Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-09-09


it would have to be answered truthful
"; the girls unexpected coming had
overthrow all his plans. A few hours
respite, and he could have kept her
no less than the world generally In
ignorance of the plot that had been
laid In train weeks ago behind the
barred gates of the Grange; but he
knew IT would be useless to attempt TO
deceive her now-she would inevita-
bly, discover the deceit practiced. He
would have to make clean breast OF
the truth he had partially suppressed.
Miss Strangways." he said, slowly.
not giving direct answer to her ques-
f'er Il suppose 1t never occurred to
~. that your father had very def
mite motive In urging that you should
SO away from the Grange when you
did? know how deeply he felt part
Ing from you. but he sacrificed his
own feelings. though he felt, as
felt that he would never see you
ag1in-
Then why did he send me avayr
the girl broke out, passionately. "Oh.
/ didn't want to leave him; II was
cruel to send me away"
But 1t was for your sake; your
father wanted you never to know what
your unexpected return today makes
It inevitable that you learn now" said
DR.. Brewer, In a lowered voice. They
had come into the house, and he had
shut the door of the room before an
swering. Your father had set his
heart on Pride o. Life running and
winning: he was convinced that 1t
could win, and SO much hung on its
winning. not for himself, but for you.
He had backed the horse heavily. He
had . foTeboding, well founded as I
knew, that he would not live till the
day Of the race. only he had deter
mined-and he had made me promise
to help him-that whether he lived
till the race or not, Pride o. Life
should run. to win back Of his lost
fortune something to leave to the
daughter he loved"
But" cried the girl. still not under
standing. since his death would make
the nomination for the race void Pride
o. Life could not have run in that
case"
That was why he was determined
that IL he died before the race his
death should be kept a secret from
the world; and we had discussed every
detail, guarded against every contin-
gency, in order that Pride O. Life could
start in the race As it happened, the
task left to me was rendered far cas-
Ter than expected, for your father
did not die till late last night. To me
It Is amazing that he lived SO long. It
was only his iron will that kept him
alive. The cruel irony Of It'll" he
broke out with sudden bitterness
that he did live to within few hours
Of the race-to within sight Of the de-
sired goal! That, had he lived even
less than another day. there need have
been no deception at all a
It is-well, Pride o. Life ran, as your
father determined 1t should--ran and
wont"
They walked out Of the room, the |
girl not speaking; DR.. Brewer un-
locked the baize door by which the
wing occupied by Ralph Strangways |
had been shut on from the rest OF |
the house. The doctor and Margaret
5trangways. whose white, strained
lace showed the stress Of poignant /
emotions within her. passed through
into the room where the man who
once before had masqueraded as her
Iather. deceiving Bonholt Hume and
The detective, jumped to his feet.
startled at tbs sight OF her.
Miss Strangways!" he cried.
It was not ten minutes ago that the
ioctor had come in excitedly with the
news that the dead mans daughter
VA on her way home: but II had
leemed to both Of Thorn that hours
must pass before she could arriyea
respite which would enable his fel-
ow-conspirators to form : plan to
meet this unlooked-for contingency.
Brewer had left him, to flnd the nurse
No vas also In the conspiracy: then
{ would haye been given out that
aalph Strangways had died quite sud-
lenly. And hers was Miss strans-
NayY!
Then r was Jon. M. Lathom, who
Helped "a this lfes" she said.
Margaret Strangways could not keen
~ bitterness Of her feelings out 81 /
ler voice. The horror 81 the thing
'eemed to catch her BY the throat /
Iwept over her overvhelmingiy her
afher lying dead. and the cheated
'rowd cheering n iImpostor. And she /
~ been cheated. too.
lack Lathcm Inclined His head. Tho /
'ltuation seemed too difacult Tor
vor6n.
Ihen sho turned on the doctor Win /
Yehe1aenco ~ passion.
Why must you ada the furth- /
4 Insult - mockery ~ bringing IN
leople g. ~ ~ lawn u cheer when
Az 1ather Nv dad when % Iii IL
aate - purposes Pride y LIE hnd
q pon efncs 4 only IN Il, the racs
\ fapd q
~ y continued.)
raIse ~ conrlo