Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-02-09

statements, take my oath IN the pres.
ence OF witnesses, and subscribe my
name"
The oath was hurriedly taken and
then with feverish eagerness he held
out his hand for the pen with whidN
he hastily wrote his name. Then let
ting it droop from fingers, he. with
an air of intense relief, lay back upon
the pillow of that narrow bed from
which he might rise no more, his face
ghastly, his eyes luminous, wild and
fixed upon space, his mind needless Of
what went on around him, the append
ing of the witnesses signatures. the
Dispersal of the group which had witt
messed this scene the approach OF the
doctor.
George Coris fingered a moment at
the door while he spoke to Mackworth
in n subdued voice.
81 will undertake tic do that. sir"
the inspector replied.
You will see him at once?"
Yes, will drive to his place with
out delay.
Then will leave the matter to you.
Don't forget to explain 1t was impos-
sible for me to call on him this even
ing"
Il will not forget, SIR Mackworth
replied.
Meanwhile Headwick, deeply grieved
at heart and still overcome by aston
ishment by Bostock's confession, stood
by the bedside and looked mournfuiIy
at the man who had been his friend
the man whom he had admired. es-
teemed, valued for his honor, human
ity and integrity; the man whom he
found it difficult to believe had taken
the life of a fellow creature. From no
other lips than BostocS'S own would he
have credited the statement which had
overturned all the ideas and shattered
ali the ideals Headwick had enter
tanned and formed regarding George
Bostock.
There is no knowing what may be
buried in mans heart, he thought.
Those nearest and dearest to nm may
walk by his side throughout All ms
days without suspectlnS the secrets
his life may hold
As u reused from the stupor INTO
which he had fallen by the STEADY gaze
fixed upon him, he lifted his eyes TO
Headwieks face, and then IN voice
unlike his own-a voice without modu-
lation, infection. or pause said:
Il have saved her-l have saved her
i have saved her
Even now, with the knowledge That
his friend was murderer, Headwlck
did not shrink from him. Pity for the
man who, in moment OF ungovern-
able passion had been guilty OF blood
shed; for the man whose punishment
had followed so quickly on ms deed.
stirred Headwick, Who, bending above
him, said:
You feel better, | hope, now that
its load?"
Yes, yes, have saved her." Bostock
exclaimed in the same hasty, feverlsh
manner.
You did we'll to speak the truth no
matter. at what cost" Headwick re-
marked, striving TO soothe him.
THE truth-yes: it will save her, 1t
Will save her. the wretched man re-
piled, repeating in the same eager tone
the words which expressed the domi-
nant Idea OF his mind.
You must strive to keep quiet" the
surgeon said.
Yes; the excitement is all over now.
Mackworth said they would find her
guilty. but he was mistaken. He did
not know what I could do. He was
wrong; | have proved that can save
her-that | can save her"
He is becoming delirious," the sur
seon whispered to Headwick.
but now there will be no trial; the
jury viii say he has saved her-he has
SAVED her"
The surgeon thinking it is his duty
sidered doomed, went to the far end
OF the room that he might procure some
morphia that would allay the excite
ment and perhaps ward off the fever
which threatened the patient.
Meanwhile Headwicls listened with
intense eage1ness to the words that
escaped these parched lips, While a
thought that scared and electrified.
flashed on his mind.
But it was you-you and none other
who killed David Dumbarton?" he al"
NEST Whispered in Rostock's ear.
AS the patient listened a change
came over him. His eyes We're turned
on the speaker with startled, wistful
expression, while an effort was visible
IN them TO retain his fast fieelns con.
seriousness.
Have l not confessed?" he asked In
frightened tone. Have l not saved
her after all? Was 1t but a dream
this eonfession-the laWyer-the sig.
nature:
anxious to soothe his increasing ex-
element. But tell me-" he added IN
voice which the terrible fear that
he was gradually possessing made inn
pressive. Tell me. was it you who
killed Dumbarton?'
She never killed him." he replied
in that dull monotonous voice Which
was as ghost of his own. Il will not
believe it--never. She is not guilty"
Then who is? Tell ME, in Gods
name!"
mot she; no, she is saved, and
saved her"
But at what cost ?" urged Headwicll,
his mind now fully alarmed, the
thought which a moment ago had
flashed on him momentarily gaining
ground.
Il tell you she is saved, and by me-
This must be stopped, said the sur
geon severely.
But one moment" exclaimed
| Headwick, and Laen he paused, un-
willing to express his fear
| He is quite deliriouS."