Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-30
I subsidized and the terror in the eyes A.

most disappeared.
To-day 1t was not so.
Perhaps he had suddenly become
doubtful of her identity?
This terrible possibility rushed into
her mind to remain unanswered, for
to answer it was to increase tenfold
her dread OF the work that lay before
her.
George, let your hands rest in mine,
| darling" she said, coaxingly.
Intuitiyely he did as she asked, the
sweetness of her voice carrying with
it soothing influence that brought i'm
mediate obedience.
Now her left hand was clasping both
his. But child's strength alone was
hers, and she knew that his was the
strength of strong man. Physical
power over him she had none. BY
| tact, adroitness and womanly gentle
ness she could alone gain her end.
Her right hand was on his pillow,
and very, very gently that hand was
| moving toward the spot where the re-
yolver was hidden. Only a few inches
| more, only
"Hilda! Your hand! What is it do
ing there? Why
For second her child's strength
became that of a desperate mans.
Her left hand chung to both of his with
yice-like tenacity, while with lightning
like swiftness her right hand seized
the revolver.
Now she was springing back, hold
ing the weapon as far as possible out
of his reach Another second and it
would be safely removed from his
keeping; another second and she
would have won-saved her husband
from sin and conquered.
But with darting movement his
right hand had seized her, was holding
her prisoner, holding her with fiendish
strength and drawing her nearer and
nearer. TO him. Now he had grasped
her left hand. She was almost hope
lessl yin his power. But the wild eyes
of the excited man were not on her.
They were riveted on her outstretched
right hand which held the revolver.
Planting her feet against the bed
post she tried madly to counteract the
greatness of his strength. Regain the
revolver he must not, but how prevent
it? Throw 1t away? No; it was load
ed and at full cock. To risk inadvert-
emily shooting her husband did not
come within the compass of her terri
Bile despair. Appalling indeed were the
ravages that the horrors of the mo-
ment were making in his face. De-
moniacal was the determination Writ
ten on those thin, white. cruel lips!
But he was Misunderstanding! His
strength was increasing. hers decreas-
ing. He was dragging her nearer to
him and nearer still.
The awful risk of his regaining the
pistol must not be run another second.
Help! help!" she shouted, with all
her strength.
But no one heard.
Too well had her commands been at
tended to. No one was near to break
the silence of the house. Every door
between the sick room and the serv-
ants quarters was closed.
+ Help! help! help!"
This time the words were shrieked.
Again no one came. Again no one
heard.
Nearer and nearer those burning
hands were drawing her towards him
Now he was raising himself, now he
was springing forward, regardless of
the pain which accompanied every
movement.
Oh, must she run the terrible risk of
throwing the loaded revolver away?
Yes TO finch from that risk was mad
ness. She glanced round. Where
should she throw it? 1nere, on the
sofa? Yes!
Now it was speeding through the
air.
A thud! a click! a report! followed
by a shrek and a groan. Simultane-
ous.y Sir Georges hands relaxed their
hold of Hilda and he fell back on his
pillow.
He was harmless now.
Already the sheets were being stain
ed by blood.
Ito Be continueG.)