Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-10-07
CHAPTER XIII.

tCIIiUIy 6ITdlQ.
This woman, whose passionate de-
nunciation OF him on the stage of the
theatre seemed in q moment to have
mined the ground under his feet, had
seen him on the night OF Philips
DEATH
The very unexpectedness OF her &C
cusing words had taken him unawares.
He had never dreamed that she could
have seen him on that night when
startled by her appearance on the
scene Of his crime a moment after he
had fired the shot, he had crouched
in hiding behind that great monolith.
She had given no sign of having seen
him-probably, as he realized now, in
her half-delirious state she had hard
ly been conscious of the face peering
from its hiding-place, that must never
theless have unconsciously imprinted
itself on her mind; and though Bon.
holt Hume had avoided her since. he
had felt treasured that she could not
have seen him.
Would her story be believed?
In his room at the hotel that night,
lying awake almost till dawn, unable
to sleep, he had debated that ques-
ton: would her story be listened to?
Surely her long silence would help
to discredit this wild story--and Mat
thew Bland, who knew SO much, who,
II he spoke, could put a rope about
his neck. would be safe out or the
country, out of reach. II only that
revolver had not been identified as
his; that would strengthen Olive Van
stones story, of course. Though he
had strenuously denied knowledge OF
how 1t had come to be in the river,
had denied having seen the weapon
for months, he was far from sure that
the police believed him. He had won
dered for days If he were not being
kept under surveillance.
What was he to do? That recurring
question beat again and again across
his mind, through those long night
hours when sleep would not come.
Now he decided upon instant fight,
now he determined to brave 1t out,
since with Bland out OF reach of ques-
ti0ns there was only an hysterical
woman's word. Was not his word as
good az hers!
Not until the dawn was breaking
did sleep come to the tortured man,
q broken. troubled sleep of an hour or
two. When he rose, looking horribly
III and haggard, Bonholt Hume was
still in the grip Of INDIGESTION. Fear
was at his elbow like tangible pres
ence, whispering panic-counsels Of
flight
But he had little money about him,
and flight would bring suspicion to
head: there would be an instant hue
and cry.
At last he decided that he must re-
turn home and put bold front on 1t.
Matthew Bland would be already on
the sea; this woman's uncorroborated
story was not proof. Her very adj
mission that she was on the scene OF
the crime would look suspicious. He
must return to Wildfell for the pres
emit, At any rate; this would give him
the opportunity Of getting money. to
be ready for flight at moments no.
tice. For the present, even II there
Was suspicion. he told himself there
could be no proof.
Il was late In the day when Bonholt
Hume reached the Old Hall. He had
not gone to Fellsgarth Station--his
nerve had failed him; he had driven in
! cab from = station I'VE miles distant.
A. the servant opened the door he
put : question to her. trying to con-
troll his voice.
Has anyone called whilst I've been
nway!"
Yes. cir; the police4uperintendent
from Fellsgarth. He asked when YOU
would be returning. No one else, cir.
There IRE soma letters on the library
table.
Why had the superintendent called!
The words hnd sent 1 stab Of fear
through The guilty man, whose nerves
Wore o. TIE rack. He walked INSTEAD.
M Into The library and dropped heavi-
" into chair.
presently Ne rose and walked Over
b y mirror o. ne VAN, - the thought
Qnxae suddenly - him that ne servant
hnd atared cslrfously Il him - she
oDened IN door. N the gathering
6uak q ~ room M white. haunted
l1co hooked back " him from the
r1nne - chanGod. very different face
x0m ne Sherubic, benevolent coun-
eonnnce th1t Ia besn = welltknown
80 popnlar r. a. ytllaee. The stght |