Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-05-30
CHAPTER XVII.
THE VEIL is LIFTED.

OF haste. My head was in u whirl. So
FRANCES Holiday was not really the
daughter OF the dead millionaire. The
thought compelled a complete readjust-
ment of my point of view. or course.
she was legally his daughter: equally
OF course. this new development coul
make no difference in my companions
feeling for her. Nothing. then was
really changed. She must go back
with us. she must take up the old life
Eut l had no time to reason 1t all
out.
We had reached the beach again. and
We turned along it in the direction OF
the cliffs. Far ahead. / saw Il man
hurrying in the same direction could
guess at what agony and danger TO
himself. The path began to ascend,
and we painted up it to The grassy
Gown. which seemed to stretch for
miles and miles to the northward.
Right before us was a little wood. in
The midst OF which l caught a glimpse
OF = farmhouse.
We ram toward 1t, through n gate.
and up the path to the door. 1t was
closed, but We heard from within a
mans excited voice-a sonar voice
which l knew We'll. l tried the door;
IT yielded. and we stepped into the hall.
me voice anne from the room at the
right. 1t WAS 10 time for hesitation
we sprang to the DOR and entered.
Marti"ny was standing In the middle
OF tie floor. fairly foalnins at the
mouth. shr!ehing ou commands and
im~precatiois mt two women who cow
cred in the farther corner. The elder
one / knew at Il glancc-tlle
my heart lcapca as l looked at her
Wis II MISE ff~OfIaday"! No. yet strange
ly Ike.
nc saw their startled eyes turn past
MN to us. and swETg sharply round.
For an Instant he stood poised like a
serpent about to strike. then l saw his
eyes fix In a frightfu. stare. his face
turn llvid. ana with IL %strargied cry he
fell back and down. Together we lifted
MIN to the low wirdow seat, pursuars
ana pursued alike. loossaed his collar,
chafed his hands. bati,ed his temples.
ala everything we could think of do
Ing; but he lay the:e s;ari.S at the cell
ing with clelcaed teeth. At last. Royce
bent and laid his err against his breast.
Then he arose IL turncd gently to the
oma
IT is no use" he said. He is dead"
1 looked to see t,cm Vince unle. the
blow; Il they did not. The yol,,cer
woman went slowly to the window and
stood there sobbiny quietly: the other's
race ut up with IL positive bln2e of Joy.
5 o she exclaimed. in that low. vi
Drant voice l so well remembered. "a,
he is dead. That treaohcrous, cruel
heart has burst ut last,'
Royce gazed AT her Il n in as
constituent. She looked not at him.
but ut the lead man on the window
seat. her hands clasi ng and unc.asp-
in-.
Madame Alix." he said at last. won
know our errand-we must carry it
out
She bowed her head.
II know 1t, monsieur she answered..
But for him. there would have been
no such GRAND? As 1t is. | will help
you all l cam. Cecile.'' she called to
the woman at the window. no and
orlns Your sister to these Gentlemcn."
The younger woman dried her eyes
and left the room. We waited IN tense
silence. our eyes on the door. we heard
the sound OF footsteps on the stair: Il
moment. and she was on the threshold.
n came ill slowly. llstlessiy--it gave
me a shock to see the pallor of her face.
Then She glanced up and saw Royce
standing there: she drew in her breath
with Il quick gasp. a great wave of
color swept over her cheeks and brow.
9 great light sprang into her eyes.
oh. John!" she cried. and swayed
toward him.
He had her in his arms, against his
neart. n the glad tears sprang to my
eyes as at them. l glanced at
the elder woman. n saw that her eyes
were shining and her lips quivering.
And l have come to take you away,
my love-" he was saying.
oh. yes take me away" she
sobbed. before the other comes"
She stopped. her eyes on the window
seat. where 1.-THE other" lay, and the
color died out Of her cheeks again.
ne. at least. has paid the penalty
said Royce. He can trouble Won no
more. my love-
She was sobbing helplessly upon his
shoulder. but as the moments passes
grew more calm. and at last stood
upright from him. The younger woln-
an had come back into the room. and
was watching her curiously. with no
trace of emotion.
Come let US co. said the girl. I'VE
U lake the first boat home"
But Royce held back.
Then there has been a crime COM
mttted." he said slowly. we must
see h a 1t Is punished"
"A crime? oh. yes: but 1 forgive
them. dear"
The crime against yourself you may
forgive: but there was another crime
-murder-"
There was no MURDER" burst In
Cecile Altx. Il swear 1t to you. mon
sieur. Do you understand. There was
no murder"
saw Miss Holiday vince at he
Others voice. and Royce saw it, too.
.ust get her to the inn." he said.
This II more than she can bear
fear she will break down utterly.
DO you stay and get the story Lester.
Then we'll decide what 1t is best to
do"
He led her away. out Of the house,
and down the path. not once looking
back. I wached them till the trees hid
them. and then turned to the women.
Now" I said. Il shall be happy to
hear the story"
1T wa that nan wonder who was
the cause Of It all" said the mother.
clasping her hands tightly In her lap
to keep them still. -Four years ago
he cana from pnria hera to nnAnd ~