The Cairo bulletin., 1906-08-19
CHAPTER ii.

i DdILOll sdlu farewell 10 iltT COUSIN, our
ing which time she had striven in vail
to escape from the cloud of depression
that crept upon her life. Veronica per
suaded her to summon their friend AM
neighbor, DR.. Qlave.
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 fatigues and distresses mt
are sleepless nights she said, so tina
| | have taken to use choral"
That you must Immediately discon.
tinue," DR.. Quave replied. "Sleep should
come from natural causes, as from ex-
ercise, for instance"
But ! haven't sufficient strength tc
| take exercise"
"You soon will. Narcotics are espe-
| cially bad in a case like yours. | will
send you tonic-phosphorus, quinine
and nux vonica. That, with complete
rest, will set you right again." the doctor
Mrs. Dumbarton gave up work because
all ideas seemed to have forsaken her,
and to frame three consecutive sentences
became an impossibility.
One evening after dinner as she sat
reading in the cosy room she called the
study, servant entered bearing card.
Mrs. Dumbarton started at the slight
but unexpected noise made by the open
ing of the door, and then glanced at
her visitors name. "Mr. Bostock-show
him in," she said, without hesitation and
with pleasure. In another moment the
publisher stood before her, tall, slight
man, with a wide, high forehead, dark
gray melancholy eyes under well-marked
brows and a black beard.
Forgive me for calling at such an
hour" he said, apologetically, "but | was
in the neighborhood, and | thought |
would do myself the pleasure of bearing
you interesting news"
Il 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
SCTlDeQ lot
81 am so gladW cried Veronica.
1T fills me with apprehension, said
the authoress. what, if after all | dis
appoint the public, now it has been so
kind"
mo fear of that. It's the best novel
you have written" George Bostock re-
Piled, looking at her with eyes that spoke
the secret of his heart
''Pm delighted that you think so. The
last book at which | work always seems
to me the best until its finished; then,
when | read it over, | see how COM
pletely it has failed oconvey what |
intended, and am ready to feel unspeak-
able gratitude to the critics IT they will
mercifully refrain from rending me"
Now they unanimously praise you"
the publisher said.
Ear more than ! deserve; / am not
of their gentleness."
"You have earned all their praise" re-
Piled this CHEEKY friend.
"'Tis more that | receive it,"
And they continued chatting of liter
lture and its votaries, unmndful because |
unconscious of the fate drawing nigh
hem, until once more the servant en-
cred, this time with a book and letter
which had arrived by the last post Look
ng at them. Mrs. Dumbarton saw they
we're directed in the handwriting of Va
erius Galbraith.
George Bostock rose. He was struck
" the pale and haggard appearance of
lis hostess, which her animation had I'M
il now concealed.
"Are you not well1" he inquired,
Il have been somewhat upset"
Surely not by him2"
eyes. He has returned, notwithstand-
ng his promise" /
"Has he been here?" Bostock asked,
nxiously, eagerly. /
Not yet; but he may come any day"
"Can nothing be done" he inquired,
much distressed by what he heard.
81 fear not But the pain of this ex-
suspense"
81 understand Remember, If / can
e of any service-you know"
Eyes, / know she answered, CRATE
ully.
With a strong, firm grasp he held
or hand in his, then left her without
lrther words.
Left alone. Mrs. Dumbarton seated her
Elf in a cosy chair and opened the book
Talerius had sent. She soon became in
,rested in its contents, so that time
uickly passed unperceived by her.
Veronica had been an hour in the
Apply land of childhood's dreams, and !
le cook had retired to bed, so that
one were downstairs save Olive Dunn Z
arton. and her maid, the latter awaiting \
lie summons of her mistress. Suddenly, q
the girl dozed over a weekly periodi- s
i. she was rudely startled into wake b
llness BY sounds of the shifting and S
ASKING of furniture, and Immediately
ter came a cry of bitter pain, such as J
ight be drawn from a woman by s
ueI blow. to which in turn succeeded o
hoarse shout, as from man in his II
tremity imploring mercy and demand \
G help. "
Petrihed by terror. the girl stood i'm IT
ovable with strained senses for a sec o.
d, then. acting on impulse she rushed al
the study and flung wide the door. q
the center of the room a man lay e.
on his back motionless, his eyes wide al
en- and fixed, terror on his CHASTITY face.
. ;axpe ciir,ched ,s-bffe he,,df,,er above | D..