Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-05-20
Through a
WOn1an'S Heart.
By Sidney Warwick.
BY Sidney Warwick.

1
from where the police were draggin
lay the revolver that he had take
from olives clutched fingers on tn
night OF the tragedy. 1t had no
needed the glimpse of the blind OF
ganist to remind Stephen Ruthen-
though 1t had been Grale's Whispered
words. startling him with the revela
tion that some one else at least sus
pected that he and the stranger won
an at the rectory knew something o
the tragedy, that had impelled Ste
phen to go straight to his study ant
take from the locked drawer that
weapon, where for three weeks 1t had
lain on the pile of sermon paper, and
| sink 1t where the river ran deepest.
And he had come back from dis
posing of that piece of evidence, to
see through the window Bonholt Hume
in his study, bending over that draw
err, empty now-yet which the rector
he left 1t. That discovery had dis
quieted him. Could 1t have been for
that revolver that Bonholt Hume was
searching-the weapon that lay now
in the sitting mud of the river bed be-
meath the moving iron drags of the
men in the boat?
! Stephen asked himself that ques-
ton, even az he listened to Bonholt
Hume's nervously glib explanation;
and the weeks that had passed had
not brought the answer. He thought
Of 1t now, as he walked along the tow
ing path towards the little group of
men interestedly watching the opera
lions in progress.
Among them, talking to an inspect
or of police who was directing the
work of dragging from the bank. the
rector saw Freddy Thornton. Thorn
ton, to judge from the tolerant smile
on the inspectors face, was kindly in
structing that Official how he, Freddy,
would have conducted the dragging
operations. Every one liked Thornton,
but even his best friends regretted
that he was so omniscent.
In the middle of his advice to the
inspector he happened to glance round
and see Ruthen. He came forward to
meet him.
"Halloa, Ruthen! / wanted to see
you; was going to call at the rectory
on my way back. Bad business this.
isn't 1t. about poor Ned? I've Just
been trying to persuade his wife to 60
home instead of watching the drags at
work, only she won't; she seems al
most distracted, poor body, though
from all accounts Ned used to lead
her an awful life. Women are rum.
aren't they?"
Stephen had already caught sight
OF Neds wife, feverishly watching the
men in the boat; one or two village
women were standing by her who
were offering we'll meant. if rather
tactless, sympathy, pointing out that
her bereavement might be blessing
IN disguise. that, after all, Ned had
been far from being an ideal husband
until Ned's wife turned suddenly on
them, with passion in her pale, tear
less face and babe them hold their
Whisht," to the surprise no less than
the indignation Of her would-be con-
solers.
BY the way" went on Thornton.
saw your guest, Miss yanstone.
last night, when / was seeing friend
on BY the late train to town: caught
a glimpse of her face In a carriage
window as the train was moving of
and rather expected to find you on
the platform, but couldn't see YOU.
Had no idea Miss vanstone was reay-
Ing you too soon."
stephen made some vague renly.
He would have liked to ask IL Olive
was alone, and, If not, whether Thorn.
ton had recognized her comnanion
But Freddy volunteered NO informa-
ton on that point.
Why wanted to see Won This
morning, Ruthen. was about Latbom
haven't been idle In that matter
can tell you!" went on Thornton. evil
IDENTITY full Of suppressed eagerness
And believe I've made discovery.
You remember that rather disreputa-
Die looking man who came to the club
the night Philip Hume and Iathom
had their row, and asked for Hume
under tho name Of Carr? Well. rye
traced him, which the police failed 10
90. and -halloa," he broke Oh. il sud.
den excitement, Il believe those chana
with the drags have found some
thing!"
The men IA the boat were rowing IL
the bank, shouting out to the fnanect.
Of. Not the grim object they were
searching fort was some small
thing that glittered for moment Is
the spring sunlight that the iron
teeth had brought to the surface q
the water. And swift suspicion
flashed across Rnthen's nina a he
and Thornton walked quickly 10 to
the little group of bystanders Who
crowding about the inspector il the
eager excitement Of this sudden dis-
coyery.
s revolver!" Stephen heard I
Foice exclaim. before be was near
enough 70 see what one 81 the per.
spring men ii shirt sleeves had
banded 70 the ofhcer.
But inetinctiyely before Is heard
the word spoken he had known vhat
the river had given up. 4 revoler,
4 Mas n this moment thak ss1shiratv
Ned8 hfmoelf n Ma Acnh .... -s