Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-23
CHAPTER x. (continued.)

( 3NsASsAe Vac NSAaliS- 1DOLA OlduS ulu nan
die were covered with blood; there
was 40 shadow of doubt on the subject
Thea suddenly there flashed across
his mind the possibility that perhaps
name might be engraved on the
handle. Instantly he was searching for
that name.
Not namebut initials!" he
gaaped.
Eagerly his eyes deciphered those
initials.
IL. he mentally exclaimed, turn
ing Geld to the finger tips. go, e.
stauds fer Guy Erskine! Heavens. it
cant bes 1t can't be! He can't have
played the scoundrel to such a hideous
degree. But these initials are his!
Perhaps this is the reason why he is so
changed and VOWS he will never mar
~! And hangs about the house like
man who is brooding over some dark
Z unnerving secret? But it can't be
that one of the best fellows who ever
lived has turned murderer! Yet, why
has ne changed SO suddenly and great
~? have asked myself that question
d0xebs OF times since came down
here the other day. The whole thing
Is mystery, a CHASTITY mystery! But
I'm deucedly glad didn rush off with
II to the police. If l had, - But
thank Heaven. didn't. Thank Heaven
II was mercifuIly saved from acting as
my brothers denouncer. But it can't
he the case. It's absolute madness on
my part to suspect Guy There are
other men In the world whose initials
are g. g. For instance, Ellingham's
Christian name is George. But he
has other. Christian names.
However. 1t is clear as daylight
what 1 ought to do, and that is go
straight to Guy and show him this pen.
knife. No need for me to ask him
whose It is; shall see the fact written
on his face II it Is his, or not. If it
Is his--I pray that it is not---I shall
know 1t only too soon. Them But
Audrey How can + act with regard to
her? What a fool I am to let my
THOUGHTS rush on like this. It's a spe-
cies OF Insanity to invent ones own
misery, and that is what am doing
now. Its q good thing it has ceased
20 snow can get home in half the
time that 1t would take me If it had
continued. In an hours time when
.Guy and have talked the matter over.
4 expect that shall feel mad with
myself for ever having suspected him.
! don't believe do suspect him really.
Hang 1t all, can't diagnose nv feel
ihgs, and there's no necessity that i
should The only thing that need is
TO get home with all possible SPEED
Already he had gone some distance.
Half an hour more and he strobe up
the steps Of Arlington Towers.
Guy was at home, sitting in the
library. and in the briefest of time
Reggie was standing opposite to him
in his .snow-covered clothes.
Hasloa! Back again! And what's
up? exclaimed Guy. IN surprised
voice. 3.
We were caught In the snowstorm.
Audrey and ! was the immediate re-
ply.
-.oh. 50 YOU went skating with
bel?
l5s.''Ye s.a
sSs' nd Guy waited for a moment,
then continued more quickly. s.you
may as well tell me what has happen
ed to make you look SO desperately i'll.
Yelling mo Will halve the bitterness of
Y. Has she shesaid 'no?'.o8
Do you refer TO Audrey??'
es. s. III
We are engaged.
Engaged That is the best news
have heard for ages You have
chosen excellently, and wish you all
the happiness ina ginable.5 AS you
have been accepted, why in the name
Of goodness do you look SO glum, old
man n Guy laughed as he asked that
q very simple reason, replied
Reggie, trying TO speak in a matterof-
fact voice. Some thing has happened
tappened 10 some one else.
hat is not an uncommon occur
renee. There's not;a man in the world
who would not be glad to cut a few
experiences out Of his life. and a few
years. too, In many cases, and hand
them over bodily to someone else. But.
after all !. II 10 the dark shadows in our
lives that show up the brightness Of
the bright side NY ill-luck will benz
at yop and audrey In the end, and I'm
heartily clad that it is SO. Z IS 4
Bat SIS nothing about the family
thatss Worrying me. IT, a piece OF I'LL
iqlks that has happened to me with re-
eArd "a finding sonnet thing iii connec-
tion with the murder IN the wood. Oh.
sh1-thetbye you served on the Jury at
4! tsl Inquest We're YOU not the fore,
nan &
B q es NE 4
Sany brought out d cigar and gazed
Infant 8 as 4 ~ e.
were walking through the
sqod Observed Reggie. proceeding
tiouaiy as ne studied Gays des
sinking heart, sand 4
Denesd III drop my skates and
(,at sIong u short old man and
d s1e hat oa found mt how you
q 81 tllls shat. found said reg