Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-07-08
Revenge
b 4 6 Wy THoRNE
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Sweet i revenge, especially to a
woman. Lord Byron.
/ CHAPTER Viii Continued.


4 friends, You must not imagine that my
present action is dictated by any I'M
kind feelings toward you. 1t simply
means: that could not bring myself,
for several reasons, to die in a railway
station waiting room; and there are
/ other reasons, which you are doubt
{ less by now well acquainted with, why
could hardly, at the present time,
quarter myself for this last moment or
two upon any of my regular friends.
do not, moreover, belong to one
4 OF those institutions known as ladies'
clubs, nor do ! approve of them. I
have, therefore, taken the great lib
erty OF arriving here while you were
8 out, being let in by your valet, who, of
course, knows me. You will remem-.
Der that and my niece have been to
I tea with you On two occasions My
motives for suicide you can, doubtless,
make "a guess at. I will not enlarge
upon them here Believe me, dear Mr..
Grant, yours very faithfully,
-" Augusta Decies.'
Grant passed the letter to Marriott.
. Z I u ~
He read II. Then together they look
cd at4 the grin, cynical death mask
before them.
She must have chuckled as she
wrote that letter." Grant whispered.
D She was a terrible woman. There are
dark secrets in her life. She has out
witted us all. She has done her work
her foul work in Kidnapping the
duke. She has destroyed all traces
by which we can find him, while.
silent and mocking to the last, she has
gone beyond the reach of all mortal
hands. or all human laws
They stood there in absolute silence
once more
Both started like frightened hares.
The key was being put into the latch
& Of the front door. 79g
y Then they heard the door open and
some ono enter, whistling to himself.
I It was the valet who doubtless inn
i aginedS himself alone in the fiat.
Michael called him. 5..
ISL The noise ceased at once, and the
man hurried into the room.
Il beg your pardon, sir" he said. Il
thong And then he stopped.
The horror IN the chair confronted
him.
What Is the explanation Of this?"
Grant said. You see, Miss Decies is
here. She has killed herself
It was some & minutes before the
man could speak His eyes seemed
bursting out OF his head, his teeth
clicked like castanets. When at last
he found words his voice was a whine
Of dismay
zee 81 was Just leaving the fiat, sir; In
fact. had already closed the door
about an hour and half ago when
Miss Decies came up from the landing.
{ or course, Il knew her, sir. for the aunt
OF the iluche the aunt of her grace
the Duchess Of London.
Miss Decies said that she wished
I to write note upon an important
matter ana then she would wait ten
I minutes on the chance Of your coming
back. provided the lady with the
= necessary requisites, sir. and then she
I insisted upon my going out.
u can manage very well by myself,
Parker. she said, sir. Though even
then Isshould not have gone, sir, had
abe nsa been almost psremptory about
it.' 4 H ]
He Atopped. The story was simple
& enough No blame attached to him.
Won, you see what has happened,
Parker What dreadful thing has
4 happened Grant said. 90 down at
Il once, TIL the porter to come up; then
telepho one to the nearest police station
ana the nearest doctor
The man hurried away. "
Grant turned quickly to Basil. still
holding the paper.
That are we to- do r. he said, point
lnR toS Il. terrible responsibility
III III us. The scandal Is enough
B alreadS that Affects the house OF our
riend {. should We not destroy this r.
think not Il. 4 the sailor answered,
ia misch lief lis done already !. It is
II lncst Impossible that these happen.
II ings can De kept from the press. lie
olsictd IL can have but one meaning ~
Il III the direct conse qnence 81 the disap
Il pearance az the duke Keep6it to pro
sct y sirself
AZ the Ouch ess IN Grant whisper
ile the look s. A pain and terror