Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-11-03
cssyrish. 1901 By
I. Fit.ssr>Id M>iIey

mo fear OF that. It's the best novel
you have written" George Bostock re-
piled, looking at her with eyes that
spoke the secret of his heart.
I'm delighted that you think so.
The last book at which work always
seems to me the best until it's finished;
then, when read 1t over. see how
completely 1t has failed to convey what
I intended, and am ready to feel un-
speakable gratitude to the critics II
they will mercifully refrain from rend-
Ing e:,I me" 49,, ,r.,.o vo,, {.
the publisher said.
Far more than deserve; am not
unmindful of their gentleness"
you have earned all their praise,
replied this CHEEKY friend.
"'Tis more that I receive It,"
And they continued chatting Of lit
erature and it's votaries, unmindful be-
cause unconscious of the fate drawing
nigh them. until once more the servant
entered, this time with book and q
letter which had arrived by the last
post. Looking at them, Mrs. Dunbar
ton saw they were directed In the
handwriting Of Valerius Galbraith.
by the pale and haggard appearance
Of his hostess. which her animation
had until now concealed.
"Are you not well?" he inquired
anxiously.
II have been somewhat upset"
He became suddenly grave, hesi-
tateu, and then seeing Veronica had
left the room, he, with the solicltude
Of friend, said:
Surely not by him?"
Yves. He has returned, notwith-
standing his promise"
HAS he been here?" Bostock asked
anXiously, eagerly. =.
mot yet but he may come any day."
"Can nothing be done?" he inquired,
much distressed by what he heard.
Il fear not. But the pain of this ex-
pectancy-the suspense"
II understand. Remember, If l can
be of any service-you know"
Eyes, I KNOW" she answered CRATE
fully.
With a strong, firm grasp he held her
hand in his. then left her without
further words. She stood watching the
door by which he had made his exit,
as If lost In thought, and then turned
absently to the table where lay the
unopened letter and book.
At that moment Veronica entered.
See what Valerius says. mother.
the girl said, handing her mother the
envelope.
Mrs. Dumbarton listlessly absently
obeyed.
only a few words. stating that he
leaves Paris tonight for Brindisi," she
replied. "And now, dear child to bed,
that you may get your beauty sleep"
Shall close the window before I
go, darling?"
mo. l feel the night warm; perhaps
it's because I'm feversh."
You mustn't stay up late, mothers;
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 a cosy chair, and opened
Francois Copee's, an author whom her
cousin knew she admired. Glancing
casually at the first page she soon be-
came interested In its contents, SO
that time quickly passed unperceived
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 her mistress. Sud-
denly. as the girl dozed over a weekly
periodical, she was rudely startled into
wakefulness by sounds as of the shift
ing and crashing of furniture, and i'm
mediately after came cry Of bitter
pain. such as might be drawn from a
woman by some cruel blow. TO which
in turn succeeded hoarse shout, as
from a man in his extremity imp!oring
mercy and demanding help.
Fortified 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 a
man lay upon his back motionless, his