The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-08-20
5
ThI ou8h q W oman 5
Heart.
Heart.
S@S$5SS$SS$SSSSS&
By Sidney Warwick.

i T. u 10
should have belonged to him. How
was it discovered that it was his?"
Stephen told Lathom how the wea.
pom had lain for weeks in the drawer
of his writing table; that at last he
had thrown 1t into the river. OF the
suspicious interest that the man he
now knew to have been the owner of
the revolver had manifested in that
locked drawer. the rector did not
speak. When he made his statement
to the police, it would be his duty to
tell them; but no good purpose could
be served by telling 1t now.
$50 it seems after all, Ruthen, that,
though you suppressed these facts, it
would hardly have cleared me if you
had made clean breast of every
thing" Lathom said at last, looking
at the rector's face. 1t was almost
lost in the shadow, but Lathom saw
that there was an agony of shame and
remorse written there.
"Jack!" cried Hilda, swiftly-"but
won't this discovery about the revolt
yer clear you of susricion?"
He shook his head.
I'm afraid not, though no doubt it
will help my case. You see, If Miss
Vanstone came upon Hume lying dead,
we have still to discover who his as
sassin was. Probably the police. who
don't like to be proved wrong, will
persist that was the guilty man;
possibly their line of argument now
will be that Bonholt Hume's revolver
was in Philips possession-that
wrested it from him in struggle
and shot him. Still, Ruthen, you will
tell them what you know?"
eyes; l have only waited that
might see Miss Vanstone. 1t seems
only fair to her that l should tell her
what she is as yet unconscious of
how I found her on the scene of
the tragedy, and warn her of my In
tention. Tomorrow l go to London
to see her; then Immediately shall
tell the police all know"
odd that it should be Bonholt
Hume's revolver" Lathom said,
thoughtfully. "If it wasn't that we
know how devoted Bonholt was to the
dead man" He did not finish the
sentence. Suddenly, on an impulse,
he held out his hand to Stephen.
'Ruthen," he went on, quietly, LESS
than five minutes ago l thought
should never touch your hand again;
only-well, think l understand how
you must have felt. II don't know
that shouldn't have acted just the
same if had been in your place.
Stephen took the outstretched hand;
he could not speak-something caught
in his throat. Hilda still stood aloof,
with hostile eyes. She could not for
give her brother SO easily, and some.
thing of her feelings Lathom OWNED
from her face. Still holding Stephens
hand in his, he held out his other hand
to Hilda in the deepening dusk of the
room-and in the shadows he. joined
their two hands together.
They had almost forgotten the pres
ence of the blind man, who had stood
a silent listener throughout the rec
tors confession. He was the first to
break the silence now.
HarK! WHAT'S tnat!
The window of the drawing-room
at the back of the house, framed a
vista of the dim garden, from which
the blind mans quick ears had sud.
denly caught the sound of a cautious
footstep. The next moment a figure
appeared outside the window, and
gave low familiar whistle.
tits Freddy Thornton!" cried La
thom; he felt little surprised that
| Thornton should have made his ap
| pearance in this fashion, almost as
though he had known that the fugitive
was here in this room. What luck
that he should have turned up to
night"
Lathom went out quickly to oper
the garden door to admit his friend
it was several minutes before he came
back into the room with Thornton
they had paused outside, speaking ii
hurried whispers.
I'VE have been neglecting Mis-
Strangways shamefully."' said Lathom
"And she must be growing impatien
to be starting with so long a journe,
before her. Stephen, may I run up t,
your room for a washJove, need it
1 -before I go. whilst you return Il
Miss Strangways?"
I AS the men went to rejoin Mis-
Strangways Lathom drew Hilda bac
into the room; he held her. in hi
arms for q moment close to him.
Sweetheart" he whispered, "w
may not be- able to snatch anothe
precious moment together before "
have to part; but after this, revelatio
Of Stephens leave you with O. ne,
hope that our parting il not for long
i that happiness is waiting for ua q
some not far distant bend Of the road
This clue may lead to the tracing Z
\ the real criminal" e
; They stood for Z space ii the din
Locking After Business. 3
! Il like this nat very WELL she said
~ will be very glad to rent. i Z