The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-03-24

hte HlXtOn road tragedy. Without
much difficulty Mack worth had learned
of Galbraith's absence from his hotel
on that date, and armed with this fact
had fastened to London, resolving
further to trace the movements of the
man who it now seemed possible was
connected with David Dumbarton's
death. With morning Mackworth found
his labors unnecessary. Nalerius had
escaped, leaving a letter which
acknowledged his deed
When in due time a jury had re-
turned a verdict declaring Nalerius
Galbraith guilty of the death of David
Dumbarton, the innocence alike OF
| Olive and George Bostock was estab-
lished. That the latter had confessed
to a murder of which he had not been
guilty was set down by the press and
received by the public as a consequence
of the delirium from which he had suf-
| fered, self accusation being Il not UNI
/ common occurrence with those whose
minds We're temporarily deranged by
drink, fever or accidents
AS time passed, George Bostock' s
consciousness, at first faint and fitting,
gradually strengthened and retained its
| hold for longer periods and five days
after the last operation he was en-
abled to answer questions. His re-
| plies. which We're always in mOno-
syllable seemed delivered with reluc-
|
not to tax his mind by addressing in
| quiries, or enlighten him regarding
what had happened until his brain re-
gained more of it's former strength
But whenever his eyes met those OF
Headwick, who visited him daily, il
was noticed their expression was one
of anxiety, which sometimes increased
to terror Yet he asked no questions
and he made no statements
Again and again, Headwck had felt
prompted to tell him of Galbrath's
confession, but that he feared to dis
obey orders. But when one afternoon
while seated beside the patient, the
latter suddenly asked:
How is she?"
Headwick, knowing TO whom he re-
ferred, assured him she was well. A
| look of cOntentment that relieved its
WEAKNESS passed across Bostocks face
Then his friend. bending over HIM
said in low voice:
I'VE know now that you made a mis-.
take, that you never killed Dunbar
tom
Bostock looked at the speaker fixed.
ly, anxiously, wonderingly, but made
no reply.
You understand what l say" Head
wick asked.
Yes, but why do you think l wa:
mistaken" he whispered.
Because the man who was guilt.
has confessed and given proof of hi:
crime"
The eyes of the sick man became 81
brilliant, his white face so excited, tina
HeadWick began to fear the conSe
quences of his action.
THE man who was guilty-then he
innocence is proved?'
Beyond all doubt and yours, too"
who was it ~
"Valerius Galbrath."
George Bostock closed his eyes, hi
mind could bear no more, and con
seriousness forSoOk him. Throughout
the remainder of the day and the fol
lowing night his symptoms We're fever
ish, but next morning he was calmel
and his friend not being there he Gag
erly asked the nurse for particular
regarding Valerius Galbraith's confes
sion. And they being given him h.
J remained silent and thoughtful, pom
! dering over what he had heard, dwell
ing on the mystery which had sur
rounded the tragedy, of the part he hat
felt prompted to take when believing
himself dying and on the speculation
which had perpleXed him on recognize
ing that he was destined to recover.
That she had been proved blame
less had been his first, and was nov
his predominant thought; that h
likewise was shown to be guiltless file
him with infinite relief, for in the dis
lance he fOresaw prospect Of happi
ness which might crown his life. AN
5 when, presently Headwick entered car
l rying flowers whose color brightene
2 and whose odor perfumed the ward. h
was surprised to see how we'll hi
! friend appeared.
E How thoughtful of you, how kind,
/, Bostock said.
l The thought and kindness are no
: mine" replied Headwick, but Mrs
: Dumbarton's. Almost every evening
: l have, at her request, been to see he
$ that might report your progress. To
3 day she has sent you these
y Bostock, who was sitting propped u
. by pillows in bed took the flowers, an
While apparently smelling them, raise
t them to his lips. his haggard face be
r coming Illuminated by inwa. I'd joy.
1 You will tell her how grateful
am, he said, longing to say more, bu
Y contenting himself with the idea tina
she would understand his feelings, an
e hoping he soon might be able to eX
$ press them to her in person.
r But this was not to happen as 500
g as he expected. One WHO had travele
a SO far into the valley of shadow doe
t not readily retrace his steps to per
feet health, and though the longin
: for life which came upon him, togethe
!, with the prospect of what it nigh
7 bring. aided his strength, 1t was fou
d months from the date of his acciden
n before he was permitted to leave tn
$ hospital. e.
o So soon as she was able to leave he
I rooms she was ordered to the Riviers
+ there to remain until winter ha
), passed, so that when George Bostoc
had left the hospital in February sh
d was still abroad and had by that tim
II almost recovered her strength.
7 Concluded Next Weekly