Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-01-24
A STORY OF

more magnificent, yet there was abou'
her-in her face, I'm the droop OF hel
tigure-such an air of utter misery, OF
exquisite suffering, that, after the first
moment. n forgot to admire her in
the desire to be OF service.
You wished to see me?" she asked,
IN n low voice.
Yes, Miss Croydon" replied Godfrey,
more gently perhaps than he had in
tended TO speak. This is Mr.. Lester
he added. who has been engaged 10
defend Mr.. Drysdale.'
She acknowledged the Introduction
with the faiutest of bows.
Il hope Mr.. Lester viii be successful"
she said. In the coolest of ones. one
would have thought her a mere chance
acquaintance Of my client.
/ saw Godfrey looking at her with
searching eyes. and his face hardened.
we meal to be successful he said
rurtly. You may as well ask us TO
sit down, Miss Croydon, because our
business here will taxi some time and
! am sure IT will tire you TO stand.
She raised her eyebrows with a lit
tie gesture Of astonishcd disdain.
Really" she began; then her eyes
met his. burning with meaning. oh,
gerry we'll" she said family, and sank
INTO the chair nearest her.
] felt my cheeks flush with %indigna-
don at Godfrey's manner; surely this
a enough to bear already!
] opened my lips TO protest, but he
sllenced me with a glance,
Now, Miss Croydon" he continued,
m the same coldly imperative tone,
II intend to speak TO % bluntly and
directly. We have beaten about the
bush too long ALREADY. | see that you
are not inclined to deal frankly with
us-you have not been frank with us
from the first-you have sought TO
blind us. to throw us off the track
Therefore / shall tell you what we al
ceady know, I'm order that you may
realize how useless IL is for you to try
10 hold us off. Were going TO see that
the guilty man is punished, not for this
crime alone, but also for that other
one at the Marathon, OF which you
were the only witness. You shall not
he permitted to keep him from justice
a day longer"
She raised her head inc looked at
aim, her face white as marble and as
tmmoble; but she did not speak. She
grew livid and more livld as he con-
watching him with starting
eyes, and at one moment I thought
she would collapse; but / did not know
her strength of will.
In the first place. went on God
evenly, never removing his eyes
from hers. I'VE know that this man
Slt4sllte lHNeiSleu your sister INTO a
schoolgirl elopement and marriage.
she was rescued from him; she thought
him dead; she married Delroy. came TO
New YORK; Tremaine followed her n
attempted the extortion OF blackmail.
you met him at the Marathon; While
you were talking Thompson interfered
and Tremaine killed him, escaping be-
the officers arrived. You did not
Thompson, but you saw Sim
monds and me take out his pocketbook:
you heard me read a line or two from
one OF n packet of clippings we found
there, n while we were in the bed
you took those clippings from the
body and hid them under the edge OF
carpet
she breathed a long sigh and sat
erect again.
An she said Will a little smile.
II Was beginning to fear you, all that
so supernatural. But now /
see where your information came
1T is correct. them asked Godfrey.
9 CLEAN of triumph flashing cross his
face.
SHE glanced at him in surprise.
:'Oh, | understand; 1t was merely
theorizing. Well, it was very cleverly
done. Mr.. Godfrey"
And it is correct? p" he persisted.
She hesitated yet a moment, but there
no denying the importantly OF his
Yes she answered; yes
Godfrey leaned back In mis- chair
with a long sign OF relief. He had won
the battle.
Miss Croydon he said. Pm going
to feMald you for your frankness by
telling you something which | had i'm
tended to keep secret a while longer.
juss to punish you. Your sister never
was the wife of Tremaine and has
nothing whatever to fear from him: he
never been anybody's wife but Mr.. Del
She was staring at HIN with widely
eyes. her hands clasped above |
her heart.
"oh, if 1t were really sol" she cried.
IF II were really SOL"
1T is so" repeated Godfrey, and took
q little yellow envelope from his pocket.
Read this" and he unfolded a sheet
of paper n held Ii toward her.
She took IL with trembling hand and
read the message written upon IL: but
seemingly without understanding il.
TITS a cable he explained, from the
Records correspondent at Dieppe. Your
pardon, Lester" he added with a fleet
Ing smile; Il forgot to show il to
you on the trip out. Please read ii
aloud. Miss Croydon"
THE widow OF Victor Charente.' "
she read in a low voice, died here
February u, 1901. Had never married
again She looked up. her brows still
knitted. Weir she asked.
well" said Godfrey, Victor Char
ente is the real name OF Tremaine. He
that girl many years before
nc met your sister. She was his egal
wife. Your sister never was. She was
never the legal wife OF anyone except
Richard Delroy."
She understood now, and the glad
tears burst forth understandable. In
deed she made no effort 70 restrain
them, but only rocked back and forth,
pressing the message against her heart.
THANK Cod" she sobbed. Thank
GoGi" and then she started up from her
chair. II must tell her she said. Fat
once. IL YOU knew how she has suf-
feredi She must not be left in thai
cruel position an instant longer"
Very WE'LL" agreed Godfrey. I'VE
viii walt for you here
She disappeared through a door at
the farther end OF the room. but in a
moment came softly back again.
she is asleep" she said. II Will wait
until h wakes. What a joyful aWak-
ing IL will bef" and she sat down again.
she wiped away the tears. but her eyes
We're stir shining. Godfrey gazcd at
her with IA face full or emotion
NOW, MISS Croydon ne began.
you've told me hat my throry's cor
rect. but tfere are three or Tour points