Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-09-28
CHAPTER XXvII.-(Continued.y

IL WIS Win u StuSc oi EeIISl INA
Lord CaTayen went to his room thai
night. lie wanted to be alone to think
over the vents Of the day. He found
himself dwelling less on the terrible
fact that his wife had shot Lady Ham.
ilton than on the wonderful fact that
she loved him.
Il wish it had never happened he
said to himself. "She is a noble WON.
an, In spite OK all, and well l could
have loved her, but now she must never
return"
He could not sleep or rest, Never had
his pillow seemed so hard, his thoughts
so troublesome. The excitement had
been too much for him. Wherever he
went, whatever he did, his thoughts
were with Hlldred. Had she reached
Arley Ransome's house? Had he act
ed wisely in letting her go alone?
Wearied Of it all he sought refuge
with Sir Raoul in his room and the old
soldier noted with concern how worn
and haggard the handsome earl looked.
Let me stay with you, Raoul,' he
said. my guests tease me to death. One
hears of nothing but Lady Hamilton
and the poachers. 1 have had to tell
the story over and over again, until l
am fairly tired OF it"
Sir Raoul looked at the earl's bag
gard face.
Poor boy" he said, "it is rather hard
for you certainly. I promised you that
I will not mention neither Lady Hamil-
ton nor the ~poachers."
I'VE will discuss the weather. the last
new book, politics, the papers-any-
thing" proposed the earl: and then he
added {: THAT reminds me-some YER
sion OF this story is sure, I suppose, to
get abroad. The papers will make a
sensational affair Of 1t! Here the
doctor"
DIR. Randall entred the room unan-
nounced and in great haste.
The earl sprang to hts feet at the
sound OF his agitated voice, his face
growing pale and anxious.
Surely" he said, Lady Hamilton is
not worse?"
"No, she seems better. 1t Is not
| about Lady Hamilton that l want you,
| Lord Caraven. / vas sent for the mo-
/ Uleut / lelt Ieic III tLa VI lhS "oh
who used to act as your steward-John
Blantyre."
John Blantyre,'' said the earl, vague
ly. is he ill?" The subject did not in
terest him very much-indeed, he
| thought it trivial amid the excitement
Of his own affairs.
no, not i'll in the common accepta-
| ton of the term" answered the doc
tor. He Is dying, l fear"
Dying, yet not Ill! You speak In rid
dies, doctor"
ut Ia all a riddle to me-" said the
| physician; perhaps you can solve It
| He has committed suicide-that Is, be
has made an attempt on his life, but
he has not quite succeeded"
May I speak on a private matter!"
Certainly" was the quick reply. Il
have no secrets from my relative, Sir
| RaoHi."
II cannot quite understand it." con-
| tinued the doctor. They sent for me
| and when I reached the house I found
that Blantyre had attempted to take
| his life. l will not tell you how l
found him dying. His only cry was for
you, Lord Caraven; he wanted to see
you"
81 do not in the least desire to see
him." said the earl, quickly. Frankly
speaking, doctor, repentant sinners and
~deathbeds are not much in my line. I
could do him no good"
Perhaps not, yet he gave me no rest
until 1 had promised to ask you to go
and visit him. Thu strange part Of the
story has to come, Lord Caraven. 1t
was not a poacher who fired the shot
1t was himself"
The doctor was not prepared for the
effect of his words. The earl sprang
from his chair, rushed across the room
and seized him by the arm.
"Say that ,again!" he cried. John
Blantyre fired that shotf'
$50 he says replied the doctor. HE
gasped the story out to me in broken
words. I always hated her. he said:
hated her. and last night 1 shot her
by the edge Of the lake. I shot her
through the heart and I saw her fall
and"
at II impossible!" cried the earl.
..The rrsn must have been delirious. He
never sew Lady Hamilton In his life
how could he hate herT'
THAT is the %strangest part Of the
story said the doctor. "He persists In
saying that he shot Lady Caraven. I
cannot understand the matter"
II d. put In Sir Raoul, calmly.
"Blany:e was dismissed at Lady Cara
ven's desire, and he swore to be re-
venged upon her. This is his revenge
he has shot Lady Hamilton, believing
her to he the countess
TT s. impossible" repeated the earl.
"They are so different. Lady Hamilton
is fair, the countess dark-he could not
mistake Them
Suddenly he remembered that it was
in the aemi-darkness of the night that
the occurrence had happened. and that
Lady hamilton was wrapped in a sill
very veil. Could he have mistaken
them? The doctor shook his head.
II do not underestimate is, MS 1 have
said, a riddle to me. I should certain
ly advice you, Lord Caraven. to see the
man; hat is the only way to clear up
the mystery"
There IS no mystery said Sir
Raoul. ut Is as l say-the man in
tended to murder Lady Hamilton. Go
Uric
Eyes responded Lord Caraven, II
will go with you, doctor.
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