Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-02-22
Hilda rose and walked out of tn

w III BIC 5udIe uO IL! lie asked hill
self, turning livid and cold from fear
Idiot and fool that | was to tell her
all! But the excitement of the mo-
ment was too great for me. 1t threw
me off my balance. | wonder what She
is doing now? Shall | follow her?
Quicker and more excitedly he asked
himself each question. stop her
shall /? No! / cannot trust myself to
act and speak coolly. Besides, influ-
ence over her have none! She must
do her best-or worst! will remain
here trying to think steadily-trying
to devise some means of counteracting
her treachery"
He was pacing up and down the
room now, walking quickly, yet ner-
vously, growing more burningly anx-
ious every moment to know what form
her determination to disclose the
truth would take.
1t was well for him that he did not
know, for at that very moment she
was penning a telegram to be forward
ed to Reggie, should he not be at Ar
lington Towers, asking him to come at
once to see her.
Within an hour Of it's being dis
patched it was placed in his hands.
important information. Please come
Immediately Hilda." he read what
can it mean? But I'll go to her."
Instantly he was acting on this de-
cision Half an hour later he was in
the train. At the end of three hours
he was hurrying up the carriage drive
of Carlton Park.
Watching for his arrival was Hilda.
He was shown at once into the morn
ing room.
What has happened?" he asked,
looking with establishment at her
white, wrawn face.
She staggered toward him and seiz-
ed his extended hand. exclaiming:
1T is not true! Guy did not muir
der that woman!"
But tell me how you know! What
proof have you that he did not? And
who did it?"
George Ellingham is the real Grim
inal. The woman was his wife, and l
am mott"
With pity Reggie looked at her, with
pity he led her to chair and sat down
at her side. The anxiety of her hus-
bands long illness had been too great
a strain on her mind, he felt no ele-
ment of doubt on the subject.
What could he say? How condone,
yet gently argue her into disbelief of
her statement?
I will speak to Ellingham about it
myself" he said, quickly.
Speak to hin-oh, no! You can
not! Dr. Bennett has come and-and
listen! Yes, he is coming down
stairs. He will want to speak to me. ;"
1t was true. The next moment the
doctor entered. He loked angrily at
Reggie.
81 was telegraphed for" the latter
explained, "and if you consider my
presence undesirable will leave at
once"
Perhaps you can be of assistance to
us. An acutely painful stage of Sir
Georges illness has been reached. He
has been seized with strange idea
that he. murdered the woman whom
your brother confessed to having
killed"
ut is true! He would not have said
it otherwise" put in Hilda, quickly.
Believe me, Lady Ellingham, it is
not true. False accusation is the
most common form of brain disorder.
Not the slightest notice should have
been taken of his statements. He
should have been mildly argued with.
But you seem to have fostered this I'M
fortunate delusion. AS a result we are
face to face with new and distressing
complications, and shrink from think
ing what the end may be. At the pres
ent moment his mind is in a most ex-
cited and overwrought condition--in
short, he is on the verge of suffering
from most severe return Of brain
fever. No reference to the Arlington
tragedy must be made in his presence,
and you yourself would be wise to alb
stain from seeing him. May / rely on
your supporting my advice, Mr.. Frs
kine?"
.syou may" replied Reggie. "Under
the circumstances feel that / cannot
do too much in order to assist in dis
pelling Sir Georges unhappy form of
mental illness"
But tell me, when is-is-the exc
cution to take placer" asked IIilda,
turning to Reggie, and speaking in a
low, husky voice.
1t is not settled. am trying. to OBJ.
tain a reprieve. answered Reggie.
1t will undoubtedly be granted, .
put in the doctor.
One more question before you go,
DR.. Bennett" said Hilda.
Yes, what is it. Lady Ellingham?"
Is Sir George in danger?"
Unfortunately, yes
And If he dies without further proof
OF his guilt being obtained
No further proof will ever be OBJ
tanned. Lady Ellingham, for he is as I'm
nocent Of the crime as you or /. Do
you not agree with me. Mr.. Erskine 2"
s@ Il do"