CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1906-08-23
CHAPTER II.

that crept upon her life. Veronica per-
suaded her to summon their friend and
neighbor, DR.. QIave.
The latter, on seeing Mrs. Dumbarton,
spoke gravely of overwrought nerves, ex-
hausted brain, general debility, and or
dered complete rest from mental work,
open air exercise, avoidance of excite
ment, crowds and late hours, begging
her of all things to free her mind from
worry.
What most fatigues and distresses me
are slecpless nights" she said, so that
| have taken to use chloral."
THAT you must Immediately discon-
tinue," DR.. Quave replied. sleep should
come from natural causes, as from ex-
ercise, for instance"
But ! haven't sufficient strength to
take exercise"
"You soon will. Narcotics are espe-
cially bad in case like yours. i will
send you nic-phosphorus, quinine
and nus vomica- That, with complete
rest, will set you right again. the doctor
remarked, with CHEEKY air.
Mrs. Dumbarton gave up work because
all ideas seemed to have forsakcn her,
and to frame three consecutive sentences
became an impossibility.
One evening after dinner as she sat
reading in the cosy room she called the
study, servant entered bearing card.
Mrs. Dumbarton started at the slight
but unexpected noise made by the open
ing OF the door, and then glanced at
her visitors name. Mr. Bostock-show
him in" she said, without hesitation and
with pleasure In another moment the
publisher stood before her, tall, slight
man. with a wide, high forehead, dark
gray melancholy eyes under well-marked
brows and black beard.
Forgive me for calling at such an
hour" he said, apologetically. but l was
in the neighborhood, and / thought
would do myself the pleasure OF bearing
you interesting news
II am always glad to see YOU, she
answered. the frank expression OF her
pleasure showing in her face.
"My news is this: The whole of the
first edition of your book has been sub
scribed for before publication.
Il am so gladI" cried Veronica.
1T fills me with apprehension said
the authoress. What. If after all / dis
appoint the public, now it has been so
kind?"
mo fear of that It's the best novel
YOU have written George Bostock re-
piled. looking at her with eyes that spoke
the secret of his heart
I'm delighted that you think so. The
last book at which l work always seems
TO me the best until its finished; then,
when ! read it over, ! see how COM
pletely it has failed t oconvey what !
intended, and am ready TO feel unspeak-
able gratitude to the critics if they Will
mercifully refrain from rcnding me.
Now they unanimously praise you,
the publisher said.
Far more than ! deserve: am not
unniindful of their gcntlcness.'
'You have earned all their praise, re-
piled this CHEEKY friend.
tits more that receive it"
And they continued chatting of liter
aturc and its votaries, unmindful because
unconscious OF the fate drawing nigh
them, until once more the servant en-
tered. this time with book and letter
which, had arrived by the last post Look
ing at them, Mrs. Dumbarton saw they
were directed in the handwriting of Va
lerius Galbraith.
George Bostock rose. He was struck
by the pale and hsggard appearance OF
his hostess, which her animation had un-
til now concealed.
"Are YOU not well?" he inquired,
anxious!y.
81 have been somewhat upset"
Surely not by him p
"Ycs. He has returned. notwithstand-
ing his promise"
HAS he been hercf" Bostoek asked,
anxiously, eagerly. :,
Not vet: but he may come any day.
Can nothing be done2" he inquired,
much distressed by what he heard.
'I fear not. But the pain of this ex-
pectancy-thc suspense"
81 understand. Remember, if / can
be of any service-you know"
"Yes, I know" she answered, CRATE
fully.
With strong, firm grasp he held
her hand in his, then left her without
further words.
Left alone, Mrs. Dumbarton seated her
| self in a cosy chair and opened the book
Valcrius had sent, She soon became in.
terestcd in its contents, so that time
quickly passed unperccived by her.
Veronica had been an hour in the
happy land of childhood's dreams, and
The cook had retired to bed, so thai
none were downstairs save Olive Dunn.
barton and her maid, the latter awaiting
the summons OF her mistress. Suddenly
as the girl dozed over weekly period.
cal, she was rudely startled into wake,
fulncss by sounds of the shifting and
crashing Of furniture, and immcdiatel,
after came cry of bitter pain, such a.
might be drawn from woman by .
cruel blow, to which in turn succeeded
hoarsc shout, as from man in his
extremity imploring mercy and demand
ing help.
Petrihed by terror, the girl stood i'm
movable with strained senses for sec.
ond, then, acting on impulse. she rushed
to the study and flung wide the door
In the center Of the room man lay
upon his back motionless, his ewes wide