Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-02-24


since her recovery. and prepared to
meet him.
4 have heard of Mr.. Bostock's dam
ger" she said fevesishly. How is he:
ave YOU heard any more since
Since his confession ?" the Inspector
SAID. supplying the word she found il
d~ificult to employ. mo. madam. /
nave heard nothing since
Is there no hope?'
Il fear not
h sat down and pointed TO a chair
near her. which he took. and then,
when she had cleared the tears from
her eyes and braced herself, she began
in a nervous. agitated manner:
There has been a great ~mistake-of
that l am sure"
How" Mackworth asked. his mobile
face assuming an air of surprise.
I'm Mr.. Bostock confessing to a crime
OF which he was V guilty"
Not guilty?" exclaimed the inspec-
tor. still more amazed.
am certain he Is innocent she
replied hurriedly.
But what proof have you, MADAME
Il have no absolute proof"
Mackworth looked at her eager,
flushed face, with It's earnest, pitiful
expression.
Il have none" she repeated. aware OF
the little impression she made upon
him, and desperately anxious he should
believe in her. But L. feel confident
he, who Is one of the kindest, the most
honorable of men. would never commit
such a crime. Knowing his life is
drawing 10 an end, he has made this
confession to save me. That is all.
He is innocent"
Then" asked Mackworth. as his
eyes met hers in a steady, searching
stare. IF he Is innocent, who is
guilty."
She read the thought which flashed
across his mind, the thought which
scared and made her tremble.
Il n say" she replied hurricdly,
but l know he is is not
May ] ask you, madam, how you
know ~
MY heart tells me, my woulan's in
sight me he is not" she an
swered, realizing how impotent was
her argument.
such things win hardly weigh
against his w confession"
She saw the force OF his words and
knowing she had no weapon to combat
IL, her misery increased the while lie
watched her silently, new suggestions
arising in his mind.
Present she burst:
Why not continue your inVestiga-
tions as if he had never made this con
fession?"
Because his confession has justified
and brought my Investigations TO an
end
Il don't understand she answered,
fear chilling her blood.
Because, madam. ! have suspected
and been watching him for some time
Mackworth said.
Suspected him-impossible!" she
cried out
Il assure you X is true"
"On what grounds ?"
Those which l thought sufficient
cannot now enter into details" he re-
piled, anxious to spare her feelings by
withholding from her the motive which
he considered led Bostock 10 the
crime.
I'm not believe him grilty-TI not
believe it, she said, the more earnest
ly and determinedly because aware Of
her hopelessness to make Mavkworth
share her convictions.
The most improbably things hap
pen, madam, and i'm nothing are we
more likely 10 be deceived than in the
characters of our friends" said Mack
worth.
Experience had shown her but an
hour before how true were his words,
but she would not credit them with re-
gard to him for whom they We're
meant.
Il am sure that one day you will find
you are wrong" she said, her anxiety
visible in her eyes. But is there moth
ing that can be done ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ing tina will disproye his statements 2"
.tNaAhinu - ancprarnd ATonEnrnrfh &c
he rose to leave. Nothing
She did not seek to prolong an inter-
view which had not only ~grievously
disappointed her, but filled her with de-
spair.
Nothing" she repeated, and then
added in a voice so low and broker
that the words seemed spoken to her
self rather than addressed to her hear
er. God will protect the innocent"
Mackworth bowed n softly quilted
the room, leaving ner more hopelessly
crushed by sorrow han when he had
entered. But on regaining his home
and enjoying the welcome of Shawn
and the warmth of his fire, at which he
held his feet by turns before making
himself ready for supper, the ques-
tons which had persistently presented
themselves during his drive from st.
Johns Wood again came before him.
HOW Was IL JHdl llt man anu Wplldh
who best knew George Bostock doubt
ed his confession of the murder?
If he were not guilty of the crime,
who VAS
And why was Mrs. Dumbarton so
certain of his innocence on such i'm
sufficient evidence
The voice of the ~househeeper an-
~nouncing that supper was ready inter-
rupted his thoughts. Before taking OFF
his great coat he dived his hands into
his pockets and drew out the gloves
he had taken by mistake. He looked
at them carefully, admiring their color
and their daintiness before placing them
on the c~himneypiece, whe1e, being in
sight, he would not forget TO return
them. =
Il will take them to Mr.. Gaibraith to-
c, 4.