The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-12-28

4 II Lady Towers noticed MabePs ef-
forts to keep the one-tlme lovers apart
that evening, she observed them even
more clearly next day. 1t was Christ
mas eve, and real Christmas weather.
All day the snow had been falling and
the cole was piercing. No one could 60
out. Mabel had perseveringly stuck to
Constance all day. Even when their
| hostess asked Vincent to show Con-
| stance the priests room, as the secret
chamber was called, Mabel instantly
begged leave to accompany them, al
though h was a notorious coward,
and a declined to go with the others
on a previous visit, on the ground tfA At
she hated dark and uncanny places"
For the priests room was said TO be
haunted. So Lady Towers decided to
make the fourth. The secret room was
In the picture gallery, and Vincent held
back the heavy sliding panel, while the
their skirtsIfrom the dust and cobwebs.
They had hardly made two steps for
ward when Mabel. with b loud scream
Of THE monk! The monks ghost!"
fell heavily to h ground.
Vincent rushed to her help, and the
panel sliding to, they were imprisoned
In the darkness. Mabefs screams grew
frantic.
Don't be silly said Flossie, dis
gusted. Roland and the boys know
where we are, and when we don't turn
UP in a reasonable time they'll soon
o US up"
mot in time to save my life!"
moaned Mabel. I've cut my head open,
falling. and I'm bleeding to DEATH"
"It does seen a bad cut" said Vim
cent in an alarmed tone. IL can feel
the blood soaking my coat as I hold
her."
I'm dying, I know I am" gasped
Mabel. "The ghost Of the monk came
to warn me. I can't die without con-
Tossing. Constance, Vincent didn't give
me the scarf pin you gave him.. ]
heard what he said to you thai day in
the conservatory, and I saw you put
the buttonhole on his table. / took It
and l told him you gave 1t to me be-
you wanted the man who gave
IT to you to understand o didn't care
for him. And I told you he gave 1t to
and grow to loNG me, but he didn't, and
I'm bleeding 10 death, and I can't die
with a guilty conscience. And oh, the
monk! the monk!"
Here Mabel went off into a series OF
piercing yells, which relieved her hear
ers' fears as to the danger Of her dy-
ing from exhaustion, and speedily pro-
cured their release.
Mabel was led off by her hostess to
have her wound, which turned out to
be a mere flesh cut, attended to, and
Vincent turned to Constance, and took
both her hands In his.
rs that true. Connie? Did you mean
to give me back my pinT"
The dark soulful eyes met his stead
lastly.
II did, and when I thought you de-
spised me, and had given 1T to Mabel
IT nearly broke my heart"
And she told me you had laughed
at me, and loved another fellow. My
darling, when o were a child, you
said, I Will give you the pin back when
/ love you again II you had 1t still
would you give It me now?"
The love-light shone In the beautiful
eyes still raised to is, and the sweet
tremulous voice thrilled him with rap
ture a. she answered:
II rave 1t you back two years ago
Vincent. l would give 1t to you again
now. For / owe you, dear"
And as he clasped her to his breast
he could only murmur In his deep Joy
MY little white rosebud"