The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-02-16

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had already conveyed to him. Knowing
there We're no news criers in St. Johns
Wood, and that the evening editions
of papers We're sloW.to arrive at that
suburb, he believed the account would
not yet have reached his cousin; but
he saw likewise he had no time to
IL he would first convey the tfd-8
ings of George Bostock's confession.
On reaching the house he was told
Mrs. Dumhartcn was a%t,dinner, wher,
without standing on he en-
tered the dining ROOM.
ITS Valerius," exclaimed Veronica.
who faced the door.
Olive Dumbarton rose, and with
outstretched hand went towards him,
saying:
W. have almost finished. .but if you
No thanks. he ans -%e:ea .I didn't
come to dine, but-but to tell you
something And he glanced at the
| ervant.
His cousin noticed the restraint he
sought to exercise overs1lis 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
Dumbarton turned to him expectantly,
pale from her fear OF that unknown
event of which he 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?"
"I-have not seen nor heard from him
for some days. she replied, somewhat
surprised by his aueStiop
You We're not likely to ave seen
him; he has met With an accident of
Which l didn't like to tell YOU before,
lest it might add to your Worries"
"Nothin serious, / hope2" She said
| quickly.
He noticed the sudden anxiety which
came into her face, and that her lands
trembled, and r%esenting this BETRAYAL
of her concern, he said roughly:
Serious enough; a kick from a
horses hoof has causes a compound
facture of the skull.'
ooh. how terrible!" Veronica eS-
claimed pitifully.
Olive Dumbarton said nothing. but
the sudden pallor of her face and the
pressure of her han above the region
Of her heart told what she felt.
lie was taken to the hospital, and
Why did yon no tell Newly did
you not tell me before?" Olive DUN
barton cried out reproachfully.
Her words but served 10 irritate Va
lerius, who asked.
What could G do?"
swered bravely.
"You?"
Why not. He was the best friend
had in the world; and now he may
be dying she said, her eyes full of
tears.
He is dying" valerius replied in a
hard voice, in which his triumph was
apparent.
sDying?" she whispered.
WITHOUT n feeling of compassion
he saw the appealing look in her ewes.
me tWltching of her white lips.
Dying" she murmured again, eager
that he hould unsay the word.
His anger and jealousy rose at sight
OF her pain. and losing all control over
himself, he cried out:
ana there is nothing in that Won
need regret, for knowing he was DIV
ing, ne has Nindicated your innocence"
She looked at him with questioning
drift Of his words.
What do you mean?' she ask ed in
a low, tremulous voice.
That having but a few hours ia
live, he confessed to numbering YOUR
husband Valerins Sluntly exclaimed
NiAAl ii Sll6SS OIL .WHlth no NIIa &.
scarce conscious.
George Bostock?"
A flush Of color came to her face .
look OF energy to her eyes, as She
rose and said:
IT is false-it is false"
II is true. answered Valerius. His
confession was taken down by George
Corls' and signed by witnesses. You
may read an account Of it here" Ard
ne produced the newspaper.
1T is not that; no matter what he
mas confessed he has never committee
the crime"
You have his own word-his oath
Valerius replied, his excitement in
creasing.
But don't you see, cannot YOU nm
d~erstand" she exclaimed, a look Of
tenderness upon her worn face. an ex-
preston Of pride in her luminous eyes.
re mas zone TINS 10 save me from my
rate. But | will not accept his sacri-
f1ce; living or dead his memor shall
be cleared from this crime"
Olive are o mad?"
mo, no., am sane enough to see
what he has done has merely been for
my AXE He is innocent"
The world Will believe his own word
his sworn testimony
Then it shah be my duty to prove
his innocence
Valerius already pale with excite
ment rose up and in 4 burst of anger
shouted:
You love hi,n-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: ~
II o V him.
Valerius laughed mockingly, and then
almost shouted
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