Free press., 1906-09-29
CHAPTER x.

SS@~A
evident relief.
CHAPTER K.
Throughout the days following the
return to town of Valerius Galbraith, all
his energies were expended in striving
to penetrate the mystery which sur
rounded David Dumbarton's death
Hours of his time were spent in con-
sultation with George 'Coris and the
counsel instructed by him; while Valer-
ius had several interviews with Mack
worth, who listened to his suggestions
without revealing his own ideas regard
ing the man he suspected of the motive
he believed to have caused the crime.
And no day was allowed to pass with
out Olive Dumbarton seeing her cousin,
whose sympathy in this hour of need
was welcome to her, whose efforts to
give her hope and bring her cheer she
gratefully appreciated; and that he now
made no reference, as he had often done
in recent times, to the affection he felt
for her, or dwelt on all that might have
been had she long years ago accepted his
love, she felt more grateful still.
He was to her a friend, her next of
kin, and nothing more, and as such she
willingly accepted the services he placed
at her disposal, the companionship he
gave her.
1t was Galbraith's habit to avoid Bos-
took when possible, but it happened one
afternoon when the former was spend
ing the afternoon with his cousin, that
the publisher called. Valerius, who was
too we'll bred to show discourtesy to-
ward a guest of his hostess and his
kinswoman, rose and greeted Bostock
formally and with an air of restraint of
which Olive was painfully conscious, and
of which the publisher was likewise
aware.
Olive Dumbarton sat in a deep chair
beside the fire, her black dress contrast
ing the pallor of her face, her thin hands
with their long, sensitive fingers lying
listlessly in her lap, her large, gray-blue
eyes fixed absently on the fire when not
raised in question to those with whom
she conversed. Veronica, seated at a
little table apart, made tea for their
visitors.
George Bostock was nartating the lat
est literary gossip to his hostess, for,
knowing the interest she always felt in
her fellow-workers, he strove by this
means to Danish for awhile the dark
and troubled thoughts that forever faced
her. Mrs. Dumbarton moved her head
| until she faced the window, the blind of
which had not been drawn. AS she did
she started violently, her eyes became
| fixed, her face grew ashy white, and her
| hands clutched the arms of her chair.
They who stood beside her saw with
| fear the sudden change which had come
upon her, and without questioning her
turned simultaneously in the direction
/ in which her gaze was yet fixed. And
as they looked they were startled by the
sight of face pressed close against the
glass, its outlines lost in the darkness
surrounding it, the eyes large, dark and
luminous, filled with fixed determine
ton and eager purpose there was no mis-
taking.
The second of profound silence which
| followed seemed an age, during which
| they suffered from a stupefaction which
held their senses in abeyance; then Va
| lerius, who was first to recover, rushed
] from the room and out of the house
| AS he did the dark eyes, which had
noted his movements, withdrew from
the window and disappeared in the black
ness without.
AS if relieved from a gaze that had
| fascinated her against her will, Olive
| Dumbarton drew a long breath, closed
| her eyes and rose to her feet.
| Mother, dearest, who can this be %
Veronica asked, in a frightened, appeal
ing voice
"God knows Olive Dunbarton re-
| piled, m the tone of one ready to meet
whatever calamity fate had yet in store
1 IT. -. .1..A:-...1