The Marshall republican., 1906-08-17
CHAPTER II.

49, aIN
A fortnight elapsed since Olive Dunn
barton said farewell to her cousin, dur
ing which time she had striven In vain
to escape from the cloud Of depression
that crept upon her life. Veronica per-
suaded her to summon their friend and
neighbor, DR.. Oiave.
The latter, on seeing Mrs. Dumbarton,
spoke gravely of overweight nerves, ex-
hausted brain, general debility, and or
dered complete rest from mental work,
open air exercise, avoidance OF excite
ment, crowds and late hours, begging
her of all things to free her mind from
worry.
what most f%atigues and distresses me
are s~leepless nights" she said, so that
| have taken to use choral"
That you must Immediately discon-
tinue," DIR. Quave replied. sleep should
come from natural causes, as from ex-
e%rcisc, for instance"
"But I haven't sufficient strength to
take exercise"
"You soon will. Narcotics arc cspe-
cially bad in a case like yours. l will
send you a neutrality-suspicious., quinine
anu lux NOInlCa. iuat, WIN SohhpietS
rest, will set you right again. the doctor
remarked, with a CHEEKY air.
Mrs. Dumbarton gave up work because
all ideas seemed 10 have forsaken her.
and TO frame three consecutive sentences
became an i~mpossibility.
One evening after dinner as she sat
reading In the cosy room she called the
study, a servant entered bearing a card
Mrs. Dumbarton started at the slight
but unexpected noise made by the open
ing Of the door, and then glanced NJ
her visitors name. "Mr. Bostock-show
him in,' she said, without hesitation and
| with pleasure. In another moment the
| publisher stood before her. q tall, slight
man, with a wide, high forehead. dark
gray melancholy eyes under wcll-markcd
brows and a black beard.
Forgive me for calling AZ such an
hour" he said. apologctically, but ] was
in the ncighborhood, and | thought !
would do myself the pleasure OF bearing
you interesting news"
IT am always glad to see YOU" she
answered. the frank expression OF her
pleasure showing IN her face.
my news Is this: The whole OF the
| first edition OF your book has been sub
scribed for before publication"
Il am 90 gladw cried Veronica.
TT fills me with apprehension," said
| the authoress. "What. " after all I dis
appoint the public. now Il has been sc
kind"
.No fear OF that. It's the best move
you have written" George Bostock re
piled, looking NJ her with eyes that spoke
the secret OF his heart.
TN delighted that you think 80. The
last book ai which ] work always seems
10 me the best until It's finished; then
when ! read II over, see how com.
pleteiy Il has failed I oeonvey what
intended, and ! am ready 10 feel unspcak,
| able gratitude 20 the critics II they. vii
mercifully refrain from rending me"
'Now they unanimously praise YOU
| the publisher said.
"Far more than ! deserve; ! am moi
unmindful Of their g~entieness."
"you have earned all their praise" re-
piled thi, CHEEKY friend. -.
"'Tis O thst ] receive IL"
And they continued chatting OF liter
sture and its votsries. unmindful becaus.
unconscious OF the fate drawing nigt
them. until once more the servant en-
tered, this time with Q book and . lettsI
which had arrived by the last post. Look
ing at them, Mrs. Dumbsrton saw the,
were directed In the handwriting OF W.
lerius Galbraith. /.
George Bostoek rose. He was struel
BY the pale and haggard appearance Of
his hostess. which her animation had un
I'll now concealed.
-Ars you not wsllr he inquired
anxiously.
II have been somewhat upset"
Surely not by hImp !.
"Yes. He has returned. notwithstand
ing his promise"
HAS he been here" Bostock asked
anxiously. eagerly.
'Not vet; but he maj come any day
"Cau nothing be done" he inquired
much distressed by what he heard.
Il fear not. But the pain ct this ex
lpectancy-the suspense--
N understand. Remember. IL l cal
be Of any service-you know
Eyes. ] know" she answered, crate
With . strong. 6rm grasp he he'll
her hand IL his, then left her withnu
further words.
Left alone, Mrs. Dumbarton seated her
self In . cosy chair and opened the boo
Valerius had sent. She soon became IN
terested IN IL contsnts. 5 that tim
quickly passed unpsrceivsd by her.
Veronica had been an hour In t
happy land d chlldhood's dreams. an
the cook had retired to bed, 30 tha
mons were dowustslys save Olive DUN
bsrtod and her maid, Ne latter awsitin
!. the sumnaons Of her mistress. Suddenl,
as the GIRL dossd over ; weekly period
cal, die was rudely startled into walk
fulness b. sounda q the shliting IN
crashing Of luraiture and immediatcl
after came : cry d Bitter pain, such .
might be drawn from . woman By
cruel blow, TO which h turn suceeede
. hoarse shout, q from . man n n
: extremity implorag mercy and demand
Ing help.
Petrlfed BY terror, he gil stood IN
movable with stfsined senses for . sex
!, ond. then. acting on iupulse, she rushe
IN the akudv md nmS9 vide The dool