The Irish standard., 1897-02-20

lnWycfS HeaQ as long as the 1atteI was
within hearing. After Sharpless had
driven away, Duncan found that an ex-
plosion Of anger does not always clear
rhe mental atmosphere; and at time
when he felt the pressing need of cool
head and deliberate Judgment, he could
do nothing but walk the floor and call
down anathemas upon the head OF the
offender. Believing no word of Sharp
less story, he yet hadess vague fear that
something was amiss with Thorndy ke;
and he was glad enough when, late 10
the afternoon, Protheroe rode up to
the farmhouse. Duncan's first ques-
ton was of Philip.
II supposed he was here; he hasn't
been in town for two days. came by
the hotel and brought these letters,
thinking that he might want them.
A great fear seized upon Duncan.
"Robloie, man, are We sure ne dldna go
to New York this morn"
81 don't think he did. They said at
the hotel that he hadn't been in since
day before yesterday, and they'd know
It if he started on a journey this morn
ing. Let me see those letters; no, he
hasn't been there; most of these are
postmarked Yesterday"
Duncan's fear was dispelled, but a
new one came quickly to take it's place,
and he began another battle with his
inyincible caution. Meanwhile Proth-
eroe improved the silent interval by
trying to learn from Elsie's face what
she thought or cared about Thorndyke's
disappearance. Much, every way, he
concluded, when Duncan spoke again.
"Robbie, lad. the times como
when Tn in sair need o good counsel.
Ye Wilma lat yer place max we boggle
over bit O advice?"
"yvith the town company, you
mean? I discharged myself this morn
ing; but if hadn't it would make no
difference where I could be Of service
10 YOU"
"The guide Lord be Thankful" ex-
claimed Duncan, fervently; and then he
proceeded to relate in their proper Or
der the incidents in the history of Kill
grows wrong and Thorndyl<e's quest,
ending with an account Of the attor-
listened attentively, and he was ready
with his answer when Duncan finished.
'Sharpless lied," he said. s'Thorn-
dyke wouldn't turn the case over to the
company, nor would he abandon it just
as he had got the whip hand Of his OPP
ponents. They've spirited him out of
| the way so they9can scaresKilgrow into
| a cheap settlement; and Sharpless came
to you because he didn't know where
10 find the old mountaineer." r-
Protheroe spoke to Duncan, but he
kept his eyes fixed upon the face of tie
young girl, who sat eagerly listening.
He was trying another experiment in
physiognomy, and the result was not
altogether comforting.
do ye?"
! 81 imagine it would depend upon cir
cumstances. The object would be to-
get rid of him until they could treat
with Kilgrow. You know Thorndyke
better than do; would he be likely to
go peaceably?"
Duncan shook his head gravely. INA,
lie mair than likely to gle 'em a deal O.
trouble"
The experiment was cruel one, but
Protheroe continued it unpityingly.
''In that case you can judge for yourself
by what was done day before yester-
day. Sharpless is thoroughly unscru-
pu}ous; and Thorndyke could send him
to the penitentiary. It's kidnapping at
the best, and it may be something much
worse"
The engineer found the result of his
experiment and his own punishment in
the expression Of horror that crept
over Elsie's face when his Inference be-
came plain. It hurt him more than he
cared to admit.
All through the long summer, while
Philip and Elsie were apparently jour
neying hand in hand along the road in
which he had unseltishly set their feet,
Protheroe had Rugged his ideal, play
ing the heroic part of the high-minded
lover who generously effaces himself
in order that the object of his affections
may be free TO walk in path of her
own choosing. 1t was an unioyous
task, this that he had set himself and
he was Inundated by the conviction,
repeated and emphasized every time he
saw Elsie, that it gained nothing in
gladsomeness with the lapse of time.
In such case, absence seemed to be the
proper emollient; but when Duncan
asked his help, he said nothing about
going away, and entered. heartily into
the farmers plans for warning kilgrow
and for beginning an immediate search
for the missing man. 1t was agreed
that the young engineer should try to
trace Thorndyke from Glenco Or ALA
cooche while Duncan made a journey
to the Pocket; and when the farmer
had departed on his errand, Protheroe
turned back to the house for final
word with Elsie.
She was alone in the sitting-room
when he entered, standing at the win.
dow which looked out upon the road.
He saw that she had been crying, and
he went to her quickly and took her
hand in both of his.
Can say anything to comfort you
before go?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"What is it, Elsie? does it mean moro
to you than the possible danger of .
friend?"
Eyes, much more" The franlSness
Of her reply staggered him. 1T was