Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-02-20

my brother was found lying on the
floor a pistol wound in his head.
know all that, but know much
more"
If you knew more, why did you
not tell 1t to the coroner when he
was here?" demanded Mrs Dalrymple,
coldly. Her tone was firm, but her
lips lost their ruddy hue and mute ter
ror filled her dark eyes.
Il had good and sufficient reasons
for Withholding what l knew" de-
clared Dalrymple, dryly. Il deemed
1t wiser to tell you first To be frank
with you, l will say that my brother
came to me yesterday morning and
told me that he had learned certain
facts concerning your conduct before
and since your marriage. He had
made an investigation and was salts
fed of the truth of what he had heard.
From what he told me of his inten-
tons concerning your future, l am
sure he neither laughed or joked with
you when he returned home. |, there
fore, believe you misrepresented mat
ters that far to the corner"
Even if this be true" retorted Mrs.
Dalrymple, her courage returning with
the hope that this was all her brother
in-law knew, would you have had me
reveal these matters to be banded
about through the papers? I should
think your family pride would shrink
from such a scandal"
You did not conceal your real con-
versation with my brother out Of re-
gard for our family pride" he re-
turned, quietly. 1t was done to save
yourself, yet | thank you for it. TO
proceed, the sound Of a pistol shot
on the second floor may sound like
the crash of an unfastened shutter to
those il the kitchen, but it would
not sound SO to any one in room
not ten feet away Why did you
not investigate the strange sound in
stead Of ringing for a seryant?"
Il was doing at the time, and
could not determine from whence the
sound proceeded Mrs. DalIymple
averred a note Of triumph in her soft
ly modulated tones. IF l had been
awake l would undoubtedly have
known that the sound came from Ed
wards dressing room"
Perhaps so,' returned Dalrymple,
in tone by no means reassuring. Il
have one question to ask, however.
Why did you place my brothers PTS
tol close to his hand as the servant
left the room to summon a physi-
cian?'
Il didn't! 1t is false" stammered
Mrs. Dalrymple, but her actions dis
proved her words Her head fell for
ward on her breast, her hands drop
ped nervelessly by her side, and she
trembled visibly under the storm of
proof that her brotner-in-law had hurl-
ed upon her
You did, William Dalrymple had
risen and lowered above her Shrinking
form like an avenging spirit His
tones were cold and stern without
trace of pity. "You sent Nora for
doctor, and as she left the room, you
drew my brothers .pearl-handled re-
volver from your bosom, and placed it
50 that the world would think he had
committed self-destruction You kill
ed him!"
Mercy. Mercy" she walled, fall
ing upon her knees and clutching his
hand in the agony of terror Have
mercy and | will do as you wish.
Only don't send me to prison cell"
Dalrymple drew back from her as
if her touch polluted him. Il shall not |
send you where you would receive
your just punishment" he said, quiet |
Iy, "if you do what l wish The pride |
Of the Dalrymples alone saves you !
from the fate you so richly deserve. !
The faint of suicide is hard enough to |
but the trial and execution of |
one bearing our name would trail our |
pride in the dust. For this reason,
will not diyulge the truth if you
agree to my demands
But Nora" gasped the guilty WON
an, TREMENDOUSLY. "Sne will tell, and |
t will come OUT
Il have provided for that" replied |
Oalrymple, coldly. Nora is an old
servant of our family, and is dis
erect. To make sure of her silence,
have agreed to pension her for the
est of her life. and. at her death,
rive a certain amount to her children, |
n the event of her maintaining per.
letual silence. My brothers prop
srty is devised to you, as You prob
IDLY know. You may take it without
my objection Oh my part if you leave
IS soon as the funeral is over and go
o Europe, assuming your maiden
lame, and promising never 10 re-
urn to this country or to use our
lame in any way. If you do this and
adhere to it, you may go free, with
only your remorse to haunt you. II
gou fail to do it in any particular
you shall be prosecuted and
punished"
Il will do what you wish" faltered
Mrs. Dalrymple. Il will never come
hack to this country. will do any
hing to save myself from the penalty
Of my crime"
Very WELL" exclaimed Dalrymple,
81 shall send my brothers