Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-08-30
CHAPTER v.

George Bostock was eager to hear
Mrs. Dumbarton's account of the event.
Not that he needed words of hers to
confirm his belief in her innocence-of
that none was more certain than he
but he was impatient to hear how it
came to pass that she was found in a
position and under circumstances that
conveyed an idea of guilt.
Veronica, likewise, longingly awaited
this narrative, which she felt certain
would prove a complete vindication of
her mothers innocence.
when you had left last night" Mrs.
Dumbarton said, turning toward the pub
Usher, who sat at little distance, his
grave, anxious face expressing interest
and sympathy, II took up the book which
had arrived by the last post and began
to read. Feeling hot and feverish, I
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
if some distressing sight presented it
self to her vision.
How long did you continue to reada"
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
ize what had happened figure darted
through the open window and stood
within the roonl-a mans figure, whose
actions were frantic, as II he were
stricken with madness or made desperate
from pain. At this sight screamed, then
paralyzed by terror, remained speech
less and motionless.
II saw that the man before me was
my husband. Scarcely had | 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, cxpectant, until, over
coming my terror and the sense of repul-
sion that filled me. stood beside him,
when for the first time l saw saw a
knife had been thrust into his breast.
"As yet there was no sign of blood,
no forewarning of death; my sense of
dread was underlined. The sight of his
white, haggard and distorted face APP
pealed to me through all. and 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 l did blood grshed from the
wound upon my hands. upon my dress,
and lie moaned as if stricken anew. I'm:
able to grasp what had happened, | bent
over him, to see his eyes grow CLASSY
and his face become livid Then / knew
he was dead.'
"Of what happened afterward I was
but dimly conscious" Olive Dumbarton
continued. Gas one sees 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 a
fresh sense of horror and heavy forebod-
ings of i'll fell upon my senses, and
remember no more"
"Did YOU see no one else-no second
figure pursuing him?" George Bostock
| asked, his anxiety plain to witness.
NO"
"And he mentioned no name-spoke
no word that would lead you to know
or suspect why he had been murdered
"rhe 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
II have no doubt" George Bostocl
said, with the object of cheering her
that the truth regarding this unhapp,
affair will come out-that is, that til.
truth of your innocence will be proved
God grant that it may" she cried
'but l cannot fail to see that my danger
is great" &
"You are not guilty" he answered
deeply moved by her words and the pair
with which they were uttered. "Surel,
that can be proved"
"Only by discovering who is" she re
piled promptly.
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