The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-02-17

there were no news .riers In 81. Johns
Wood. and that The cNruing editions
of papers We're SLOW To arrive ut tina,
suburb, he believed the account would
not Yet have reached his cousin: but
q he saw likewise he Mad no time to
spare If he would first convey the lid
ings of George lSostock'S confession.
ON reaching the house he MAS told
Mrs. Dumbarlon WAS at dinner, when,
Without standing on ceremony he en-
tered the dining room.
It's Nnlerius," exclaimed Veronica.
Who faced the door.
olive Dumbarton rose, AND with
"utstretched hand Went towards him.
aging
We have almost finished, u If you
will dine here the dishes can be
brought back"
No thanks" he answered. Il didn't
come to dine. but-but to tell you
something" And he glanced at the
servant
His cousin noticed the restraint HI
! sought to exercise over his excitement.
and her thoughts reverted to the dread
tragedy from which they We're seldom
absent. But she made no reply until
the maid had left the room, when Olive
i~)utnDarton turned to him eNpectantly,
pale from her fear of tina unknown
event OF which lie had come to tell.
And now he WAS before her he
scarcely knew how to begin. until sud-
denly he plunged into his subject say
ing:
Il suppose you have not heard of
Bostock lately?"
Il have not seen nor heard from him
for some days" she replied, somewhat
surprised by his question.
fou were not likely to have seen
him: he has met with an accident OF
which l didn't like to tell you before.
lest 1t might add to your Worries"
"Nothin serious, l hope?' she said
| quickly.
He noticed the sudden anxiety which
came INTO her face. and that her hands
trembled and ~resenting this betrayal
of her concern. he said roughly:
SERIOUS enough: a kick from a
facture of the Skull
oh. how TERRIBLE" Veronica ex-
claimed pitifully.
Olive Dumbarton said nothing. but
the sudden pallor of her face and he
pressure of her hand above the region
OF her heart told what she felt.
He was taken To the hospital. and
Why did yon not tell NEWLY did
you not tell me before" olive DUN
barton cried ont rep.oachfully.
He words but served To initiate Va
leriuS. who asked.
What could you do"
II would have gone to him." she am
swered bravely.
YOU"
Why not. He was the best friend
! had In the world: and now he NAV
be dying" she said, her eyes full! of
tears.
Fl is dying" valerius replied in a
| hard Nnicp In which hi. ci,~,. -,
apparent.
DYING" she whispered.
Without any feeling of compassion
he say the appealing look in her eyes.
the twitehing of her white lips.
Dying" she murmured again, eager
that he should unsay the word.
HIS anger and jealousy rose at sight
of her pain. and losing all control over
himself. he cried out:
md there Is nothing in that you
need regret. for knowing he was dy-
Ing. he has indicated your innocence"
She looked at him With questioning
eyes. her mind not Understanding the
drift of his words.
What do you mean" she asked in
a low, tremulous voice.
That having but a few hours to
live, he confessed to numbering your
husband" Nalcrius hluntly exclaimed
with a vindictiveness OF which he was
-.
George Bostock?"
Yes
A flush of color came to her face. a
look of energy to her eyes, as she
rose and said:
lit is falSe-it is false"
1T is true" answered Nalerius. His
confession was taken down by George
Coris. and signed by Witnesses. You
may read an account of it here" And
he produced the newspaper.
1T is not that; no matter what he
has confessed he has never committed
the crime
You have his own wordz-his OATH"
Nalerius replied, his excitement in
creasing.
But don't you see. cannot you UNI
derstand?" she exclaimed, a look of
tenderness upon her worn face. an ex-
preston of pride In her luminous ewes.
He has done this TO save me from my
fate. But | will not accept his sacri-
flee; living or dead his memory shall
be cleared from this crime"
Olive are YOU mad?'
No. no., l am sane enough to see
what he has done has merely been for
my sake. He is Innocent"
The world will believe his own word
his sworn testimony"
Then it shall be my duty to prove
his innocence"
Nalerius already pale with excite
ment rose up and in u burst of anger
shouted:
You love him-you love him"
She raised her head and her calm
eyes met the furious gaze of the man
before her, as she answered SLOWLY.
and with something Of defiance in her
voice:
Il love him"
Nalerius laughed mockingly, and then
almost shouted:
~ ~
askA VI
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