The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-01-23
CHAPTER SIX (Continued.)

over at once; there may be some
thing we can do for the saddened
ones
"Thank you;" and had a mar
BILE statue been given vocal pow
ers the effect would have been
much the same.
Dear FRIEND" continued the
unabashed visitor, 81 know how
overcome you must be-"
II am not overcome at ALL"
said Pauline, rising, and deter
mined to hear no more; land |
must beg to be excused, Mrs.
rockingham, as I have many mat
ters to attend to this morning"
"Ah, yes, of course you have.
We will not detain you. The
Count and / merely called for a
moment to inquire"
Eyes, | quite understand. Miss
Frayne will be pleased to answer
your inquiries. Thank you both,
and-good morning
With a polite but distant bow
Pauline left the room; and, as
Count Charlier sprang to hold the
door open for her, he after a mo-
ment' s hesitation followed her out.
"A moment, | beg, Miss Stu
art" he said as they reached the
hall. You are offended at Mrs.
Frothingham's intrusion, but have
/ not a right to call? Was / not
such a friend Of Miss Darlington
as to justify this tribute Of re-
spect to her memorya"
Certainly, Count" and Paul
Inc grew a shade kinder, "but |
am not sufficiently acquainted
with your friend to receive her
visits"
"Ah, no. That is conceded. But,
/ pray you, tell me of the sad af-
fair. | have heard no details.
That is, unless you would rather
not"
mo, I am not unwilling. You
were a good friend Of Aunt Lucy's
was fond of you, and | am
glad to talk to some one. Let us
sit here" Pauline indicated a re-
cessed seat in the hall and the pair
sat there. She recounted briefly
the story of the tragedy and the
Count was duly sympathetic. Paul
inc watched him closely, and dis
cerned great interest but little
grief or sorrow.
"A burglar, of course" said the
Count hearing Of the cruel weap-
on. aHow could anyone attack
the charming lady! And the mar
velous jewels she worel They
were, of course, stolen?'
No; that's the strange part.
They were not"
"Ah, how splendid! and his
absorbed air Of satisfaction gave
Pauline a thrill of disgust at his
coldsbloodedness. And now they
are all yours9 Those magnificent
gems7"
NThe property, most Of it, is
divided between my cousin and
myself
Your cousin9 Mr.. Haviland2''
No; he is a distant connection.
I mean my first cousin, Mr.. Loria,
now in Egypt"
All, yes, / have heard Miss
Darlington refer to him. He will
come home7n
I do not know. We have
cabled, Of course. Count Charlier,
do you remember hearing my aunt
say last evening that she expected
something to happen to her9"
remember, Miss Stuart"
Have you any idea what she
meant9
But how could / knowf
Answer my question, please
The Counts eyes fell, and he
shifted his feet about uneasily. AT
last he said: It is not pleasant
to say such things; but, since you
ask, I may be permitted to assume
that the late Miss Darlington had
9 regard for my humble selfs
And she expected, she--hoped
that her regard might be re.
turnedf
It may be so.
land that last night you nigh,
tell her SOL
you honor me-.
ID you tell her soi
did not, Miss Stuart. Wlla1
might have happened had shs
lived 4 cannot say, but I did no
last evening say any word to Mis-.
Darlington of my aspiration t
her HAND,
Did you say anything tina
could have been taken as@a hin.