Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-02
to protect being whose hands were
twice stained with blood?

twice stained with blood?
And the viewing Of the body? Could
he ever forget the mute appeal for
vengeance written on the face OF this
child-loving woman as she lay sleeping
the sleep of death? Was it not the
work of every man worthy of his man
hood to see that cruelty to helpless,
weak women was avenged? Oh, was
ever man So sorely tried, SO sorely
rent by contending influences, as he,
Guy Erskine?
But If he denounced the murderer,
Hilda-
At last the inquest was nearly over:
Filing out to consider their verdict
were the jurymen.
There's not much need to worry our
heads about what to say" said one
man, tailor, anxious to get back to
his shop and customers. Murder by
some one unknown is the only verdict
we have got to return" Saying the
last words he glanced around, hoping
to hear his views corroborated.
What do you think, SIR asked an
other man, James Howell, turning to
Guy.
mI-I-haven't really yet decided"
was the answer, hesitatingly spoken.
But do not see what other verdict
can be returned. She was certainly
murdered"
"And no one knows who by" put in
the tailor.
"Quite So" concurred Guy. Then,
with supreme effort to appear his
usual self, he added, Are we agreed,
them"
I'm not feeling over satisfied re-
marked an old man, looking straight
at Guy. "I-'
what are you not satisfied about"
asked a chorus of voices.
There's summat behind it ALL" was
the answer.
"Of course there isl" said the tailor,
sharply, land the person who is be-
hind it is the murderer. The police'll
do their duty, and all we have to do
is give the only verdict that's posi-
ble."
"Just sol" Guy concurred again,
turning toward the door. eve are all
agreed, them" he added, interroga-
lively.
yes! yes!" came in a chorus.
Even the old man chimed in.
Walking as firmly as he could, Guy
re-entered the room.
Eyes we are agreed" he said, in a
hard, mechanical voice, in answer to
the usual question. "Our verdict is
Murder by some one unknown. .
H5 forced his lips to frame the
words that doomed him forever in his
own eyes as a lying hypocrite.
Now the inquest was over, and the
coroner was hurrying off to the station
to catch his train to Dainton.
TITS been a bit tryin' to you, SIR
said one of the jurymen very respect
fully to Guy as the latter passed out
through the crowded room.
YES" was the brief reply.
Little did any one present suspect
how unspeakably relieved he was to
escape from the notice of his fellow
men. Once in the road in turned his
back on the village and strobe quickly
in the opposite direction. For him to
avoid passing Carlton Park it would be
necessary for him to make a detour
of three miles, and he asked himself
why he should do this. Why not seek
an immediate interview with the man
who had wrought all this misery? tell
him to his face that he was one of the
blacklist villains on earth, and that
the only reason why he, Guy Ersl1ine,
Of hitherto unsullied honor, was
screening him was for Hilda's sake
alone? 1t was only right that the Grim
inal should smart under cutting re
proaches. Could less inadequate
punishment be imagined for his cruel
murders than to be villifed to his
face?
Never did man tingle with greater
desire to inf1ict mental anguish than
Guy, as he walked up the carriage
drive of Carlton Park
is Sir George at homer he in
CURED. ~
Eyes, sir; he's met with a severe
accident. He fell down and injured his
ankle very badly last night, replied
the footman.
sit is nothing very serious, I hope?'
TO Be Continued.)