Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER II.

A fortnight elapsed since Olive Dunn
ing which time she had striven in vain
to escape from the cloud of depression
that crept upon her life. Veronica per.
suaded her to summon their friend and
neighbor, DR.. Qlave.
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 sleepless nights" she said, so that
| have taken to use choral"
"That you must Immediately discon-
tinue," DR.. Quaye 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
and nux 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 forsaken 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. Du,nbarton 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 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 | was
in the neighborhood, and I thought
would do myself the pleasure of bearing
you interesting news"
81 am always glad to see you" she
answered, the frank expression of hel
pleasure showing i'll her face.
i MY news is this: The whole of the
first edition of your book has been sub
scribed for before publication"
!. 81 am so glad!" cried Veronica.
/, ut fills me with apprehension" sait
the authoress. "What, if after all dis
i appoint the public, now it has been ST
!. lind?"
"No fear ofy4hat. It's the best move
Z you have written George Bostock re
q piled, looking at her with eyes that spok
the secret of his heart
'Tm delighted that you think SO. Th
last book at which work always seem
to me the best until it's finished; Their
wher I read it over, see how com
pletely it has failed oconvey what
intended, and am ready TO feel unspeak
able gratitude to the critics if they wi
Iinercifully refrain from rending me"
"Now they unanimously praise you,
the publisher said
Ear more than deserve; am nc
unmindful of their gentleness."
"You have earned all their praise" re
piled this CHEEKY friend.
"'Tis more that / receive it"
n. And they continued chatting of litel
'r ature and its votaries, ,lnmindful becaus
unconscious of the fate drawing mig
x them, until once more the servant er
4 tered, this time with book and a lette
A which had arrived by the last post. Loci
ing at them, Mrs. Dumbarton saw the
were directed in the handwriting of V;
lerius Galbraith.
oI George Bostock rose. He was struc
q by the pale and haggard appearance {
t, his hostess, which her animation had III
lie til now concealed,
" "Are YOU not well?" he inquire
ye anxiously.
a. 81 have been somewhat upset"
?. Surely not by him?"
t., eyes. He has returned, notwithstan'
=, ing his promise"
"Has he been here?" Bostock aske
= anxiously, eagerly.
"Not yet; but he may come any day
a "Can nothing be done?" he inquire
81 much distressed by what he heard.
a 81 fear not But the pain of this e
pectancy-the suspense
81 II understand Remember, if / c.
CHI be of any service-you know
md. md eyes, know" she answered, graf
did fully. :.
nj With strong, firm grasp he he
its. her hand in his, then left her witho
90. further words.
\: Left alone, Mrs. Dumbarton seated hi
p self in cosy chair and opened the DO
Valerius had sent. She soon became
terested in its contents, SO that til
AXE quickly passed unperceived by her.
'AI Veronica had been an hour in I
sdy happy land of childhood's dreams, a
the the cook had retired to bed, so Il
. enyy none were downstairs save Olive Du
ER barton and her maid, the latter await
Ok OK the summons Of her mistress. Sudden
II as the girl dozed over weekly perio
r cal, she was rudely startled into wal
IL fulness by sounds of the shifting a
a ms crashing of furniture, and immediat
;ou. after came cry of bitter pain, such
we 60 might be drawn from woman by
.oa; cruel blow, to which in turn succeed
y. hoarse shout, as from man in
r. extremity imploring mercy and demai
ing help.
20 Petri6ed by terror, the girl stood
movable with strained senses for S
nd, ,fss ond, then, acting on impulse, she rusf
Al. 4,