The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-10-05
truders. don't wish you here. In
ciSf that van laavo F.

| truders. I don't wish you here. in.
sist that You leave"
I'm moment" said Godfrey
again. "Or I'll compel you to-" and
she made a motion toward the pillow
OF the bed.
"Oh. no, you won't. Miss Kingdom"
protested Godfrey easily. I'VE won't
consent to be shot at any more to-
| night. We have some business here,
and we're going to stay till it's COM
will you kindly tell us what 1t was
awakened you? Please believe that VIC
| shall be glad to be Of service to you.
! fear you're going to stand in need
Of us before long"
She hesitated, still looking at him;
but there was no resisting the stern
kindness of his eyes, nor doubling that
his warning was In earnest.
II came home about half an hour
ago. she began, 'or perhaps it's long
er than that"
Was your sister expecting your"
mo; I had intended to stay with
Mrs. Lawrence all night. But found
wasn't needed, and so came home"
THE side door was unlocked?"
Yes. and that surprised me for q
moment"
Was your sister here at the timer.
"She was in the yard-she came IN
q moment later"
which Miss Kingdom intercepted.
wasn't she in the yard?" she de-
manded. What is this mystery"
Well tell you In a moment" said
Godfrey; but please let us hear your
story first. You had been. you say,
at the Lawrence house?"
Yes; Mrs Lawrence has been very
a Ina
had been sitting with her until she
went to sleep. / met Mr.. Lester there.
earlier In the evening" she added, and
cast me a half-mocking glance.
Yes, he told me- said Godfrey.
He's been having an exciting time to-
night. Were you with Mrs. Lawrence
Yes; spent the entire night with
her."
Again we exchanged a glance.
And you say that you expected to
stay there again tonight?"
Yes. but my sister hasn't been we'll
for the past two days. So as soon as,
Mrs. Lawrence fell asleep and I found
she wouldn't need me, hurried home,
/ found Harriet very nervous and ex-
cited. and finally persuaded her to take
a. soothing draught and go to bed. r
was so tired that fell asleep almost
at once. and knew nothing more un-.
til l was awakened by what seemed to-
be kind Of drumming on the head
board"
She stopped, shuddering. We, too.
had heard that drumming!
Yes, said Godfrey. Your bed. I
see. is backed against the closet parti-
tion-tight against 1t. 1t no doubt
makes a kind OF sounding board"
II suppose that's 1t. felt for Har-
riet and found she wasn't there. That
q a IafI mo 10 mo ra han nA
| that drumming, and sprang out Of bed.
lighted the lamp. and rushed to the
closet TO find that she had"
The words ended in sob, which she
tried in vain to repress. Godfrey bent
again over the figure on the bed.
she used what is evidently cur
tain cord" he said, Don't look at her,
Miss Kingdom. The death is an easy
one, whatever II may appear"
But why did she do it?" demanded
Lucy Kingdom. why should she get
up in the middle of the night. like that,
and hang herself? What impulse
was it"
She stopped suddenly, regarding us
fixedly, her face livid. her eyes agleam.
1T was you!" she cried hoarsely,
pointing an accusing finger-she heard
you in the cellar-you frightened her
you drove her to it,"
That's nonsense, Miss Kingdom"
broke in Godfrey sternly, ''and you
know it. How could we drive her to
suicide?"
What was it, them" she demanded.
1--WE had enough of this mystery"
Godfrey looked at her keenly.
You really don't know?"
She shook her head, staring mutely
up at him, fascinated by the purpose
in his face.
she was deeply devoted to Miss
Lawrence wasn't she?'
Yes"
More devoted than you?"
A sudden flush overspread Lucy
Kingdoms face. giving place in mo-
ment to deadly rallor.
Perhaps" she admitted hoarsely
but that had nothing to do with II.
That was no reason!"
mo-" assented Godfrey; mot in IT.
self But 1t was at the bottom OF it,
for 1t led to something totally pnfore-
SEEN" ~
rt rse saarc sPsa fair m shs said
Pardon me-" said Eodlf@y instant
ly. Il don't want to- unfair. Come,
with me and I'll showyou the cause Of
this act; Bring the imp. Lester
Together we crossed he kitchen to-
s ss SG ssa whsh that t. tss
Kingdom shrank back aS1ittle as she,
saw where we were taki9g her. But It
may have been only my fancy. Ger
tainly she followed pfomptly enough
when Godfrey %started down.
At the foot he bau4ed.
you've not beed dawn here for some
days I take ~, MIS- Kingdom he
asked. &V III
tcontinusd Mex. Week,
INFAMOUS Race.
From the Travel Magazine.