Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-12-17
The Mystery of
the Boule Cabinet
& u RTON E.. STEPHENSON
Copyright, 1918, by Burton E. Stevenson.
CHAPTER xv.-(continued>
Copyright, 1918, by Burton E. Stevenson.

She stopped and glanced at her
mistress.
"Continue!" said the latter. Tell
what YOU have to tell"
Il knew that madame also :.
cabinet gone. taken away, sold by that
she called at this house. night before
She stopped again. l walked over to
the window and stood staring at the
wooden shutter, strangely moved.
Well. why not?" she demanded
fiercely. and I felt that she was adj
dressing my turned back. why not?
Shall a woman not be loved? Shall a
woman endure what madame en-
That will do. julie broke in the
yelled lady. her voice cold as ice. Tell
your story"
Il knew of the secret draw; 1 had
seen madame open it; 1 knew what it
contained. But L was faithful to mad
anne; I loved her; 1 was glad that she
had found IN one Madame
will remember her despair, her horror,
when she entered her room to find the
cabinet gone. taken away, sold by that
L. too. was in despair desired
with my whole soul to help madame.
That night ] had a rendezvous with
him. and she nodded toward the pho
tograph which lay upon the floor. 81
told him.
Her mistress TODD as though turned
to stone. 1 could guess her anguish and
humiliation.
HI questioned me-he learned every
thing-the drawer, how it was opened
all. But did not suspect what was
in his mind-not for an instant did
suspect. But on the boat L saw him,
n then l knew. Well. he has got what
he deserved"
She shivered and pressed her hands
against her eyes.
Il think that is all, madame she
added, hoarsely.
1T is all of that story" said Godfrey.
in a crisp voice; but there is an
other"
Another echoed the yelled lady,
looking at him.
Ask her, madame, for what purposes
she called at this house. night before
last, and saw Philip Vantine in this
room"
Il did not!" shrieked the girl. her
face ablaze. 1T is a lie!"
She does not need to tell!" went on
Godfrey inexorably. ANY fool could
guess. She came for the letters! She
a resolved herself to blackmail you,
madame!"
Il come hoping to save her-to :"
a storm of angry sobbing choked her.
/ could see how the yelled lady was
trembling. L placed a chair for her, and
she sank into it with a murmur Of
thanks.
Besides. we have a witness to her
visit" added Godfrey. ''Shall l call the
police. madame?'
mo, no." and the girl sat upright
again, her face CHASTITY. Il will tell. l
will tell all. Give me out a moment"
She sat there, struggling for se%lf-con-
troll, her streaked II grotesque coun-
tenance contorted with emotion. Then L
saw her eyes widen. and. CHANGING
around: saw that Rogers had dragged
himself to a sitting posture, and was
staring at her. his face livid.
The sight of him seemed to madden
her.
1T was YOU she shrieked. and shook
her clencled fist at him. 1T was you
who told! Coward! Coward!"
But Godfrey, his face very grim, laid
a heavy hand upon her arm.
"Be still" he cried. He told us
nothing. He tried to shield you-though
why he should wish to do so -
Rogers broke in with a hollow and
CHASTITY laugh.
1T was natural enough. SIR he said
hoarsely. She's my wife!''