Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-03-03

t.e niSnt OF the Tragedy anu Sdiciius
Mere not one and the same was surely
proved By The fact that Galbraith was
in Paris az the time, he having writer
from the French capital on that day TO
Olive Dumbarton. Even if Naierius
had been in the Hixton road, it did moi
follow that he had committed a nus-
der for which another man stood self
confessed.
Yet Quinton was haunted by the re-
semblance between Valerius and the
figure he had caught a glimpse of or
The night of the tragedy. In vain he
strove to. persuade himself that if II
We're Valerius he had seen on that
memorable occasion, he. Quinton, woulC
have recognized him then. or Identified
him later. for they had known each
other before the fatal deed took place
and had frequently met since then.
On The other hand, he had merely
seen the figure and not the face OF the
man he connected with David Dunn
barton's death, and 1t was the figure,
wearing the same coat, assuming the
same attitude. and standing in the
same place which led the young man
to believe II was the same individual
he had seen on both occasions. 1t was
only when he had drawn near and
looked into his face that he recognized
Valerius. Had suspicion been directed
to him previously. Quinton might have
seen some resemblance between him
and the other figure, but yalerius was
the last person in the world whom he
would have regarded with suspicion.
Quinton was puzzled, disturbed and
anxious. What if Valerius had not
been in Paris on the night of Dunn
barton's DEATH The conclusions to
which his idea led were fraught with
terrible consequences. In striving to
control his imagination by the exercise
of his reason, his mind became more
perplexed, and he could sleep no more.
He therefore rose early without feeling
rested o. refreshed, and ON coming
down to the breakfast room found his
father and mother each with IA morn
ing paper, in which was set forth in
sensational fashion the confession of
George Bostock, furnished with fuller
details THAI had been given in the
journals of the previous evening.
Let us see, mother Quinton said.
getting behind her chair and leaning
over her shoulder that he might read
for himself the statements made.
Presently Mrs. Quave, having fin
ished with the paper, handed IL to her
son, saying, How much we may be
deceived in people. | could never nave
believed Mr.. Bostock guilty il he had
not confessed"
Nor l." replied Quinton emphati-
cally.
There's no knowing what a man
may do in a moment OF passion" re-
marked the doctor, as he sat down to
the breakfast table and uncovered the
dish of bacon and eggs.
Poor, lear Mrs. Dumbarton should
feel intense relief" said Mrs. Quave.
That's the strangest part" answered
her husband. she is more distressed
han ever"
Why asked Quinton, who, having
not seen his father since the previous
afternoon. knew nothing of Olive Dunn
barton's opinions.
Because she believes Bostock made
this confession to save her"
what! Doesn't she think him.
guilty?" exclaimed Quinton, hastily
finginG down his paper and staring at
his father.
Nothing, not even the mans own
words, Will convince her that he killed
Dumbarton."
But on what grounds does she be-
lieve Bostock innocent?' inquired the
young man, who became deeply inter-
ested at this unexpected turn in the
case, the feeling of ~ulleasiness and the
sense of mystery which had filled him
on his meeting with Valerius the previ-
u night suddenly returning.
"She mas non that i know Of, at
least. save her belief in his character
she wishes &c make him a hero"
remarked MRS. Quave, a thrifty woma
and an excellent houSekeeper, who,
having no imagination, prided herself
on her ommon sense.
You saw her last night ?" Quinton
said, addressing his father.
Yes. On Bostock's confession being
made known TO her yesterday evening
she refused 10 believe in his guilt, and
received such a shock that she tainted,
when | was sent for; she was almost as
bad as on the night her husband was
killed
There must be somt--;ng in all
this" said Quinton thoughtfuily.
In all WHAT asked his mother
sharply.
In her refusal to believe Bostock
,guujlttyii.in her opinion hat he sacri-
Heed~hfttiseifs rs save her.e
That's merely one of her romantic
ideas" answered Mrs. Quave. NO one
would put his head In a halter to
oblige a woman
But you see, mother, he doesn't put
his head in a halter. He may be dead
by this time, and it cannot then matter
much TO him what people think"
But why should he confess if he
were not guilty.
ITO save the woman he loves. and
whose innocence he feared could not
be proved,
But" said Mrs. Quaye I'm protest.
you surely don't believe him innocent
simply because
II don't know what to believe" an
swered Quinton. but | can conceive
the possibility OF his innocence
II cannot" his mother remarked ar
ter a pause, unless, indeed"
Weir" said her husband impati-
entity.
Unless Mrs. Dumbarton really
knows who is guilty.
why, If she did, she would have
spoken long ago" exclaimed Quin-
ton.
I'm confident that She doesn't"
added the doctor.
Time viii tell" replied his wife as
with a sagacious nod of her head she
rose and left the table.
DIR. Quave took his morning yaper
once more III began to read. while his
son, with one elbow on the table. his
head resting on one hand, became abb
sorbed in thought.
The question he had been unable 10
settle satisfactorily now faced him once
more. Had he really made a mistake
In Identifying Valerius with the man
he had observed on the night of the
tragedy. or was his first impression.
on seeing the figure the previous even
ing. correct?
Continued Next Week.)