The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-02-24

In Mr.. BostocR confessing to a crime
of which he was never guilty.
Not guilty. exclaimed the inspec-
tor. still more amazed.
Il am certain he is innocent" she
replied hur-iedly.
but what proof have you, madam"
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 | 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 to an end, he has made this
confession to save me. That is all.
He is innocent"
Then" asked Mackworth. as his
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
II cannot say" she replied hurri' Ny,
but | know he is is not"
May l ask you, madam, how you
know"
My heart tells me. my woman's in
| sight assures me he is not" she an
swered, realizing how impotent was
her argument.
such things will hardly weigh
| against his own confession"
She saw The force of his words and
knowing she had no weapon to combat
! it, her misery increased the while he
watched her silently, new suggestions
arising in his mind.
Present she burst:
/ 'Why not continue your inVestiga-
l,,. tl,,
| feSSion?"
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-~impossiblew she
cried out.
II assure you IT is true
ION what grounds
Those which | 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 to the
crime.
TN not believe him guilty-Tll not
believe It,, She said, the more earnest
ly and determinedly because aware OF
her hopelessness To make Mackwortl1
share her convictions.
The most improbably things hap
pen, madam, and in nothing are we
more likely to be deceived than in tn,
characters OF our friends" said Mack.
worth.
Experience had shown her but az
hour before how true We're his words
but she would not credit them with re.
gard TO him for whom they wer,
meant.
Il am sure that one day you will fine
, you are wrong she said, her anXiet,
visible in her eyes But is there moth
,, ing that can be done mcanwhle-noth
, ing that will disprove his statements?
!, Nothing" answered Mackworlh, a
;. he rose to leave. Nothing"
:, She did not seek to proong an inter
; view which had not only grievousl
= disappointed her, but filled her with de
= Spair.
d Nothing" she repeated, and thel
;. added in a voice so low and broker
that the words seemed spoken to her
self rather than addressed to her hear
q er. God will protect the innocent
= Mackworth bowed and softly Quite
:, the room, leaving her more hopeless
, crushed by sorrow than when he ha
:, entered But on regaining his HON
= and enjoying the welcome of Shaw
y and the warmth of his fire. at which h
- held his feet by turns before maxim
:, himself ready for supper, the ques
n tons which had persistently presente
- themselves during his drive from S
Johns Wood again came before him.
How was 1t that the man and WOma
= who best knew George Bostuck doubt
- ed his confession of the murder?
q II he were not guilty of the Grim,
y who was?
And why was Mrs Dumbarton S
= certain of his innocence on such in
, sufficient evidence?
: The voice of the housekeeper an
nOuncing that supper was ready inter
-. rupted his thoughts. Before taking .
. his great coat he dived his hanSs int
, his pockets and drew out tn. glove
"a he had taken by mistake. He locke
a at them carefully, admiring their col,
~ and their daintiness before placing the
=. on the chimneypece, where, being
n sight, he would not forget to retu1
- Their.
~ II will take them to Mr.. Galbraith t.
~, morrow morning." Mackworth said, :
"a with Shawn at his heels, he left Il
room.