Free press., 1906-09-01
CHAPTER V.

George Bostock was eager to hear
Mrs. DumbartOn's account of the event
Not that he needed words of hers to
confirm his belief in her innocence
that none was more certain than he
but he was impatient to hear how it
came to pass that she was found in a
position and under circumstances that
conveyed an idea of guilt
Veronica, likewise, longingly awaited
this narrative. which she felt certain
would prove a complete vindication of
her mothers innocence
when you had left last night" Mrs
Dumbarton said, turning toward the pub
Usher, who sat at a little distance, his
and sympathy, Il took up the book which
had arrived by the last post and began
to read. Feeling hot and feverish,
kept the lower window open. All within
was perfectly silent; no sound came from
without and the peace seemed restful to
my senses.
"The book interested me and I felt no
inclination to Sleep" Mrs. Dumbarton
continued. and then paused while slight
shudder passed through her frame, as
if some distressing sight presented it
self to her vision
''How long did you continue to read?"
George Bostock asked.
Probably for couple of hours after
you left. l know I was suddenly startled
by hearing the garden gate flung violently
back and sounds of footsteps rushing to-
ward the house; but before could real
ize what had happened figure darted
through the open window and stood
within the room-a mans figure, whose
actions were frantic, as if he were
1NIr Ia "a
from pain. At this sight I screamed, then
paralyzed by terror, I remained speech
less and motionless
81 saw that the man before me was
my husband. Scarcely had I understood
| this when he came staggering toward
me, but before he reached me he fell,
a cry for help and mercy on his lips. AS
| he did not move, I drew nearer to him,
| fascinated, fearful, expectant, until, over
coming my terror and the sense of repul-
sion that filled me, stood beside him.
when for the first time I saw-I saw a
knife had been thrust into his breast.
"As yet there was no sign of blood
no forewarning of death my sense Of
| dread was underlined. The sight of his
white, haggard and distorted face ap-
| pealed to me through all, and I had but
one thought, to save him from danger
when, acting on impulse, stretched ou
| my hand and drew the knife from hi:
breast AS l did blood gushed from the
wound upon my hands, upon my dress
and he moaned as if stricken anew. Un
able to grasp what had happened, ben
over him, to see his eyes grow glassy
and his face become livid. Then I knew
he was dead"
''Of what happened afterward I wa
but dimly conscious" Olive Dumbartor
continued Gas one sees a figure in
dream I saw my maid rush into the room
and as suddenly disappear; then cam
Veronica, and finally the servant returned
with a policeman. At sight of him
fresh sense of horror and heavy forebod
ings of i'll fell unOn my senses, and
remember no more"
did you see no one else-no secon,
figure pursuing him?" George Bostocl
asked, his anxiety plain to witness.
''No.''
"And he mentioned no name-spoi
no word that would lead you to know
or suspect why he had been murdered |?
''The only words he spoke were thos
. in which he asked for help and mercy.
"You are sure nothing has escape'
, your memory"
Nothing. You think my case seem
hopeless" !" she said, reading his thought:
"I have no doubt" George Bostoc
said, with the object of cheering hel
that the truth regarding this unhapp
affair will come out-that is, that tn
truth of your innocence will be proved.
God grant that it may" she cried
: but cannot fail to see that my DANCE
IS great
''You are not guilty" he answered
! deeply moved by her words and the pal
t with which they were uttered "Surel
: that can be proved.
"Only by discovering who is" she II
s piled promptly.
(To be continued