The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-03-03
CnAPrER MIN

the evening when, overcome by jcal-
u fury, he had insinuated that her
love for George Bostock Was rcspon-
Sioie For her husbands murder. Va
lrrius had walked about tho ncighhor-
hood needless of where he vent so long
as he avoided crowds and traffic. his
mind in a state OF fierce rebellion
nsainst the woman whose presence he
lad Quilted. against the man for whom,
sac had confessed her love.
All llte affection Nale,ius had felt
Tor hcr throughout his life urned To
bitterness at the avowal she had made:
the DISLIKE ne had ever entertained
toward BGstock d%eepened to hate. For
the publisher had succeeded in gain
Tag what I've, Nalerius. had from boy
mood sought in vain to Win. That she
Had denied 10 him VAS freely given to
one, who. by comparison. MAS a
stranger
With 4 r-alid pace he tiavcHsci
winding roads and long avenues now
almost deserted, dead leaves from the
rapidly barring branches fiuitc,ing in
his face. the sharp ring of his foot
steps on The frosty paths audible at
inrG distances, his thoughts in wild
disorder. his face distorted by passion.
his feelings outraged. jealousy singing
him To madness.
Not until a couple OF hours had
passed did he. without becoming on
scious OF the fact, slaclzen his pace
through sheer WEAKNESS. and his emo
tiDns having meanwhile reached their
highest pitch of fury. nov began to
'ubsidc. Then he reflected on the part
he had recently played. his thoughts
'oining to The subject casually and
t'ittingly at first. afterward with
+te;tdN persistency that was all the
more welcome, because it served to
fh!1irt ~, t-.. c.--.
acute than he had vet felt.
Tho insolence, the bitterness. the cru
city OF his words stood out before him
n their true Colors. and he reviewed
aud realized the cowardice. The inhu-
~'"anity. the injustice Of his bearing
,n"ard her ne had ever loved, whom
NJ toved .1oW more than ever. And as
~ Ntwed his conduct in this light.
his contempt and loathing for himself
We're only equalled by his compassion
nsd affection for her.
To strike her down with such a
weapon as he had used. at such a time
as he had sought. was to have behaved
~ a deSpicab!e s%coundrel. as an UNI
manly wretch. What words OF his
Gould now take from her the pain he
had inflicted. which must rankle in
der mind and poison her peace for
many q Gay to come What deed
u mas could make PREPARATION for tho
wrongs he a done her. He paused
N his walk II leaned against a wall
for support, dazed n weary. all in
l'snation and hate having burned
themselves out of his heart, which was
AoW fun of remo:se and pity.
And for long he remained there lost
n thought. the past with all the pleas
ures he had known In his association
With her. ~thronging back from forgot
ten years: the future with all its UNI
certainty, humiliation. pain and terror.
Using before him.
A sudden chill from the bitter night
air striking him. brought him To a
Consciousness OF the present. One
thing at least he resolved must be done
Without delay; he would seek the
"onan he had grievously insulted. as
sure her his words We're not the out
ONE OF conviction but the result of
passion. n beg of her to forgive him
The pain lie lad caused her. With this
Intention he set forward, but the road
IN which he found himself was un-
amiiiar. and having with some trou-
Die discovered its name, he knew not
n what direction it led. or to where
ia should turn in search of his dcstin-
,tion.
Resolutely he set out looking round
or some familiar landmark until
'Nentually coming in sight of a church,
'e recognized his bearings and made
straight for the Hixton road. Through
'ut his walk his determination to seek
owe Dumbarton's pardon never way
red until coming in sight of her house,
when the lateness of the hour and its
i~nsuttability for a visit struck him.
HE looked at his watch and saw that
mat he went to the garden gate, and
gushing 1t, found as he expected, that
y vas locked. He then stepped across
10 the other side Of the road, that he
might see the ppe windows of the
housc whith We're all in darkness.
with mingling feelings of relief and
regret he saw that the moment of the
meeting must be p%ostponed: but he
was in no hurry to quit the spot.
fatigue from his long walk. WEAKNESS
from the conflict of his thoughts. and
he reaction Of his excitement set in
upon him, and he rested there against
The wall which faced the house, sat-
istied TO wait until chance should send
an his way a passing cab that would
lrivc him home.
And rs he fingered there, his thoughts
suli of Olive Dumbarton. the chill
which follows on inaction after eXer-
use struck him again. the more read
lily that he was clad in evening dress,
~hereupon he wrapped the heavy folds |
OF ms Inverness cape around his chest
and throat. Then feeling more COM
Portable. he fell into a rever:e from
which he WAS eventually aroused by a
hand being pressed upon his right arm,
when, recovering himself with a start,
ne SaHcd at the man before him. and
recognized the anxious, frightened face
of Quinton Quave.
1t happened on this particular even
ing that the young medical man. hav-
ing been dining with some friends in
kensinSton. had remained in their
pleasant company until late when
natchlng his last train he had arrived
5oon after midnight at Marlborough
Road station, from which he walked
home.
Now the principal topic of CONVERSE
ton at dinner had been the Hixon road
tragedy and the startling confession of
George Rostock, which the late edi-
tons of the afternoon papers had pub
itshed so that the subject in whic he
was deeply interested was fresh in
Quinton's mind as he took his home
ward way. With bent head he reflected
that the man whom he had seer from
his bedroom window on the night of
the tragedy was the same whose dying
confession had been made but a few
hours before: though, when seen again
at the same hour and place, Quinton
leaning against the wall. Quinton in
stantly stood still as if he had received
u shock, for there before him in the
same spot wearing the self same cloak
concealing the lower part of his face