his
blood turn cold.
II have decided Lady Rysshe an
nounced, Ito ask Geoffery Bysshe to
undertake your defense"
Dunstan knew that the lawyer she
named was one OF the cleverest and
most rising men at the bar.
"Oh, hank you a thousand times.
he said. But do you think he Is likely
to take up my case?"
II am sure he will IL / ask him.. He
is my husbands nephew, and has often
spoken OF his gratitude for such kind
ness as | was able to show him when
he was a lad"
There is no man at the bar in whom
/ could feel such confidence" Dunstan
told her.
I am glad. / will telegraph him to-
tomorrow"
And / will go with you %auntie."
Edith announced.
you shall, my dear" Lady Bysshe
answered, beaming on her; for knowing
the complex nature Of a woman's heart,
she began to hope that Dunstan's posi-
ton had awakened IN the girl that love
which she had refused him while he
was free from misfortune.
1T Is In times like these I feel my
helplessness, said the count plaintively.
'Ah, how ! wish l could be of some
20 you"
AT that instant the door again open
and Dunstan looked toward 1t, ex-
TO see Max, who OF late q
avoided him in a there was no
stalking. But instead OF the counts
SON, a policeman entered to say the
carriage which was TO take the prisoner
to the cnunty jail was ready.
Very sorry my lady said the In
spector, who until now had stood aside,
but we must 60"
Again she conquered her feelings, and
without hesitation. but In a voice she
could scarcely keep from breaking, re-
Piled.
Very we'll, very well. l will come
to Lewes n see you, Dunstan.
whenever / am ~allowed.1 Keep up your
courage and good bye for the present"
which she kissed his cheeks that
were deadly cold.
Edith's face quivered as she pressed
his hands: the count bid him an affec-
good bye. and without further
words he left them.
AS he reached the door he saw that
valet had stationed himself beside !
Il, and that his eyes retained the IN
p~enetrabie look, the fixed stare which
had already frozen him.
In another second, while his friends
stood In silence, they heard the roll OF
the carriage wheels that We're taking
him to the county Jail. where he was
10 remain until the trial. on which his
lie or death depended. Only then Lady
gave way to her long sup
pressed feelings. and sinking into a
chair. she cried bitterly.
But next day she had recovered her
usual serenity, her resolnte cheerful
ness and activity. as with Edith she
the gray. stone-paved courts
Of the Temple In search of her nephew's
Sne eventually IOuHd tHem
la a shadowy corner OF Fig Tree Court.
WAS soon seated In an outer Office
10 see Geoffery Bysshe. A.
more and she was shaking
hands with this tall and rather thin
representative OF the law, whom she
had not seen for some years, a fact
which she r~eproached him.
~ feel. sure / have lost a great deal
by not accepting your kind invitations