Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-09-06
CHAPTER V

| George Bostock was eager to hea,
| Mrs Dumbarton's account of the event
| Not that he needed words of hers f.
confirm his belief in her innocence-o
| mat none was more certain than he
| but he was impatient to hear how il
| came to pass that she was found In q
position and under circumstances that
| conveyed an idea OF guilt
Veronica, likewise, longingly awaited
this narrative, which she felt certain
would prove complete vindication of
her mothers Innocence.
When you had left last night" Mrs
Dutnbarton said, turning toward the pub
Usher, who sat at little distance, his
grave, anxious face expressing interest
and sympathy, 81 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
1t 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. | know | was suddenly startled
by hearing the garden gate flung violently
back and sounds of footsteps rushing to-
ward the house; but before | could real
lze what had happened a figure darted
through the open window and stood
within the room-a mans figure, whose
actions were frantic, as if he were
stricken with madness or made desperate
from pain. At this sight ] screamed, then
paralyzed by terror, | remained speech
less and motionless.
1 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, | 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 | saw saw a
knife had been thrust into his breast.
AS yet there was no sign of blood, |
no forewarning of death; nv 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 out |
my hand and drew the knife from his |
breast. AS / did blood gushed from the |
wound upon my hands, upon my dress,
and he inoaned as if stricken anew I'm
able to grasp what had happened, I bent
over him, to see his eyes grow CLASSY |
and his face become livid. Then l knew |
he was dead"
OF what happened afterward I was |
but dimly conscious" Olive Dumbarton
continued. GAS one sees a figure in a |
dream | saw my maid rush into the room
and as suddenly disappear; then came
Veronica, and finally the servant returned
with policeman. At sight of him
fresh sense of horror and heavy forebod- |
ings of i'll fell unon my senses. and I
no more"
hgure pursuing him?" George Bostock
asked, his anxiety plain to witness.
mo"
"And he mentioned no name-spoke
no word that would lead you to know
Or suspect why he had been murdered?"
"The only words he spoke were those
IN which he asked for help and mercy"
You are sure nothing has escaped
your memory"
Nothing. You think my case seems
hopeless" she said, reading his thoughts.
Il have no doubt" George Bostock
'aid, with the object of cheering her,
that the truth regarding this unhappy
affair will come out-that is, that the
ruth of your innocence will be proved"
, God grant that it may" she cried;
but l cannot fail to see that my danger
s great"
you are not guilty" he answered,
leeply moved by her words and the pain
With which they were uttered. "Surely
hat can be proved"
."Only by discovering who is" she re-
lied promptly.
Ito be continued)