The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-10-05
CHAPTER XVII.
TRAGEDY UNFORESEEN.

again to experience: stared down
the deepening hole, with the cold
starting out across my forehead
ne thought OF what any instant
ht reveal.
ain Godfrey dropped to his knees.
was conscious of q face growing
9th his hands, almost as II he, were
nc n out Of the darkness. Clearer
cIearer It grew, as he brushed
! the clinging clay; then he stood
with a little sigh OF mingled hor-
and satisfaction.
ring up at us was a face-not a
San's face--not Marcie Lawrence's
hut a mans face, ford, heavy
ed with a black moustache; dead,
not calm in death, but contorted by
5eous grimace, as though chuckling
satisfaction.
hiss Lawrence may, indeed. have
Ia on the Umbria," murmured God
after moments silent contem-
on of the CHASTITY countenance.
had every reason to fiee-to the
husband herei"
could find no word to answer; my
LAT was dry. contracted: | felt that
las suffocating. So this was the
let! No wonder we had not guessed
bne can easily build up the story"
on Godfrey, IN a voice carefully
red. "She came here called by the
desperate, ready for anything
y even 10 kill the devil who'd writ
II. For he was a devil, Lester
at his facet"
was In truth, repellant enough
bly repellant now with that trium-
hi lecr upon it--cold and hard, with
lines about the mouth; bloated
too marked by dissipation and
iality. l suddered at the thought
Marcia Lawrence may have once
in his power-that he had tried
rag her down from her sweet girl
Einnocence--
Ie deserved it," l said hoarsely.
deserved it--and nore!" :.
es," agreed Godfrey, mo doubt he
II she was ever I'm his hands, she
have suffered the torments OF
fell silent moment staring down
he face.
But don't understand" / burst out.
FITTING for a moment to lower my
p; Il can't understand"
bdfrey laid his hand sternly upon
lips.
Eeither do J." he said; but don't
bt like that"
pc words recalled me suddenly to
nse of our danger.
Ned better get out Of this" l whis-
ID.
es-and as soon as we can. Wen
to call in the police. Besides"
dded grimly I've got to get off
story and It's getting late"
he story" | echoed, suddenly sick
Ieart
20 far as l know it, Lester. There
be no doubt about this body,
|pose?"
curious sound behind me. as of
Pc painting for breath, sent a sud-
chill through me. ! raised the
and sent beam OF light
eplng about the cellar. 1t rest
Por an instant on a face peering
IS around a corner of the wali--a
so distorted, SO demoniac. that II
ned scarcely human. Then there
Hash OF flame, report. and
torch crashed from my hand.
Pe gust Of acrid smoke whirled
my face.
felt Godfrey clutch me and pull
down beside him into the half
grave: l even fancied that I
Ened the staring face which lay
re. In an agony Of horror i
ggied to free myself, to stand
p, ready to brave any danger
er than that. but he held me fast.
spered. III she fires again. III RI
her." and knew that he held
revolver in his hand.
pont do that" I gasped. "Don,t
that! You've no right to do that"
have the right to defend myseIf."
Prted Godfrey grimly, and waited.
muscles tense.
ut she did not fire again. Instead.
Re was a long, unbroken silence.
Png which, 1t seemed to me I could
my hair whitening on my head. I
became conscious of a singing
ppness In my right hand. Minute
n minute passed, and still no
pa came from the outer cellar. /
that IL the silence endured a
.nent longer. / should shrek aloud.
lie STILL" whispered Godfrey. at
4 ana I'll try to find the torch.
she hit your"
ply hand feels numb"
Let me see." and l felt his fingers
Ehing 1t softly here and there. ITS
a scratch. | think. But wait till
nd the torch"
heard him cropping about for it:
Tor time all was still again.
pueniy. from an angle of the wall,
mart OF light shot about the cellar.
~as empty.
All right, Lester" said Godfrey's
IT,, Let's have a look at the
got up unsteadily and went to
J. moments examination showed
my wound was indeed only a
stcn. The bullet had grazed the
* OF the hand and struck the wrist
Re glancing blow.
wen have 1t dressed as soon as
can, said Godfrey. And now the
Y thing Is to get out OF this place
". Cur enemy Is probably lying
|"alt Tor us with a loaded gun at
Top OF the stairs. BY the way,
Lsht only the merest glimpse OF the
Y, Did you recognize it,"
l said; 1T was the elder
booIrey gave little whistle.
- looked positively devilsh," he
= AZ gave me the worst scare
4 nad Tor a long time. Did you
bee the eyes. how they glared at
! es. said, and shivered little.
= confess ] don't IKE the thought
SONG up those stairs" he went on,
tnere's no other way out. This
Vows too small. So wen have to
rnse II: Give me your hand"
s.retcned out my uninjured hand.
an instant we were in darkness,
I knew that he had exc hanged
torch fof. his revolver.