Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-07-08

screening the culprit.
Before the finding of the weapon In
the river yesterday and this new point
of view that had presented itself tc
him, Stephen had made up his mind
that his silence must end.
Now the way had been made easier
for that belated confession by the con
viction that he had misjudged Olive
In his thoughts. Yet he still shrank
from going to the police until he had
seen her-had told her of what he
knew OF that nights tragedy, of his
determination to make clean breast
of 1t. He realized that the police
might take different view from his
own; the shock of the news must be
broken to the woman by him, not be
| put bluntly to her by the police of how
she had been found with that weapon
| In her hand by the side of a man lying
murdered.
It was possible that when he told
Olive some chord of memory might be
stirred in her mind; she might remem-
Der the events of that night--remem-
Der how she came to have in her hand
the revolver that beyond question
caused Philip Humes death.
Now, fortunately, he had a clue by
which he could trace Olives present
whereabouts. Strangways and she.
had Travelled together by the Lon
don train; Strangways must tell him
where he could communicate with
Olive.
Il must lose no time in seeing her,
and then / must tell the police"
Stephen Ruthen told himself. He did
not know Strangways' address, but
that he could find out.
Bonholt Hume had not yet returned
to Wildfell. When he was interro-
gated respecting the revolver by the
police on his return. what explanation
would he have to offer?
Again and again 1t had required In
Stephens mind how he had caught
Bonholt prying into his drawer in the
study-the drawer where that revolt
yer had lain. What other motive
could the man have had but to search
for that weapon, the action of man
pricked by guilty fear? It was that
odd fact which gave an ugly look to
Bonholt Hume's ownership OF the re-
volver, II owner he was; and Thornton
had been positive in his assertion.
Mr.. Hume returned to Wildfell that
day; Stephen Ruthen Unexpectedly
encountered him in the village that
afternoon.
Hilda was with her brother: they
were walking down the street when a
corner Of the road brought them face
to face with the benevolent-looking,
white-haired man who had been so
much in the rector's thoughts. Steph-
ems first impulse was to walk on with
out stopping; somehow he thought |
that he found recurring again and |
again In his mind since the revelation
Of the ownership of the revolver made |
him conscious of little sense of
shrinking constraint.
But. Mr.. Hume stopped.
All, Miss Ruthen, am glad to run
across you" he said, his face beaming
with its most benevolent expression.
4 have been away from home: got
back at noon today. And have
brought hack some news for you"
News" echoed the girl. There
vas something significant In the
speakers tones, and sudden excite
nent flashed into her face. ~You
mean you mean about
Hushs" said Bonholt, looking
luickly round him, for in her excite.
nent the girls voice was raised. Eyes.
bout Lathom," he added, In low
0nes.
For moment Hilda had to support
lerself By her brothers arm: she felt
lerseif trembling all over. News at
Ast Of Jack Lathom. after the misery
Z those weeks Of silence that had
ragged wearily By since that hrief
toaen interview with the man she
oved after his night from the police.
'ince those moments OF agonixed sus-
ense when he had passed out OF the !
ectory under the very eyes Of the no
ce Who had tracked him there ana
ne stood waiting tensely with I
readful fear 1t her heart, not daring
, look from the window, hardly dar-
" e hope that the desperate ruse
reddy Thornton had suggested a
q one chance Of escape would suc- ,
- listening to the measured tan.
- A4< 80 - tAnuFa