The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-01-27
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t. Fi,lssr>id Manoy

AS he ~Quickeued his pace he almost
overlook the servant as She opened
the drawing door; then he stood
quite still II Amos GREATNESS, saL-
ing before hln. The apartment, which
WAS family lighted by Il single lamp,
showed hin the figure otthe woman he
sought. seated at = table ON which she
had thrust out her arms. betweer
which her head was buried. There
was something SO pitiful and despair
in the abandonment of her attitude.
that all the misery he had felt that day
became suddenly accentuated. and he
recognized that here lay the cause.
Win lntuttive delicacy he stepped
back until the servants entry having
disturbed her mistress, the latter rose
and turning her back TO the light, pre-
pared to receive him. Dimly seen as
it was, her pallid face. drawn and hag-
gard. With its eyes dull and swollen
its mout Guivering and above all its
expression of utter misery. startled
him.
The hand he held in his trembled and
felt cold as death.
What has happened?" he asked
while dreading to hear her reply.
You have not heard" she said, in a
low broken voice.
Il have heard nothing new. Tell me
what it is?'
All hope of saving me is lost"
NO, no, not that" he cried out fierce
ly, as il in defiance of the statement.
"All. That mantle Italian
Has escaped"
Has been traced TO his grave"
'Well?"
He died in a hospital a few hours
before my husband was killed she
said, striving to steady her voice.
In a second he realized what the con-
sequences of this discovery might
prove to the woman before him. The
hope that she had entertained of being
quickly freed from a horrible charge
the only hope which had been held out
to her, had been destroyed and she
was once more face to face with the
accusation of murder. and With the dire
that must ensue.
All the great love and pity he felt
for her swelled within him. but all
words We're for the m frozen on
his lips. She sank back into her chair.
and for some seconds the silence was
unbroken between them. Meanwhile he
was searching his mind to find some
consolation which he might hold out
to her even while he felt there was
none he could reasonably or truthfully
offer.
When did you hear this news?" he
asked presently.
This morning; the inspector came
to tell me-
And you nave been alone ever since
With your trouhle?' he said looking at
her.
Il sent for my cousin. but l suppose
he was not in his rooms when my mes
sage reached him she replied.
For your cousin? >" he repeated in a
tone OF %ieproach, regretting the mo-
mcnt they We're spoken, not only the
words. but the tone in which unillten-
tionally he had uttered them.
Il felt sure You would come later,
when you heard it; | knew you would
said said quickly, conscious that she
had panied him and anxious TO make
amends.
But tell me about Mackworth; has
. he no other clew?"
Not that 1 know OF, at least" she
answered wearily.
He may have, though he %withholds
1t from you," he remarked
why do you think he would keep
1t back from meg"
He might not wish to speak Unit,
he was able TO prove his case"
L see" she answered. a grateful look
In her eyes, you are striving to give
me hope, but L cannot blind mysel1
to the fact that circumstances seen
dead against me"
Though her voice was calm there was
an undertone of pitifulness in it thai
appealed to her nearer more directly
!. more keenly than she would have be
l lieved possible.
! n matter: it's my belief one of two
l ner growing more serious Il possible.
AN that" she said eagerly.
Either the man who killed you,
husband will be found
Orr"
r 'Or Ne will confess
She shook her head sadly. saving. =.
fear the murderer will never be dis
covered; YOU see all these weeks gont
by and no definite clew has been OBJ.
. tanned; as for confession-that l dar,
not hope for
Why not?" he asked.
Il cannot imagine q man who woul,
be guilty of murder sacrificing himsel
to save the Innocent"
But | can conceive circumstances,
replied Bostoek, speaking slowly am
with emphasis. under which a comics
sion was not only possible. but prob
able"
VIVA are they?" she asked.
He withdrew his chair beyond TIL
In a clear decisive voice, that indicate
his words nae been we'll considered
"A MAJ may commit murder throug
a feeling of hatred or revenge, an
yet shrink from inhicting a terribl
blow on one who had never wronge
him. he said.
You think So"
is it not a reasonable surmise? ii
may through moral cowardice. N i
the hope that you may be acquitted c
this charge without The necessity c
his intervention. wait till the last mo
ment, and then if there are no othe
means of freeing you. he may speak.
She shook her head saying. Il can
not agree with YOU; a man who com
mits murder Is not one TO make sue
a sacrifice"
. Who can tella The passion this
y blindly hurried him to take n man
life having been satisfied. he migl
come to regard his deed in the sam