The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-10-08

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~ sne passed out OF s4sll, sne reeled
and would have fallen, but Anthony
Strangways was there to catch the
fainting woman.
Il knew this would happen. I'm
only relieved that she took her call,
he said to the stage-manager. .Her
understudy will have to go on for the
last act. She'll be no good"
In the managers room Bonholt
Hume had found his voice at last.
she's mad woman-not fit to be
at large! These monstrous accusa-
tions levelled against a man like me!
shall put the matter at once into my
solicitors hands-they will know how
to deal with such infamous libels!"
he cried, in thin, quavering voice.
The manager, who knew nothing of
the rights and wrongs of the case. and
cared less, was feeling too much badg-
cred and worried by what had taken
place, that might cause disastrous
Reorganization on this important
FIRST night" to have any particular
sympathy for the grossly libeled Mr..
Hume. He wished to Heaven Hume
had never come near the theatre, and
said so without much ceremony. He
could have torn his hair. He rushed
off in the midst Of Mr.. Hume's ex-
cited protests.
Presently Anthony Strangways came
into the room
Mr.. Hume had found decanter of
whisky; he had drunk half a tumbler-
full of the spirit neat, and he had him.
self more in hand now. But as Strang-
ways entered Bonholt seemed to peer
nervously past him, as If afraid he
might not be alone. He seemed reas.
sured when Strangways closed the
door.
HAS this woman, this protegee of
yours. suddenly gone mad?" he broke
out, watching the other mans face
furtively. could anything be more
monstrous than this preposterous
charge? She must have lost her rea-
SOM"
Strangways shrugged his shoulders.
"Was it your revolver that was
found in the river, which the bullet
taken from Philips body fitted?" he
said abruptly. disregarding the words.
Il heard a rumor before Miss Van.
stone spoke Of it tonight"
"And II 1t were-the revolver had
passed out of my possession long be-
fore poor Philip met his end! Good
heavens. Strangways, you don't mean,
you can't mean"
Il mean nothing; know nothing"
said Strangways, dryly. AS he spoke.
the thought was in his mind of that
first visit he had paid to this man
after Philips death; he remembered
how Philips portrait had been re-.
moved from its place on the wall; he
remembered one or two odd things
connected with that visit. TITS all
very unfortunate-and I'm sorry you
came behind. won't ask you to stay
now. The managers tearing his hair;
and must get back to the stage. You
must excuse me. You can find your
way out? Good night"
Bonholt Hume made half-move-
ment forward, as If about to hold out
his hand.
Anthony either did not see the ges-
ture or deliberately ignored it. He
turned with curt nod and went out
The shaking, white-faced man, left
behind in the room, caught his breath
sharply.
Then he suspects. tool" Bonholt
whispered to himself voicelessly. Gle
suspects, tool"
AS Anthony Strangways strobe back
to the stage. this not too scrupulous
man was saying to himself, as though
his conscience pricked him:
I'm Heavens name, why did I ever
consent to keep the truth from this
girl about the validity Of her marriage
with Philip? Goodness knows I've
suffered compunctions enough since!
And il I'd as much as suspected then
/. '. we'll, at any rate, she shall
know now that she really was Philip
Hume's wife!"
In front Of the curtain the agitated
manager was making an announce
ment to the audience. that in view
of Miss vanstone's sudden illness her
part in the remaining act would have
to be taken by her understudy.
CHAPTER XII.
I
Il . 70