Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-09-22
CHAPTER XIV.
A BATTLE OF WITS.

l saw the swift spasm OF hatred
which crossed her face, as she recog-
nized me: / ever fancied that her fin
ger frightened conVulsively upon the
trigger, and 1 braced myself for the
shock: But she did not fire. Instead,
she lowered her pistol with a grim
little laugh.
$50, it's you'll" she said, and stood
looking at me, her lips curving ma
liciously.
Yes" I answered. who did you
think it was?"
"Oh, 1 don't know. A burglar, per-
haps."
You seem to have been prepared for
him."
II always carry this pistol when I
go back and forth through the grounds
at night"
And know how to use It, I dare
say"
Il think I'd be able to defend my
self"
Tn sure Of It. Do you often go
back and forth at night?"
It's sometimes late when I get
through here"
But this time" I pointed out, "you
weren't leaving the house-you were
returning to it,"
us that any of you ~business?" she
asked, her eyes beginning to CLEAN.
Perhaps not" I admitted.
And yet you're capable of making
a mystery out Of It," she sneered.
Let me relieve your mind-T'm stay
Ing with Mrs. Lawrence. She sleeps
badly and wishes me near her"
And your exits and entrances are,
l suppose, usually by the Window"
IT'S the most convenient way"
Mrs. Lawrence doesn't object, then,
to your leaving It open?"
IT don't leave * open"
You did Just now"
She looked at me a moment without
replying, then laughed a short, little
laugh OF mingled amusement and vex-
alton.
I'm leave you to puzzle It out, I
think" she said. You're so ingenious,
you'll surely hit upon the explanation.
l scarcely expected to see you here
worth while to return?"
Yes; there are one or two points
which are not quite clear"
And you expect to make them SOP"
she asked, with a hooking smile. How?
BY lurking around the house like a
thief, and following women"
There was something in her tone, her
look, her attitude, which caught my
attention-a sort OF confident triumph,
as Of one who plays for a higher stake
and wins. She was no longer anxious
and perturbed. as she had been the
day before-nay, that very morning.
She thought 1t safe to flout me openly.
so you convinced Mrs. Lawrence
that you and your sister were not
guilty" asked. But Of course you'd
do that"
Guilty of what?" she demanded,
flushing darby.
Guilty Of causing Miss Lawrence's
flight" I answered bluntly. "Of wreck
ing her life"
DO you believe THAR"
II know I'll"
She laughed sc%ornfully.
You know a great deal, It seems"
More than you think" I retorted,
She flushed again, and bit her lips
to restrain their trembling.
Though there's one thing l don't
know" I went on, determined to strike
home, If l could. IT can't imagine why
Miss Lawrence should have chosen
your house as q place Of refuge. She
must know that you hate her-that you
waited, like a snake in ambush, for the
moment when the blow would pierce
most deeply; h must see that you
are using her to avenge yourself
A sharp click Interrupted me, and I
found myself in darkness. I heard the
closing Of a door, the turning Of a lock.
When, after a moments cropping along
the wall, I found the electric button
and switched on the light again, I saw
that the door leading from the library
to the hall was closed. I tried tit
was locked,
Good night, Mr.. Lester" called a
low hooking voice from the other side.
Please turn off the light before you
! GO, and close the window after you.
Another thing-Pd advise you not to
disturb my sister again tonight; 1t
would really not be safe. And I hope
you'll let me know when you succeed
In clearing up those little points you
were speaking of-Pm immensely In
terested in them,
She laughed again, and I heard her
footsteps die away down the hall.
Feeling absurdly foolish, / switched
| off the light, and left the house. Plainly,
Lucy Kingdom had ceased TO fear me.
She believed that she had won the