Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1910-03-17

Jen's sense of the reasonable. inde-
pendent of the GROWING horror of the
missing corpse. At this juncture the
much-needed aid came from without.
David Sarby rushed into the room.
He was half-clothed, pale as the
white dress of Isabella Dallas, and evil
IDENTIFY, from the wild look in his eyes
and quivering of his neither dip, badly
scared. Stopping short a few PAGES
from the door, he held up the lamp
which he carried, to survey the aston
lshlng scene before him. The sight of
Jen t~ongue-tied and immovable, of Is
abella weeping on her knees by the
bedside, of the bed itself vacant of it's
dead ~occupant-an these things were
calculated to shock even stronger
nerves than those of David Sarby.
Nevertheless, after a pause of sheer
astonlshment, he managed to stammer
out a question.
Dld-did she cry out?" HI asked,
nodding towards the girl. Il heard a
Shrek"
His presence and question unlocked
the Majors tongue.
YES, he replied, in a hesitating
manner, as of one unused to speech.
she came to the library window ten
minutes ago, having escaped from the
custody of her mother and Dido. Quite
hysterical, as you see, and bent upon
seeing our poor lead lad. To pacify
her L brought her here, but, as you
See-''
The body is gone!" cried David,
hurrylng towards the bed.
Gone! gomez" moaned Isabella, ris-
ing. oh, my deal dead lover!"
"~Jaggard!"
Ihere!" said Jen, pointing to the
inanimate form of his old servant.
We must alarm the house." cried
Sarby, in a Mortified tone, and there
upon walked swiftly towards the door.
Before he could reach it the Major.
having recovered his presence of mind.
seized him by the arm.
NO, no." said Jen, hastily. DO not
bring anyone mere as yet. We must
think of this poor girl, DAVID. Take
her home at once. When you are both
out OF the house l shall give the alarm.
You understand; no one must know
that Miss Dallas has been in my house
at this hour"
Il quite agree with you" said Da-
vid, simply; n turning to Isabella,
he took her gently by the hand. Come,
Miss Dallas. This is no place for YOU"
Maurice" muttered Isabella, looking
%piteously at him..
Maurice is not here. Come, Miss
Dallas; let me take you back to your
mother"
MY mother is so cruel" said Isabel
la, in a low tone, and I feel so i'll"
she continued, raising her HAND to
her loose hair. Yes, yes; 1 must go
home. But Maurice-my dear Maui
rice
I shal tell you all about it to-mor-
row." answered Jen, soOthingly, and
led her out of the room. AT the pres
ent moment YOU must go home with
Mr.. Sarby. David, there is a loose
cloak of mine in the hall. Wrap it
round her and come in the library. 1t
is best that she should leave in the
way she came"
David did as he was told. an6
snatched up his old ulster after wrap
pAAS NP St'DO4ISt LII lIIc library InGY |
found the Major reopening the shut
tiers of the window, which he had
closed on the girls entry. When he
flung them wide, a gust of mind blew
inward, sprinkling him with moisture.
Rain" said Jen, drawing back. "All
the better; there will be no spies
about, and YOU can take Miss Dallas
home without being observed"
Taking the girl by the hand, David
led her towards the window. She was
in a ~half-dazed condition, the result of
the strong excitement which had i'm
PEELED her to make this midnight visit.
and her nerves being thus dulled, she
surrendered herself passively to the
guidance of David. Only at the win
dow did she pause, and look stead
lastly at the Major.
you must find out what has become
of my dear Matrices body" she said,
quietly.
L promise YOU" replied Jen, with a
look of stern determination in his face.
Ito be continued.)