The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-04-02
Z, r,nlAnre WORSE hv attcn

ain hearing. After Sharpless hal
g.ven away, Duncan found that an eX-
.osion of anger does not always clear
lie mental atmosphere; and at time
vhen he fert the pressing need of cool
cad and deliberate judgment, he couli
% nothing but walk the floor and call
own anathenas upon the head OF the
fender. Believing no word Of Sharp
IS story, he yet hadta vague fear thai
something was amiss with Thorndyke;
and he was glad enough when, late In
the afternoon, Protheroe rode up to
the farmhouse. Duncan's first ques'
ton was of Philip.
81 supposed he was here; he hasn't
zen in town for two days. came by
,e hotel and brought these letters,
linking that he might want them"
4 great fear seized upon Duncan.
Robbie, man, are ye sure he didna go
New York this morn?'
81 don't think he did. They said at
he hotel that he hadn't been in since
lay 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 its place,
nd he began another battle with he
,vincible caution. Meanwhile Prot
~oe improved the silent interval b.
wing to learn from Elsie's face wliat
he thought or cared about Thorndykc's
disappearance. Much, every way, he
concluded, when Duncan spoke again.
"Robbie, lad, the times come
when I'm in sair need O good counsel.
Ye Wilma lat yer place max ye boggle
over a bit O advicc?"
"With the town company, you
mean? I discharged myself this morn
ing; but if I hadn't it would make no
difference where I could be of service
to YOU"
1.-THE guide Lord be thankful" ex-
claimed Duncan, fervcntly; and then he
proceeded to relate in their proper Or
der the incidents in the history of Kill
grows wrong and Thorndykc's quest.
ending with an account Of the attor-
ney's visit to the farmhouse. Protheroe
listened attentively, and he was ready
with his answer when Duncan finished.
"Sharpless lied" he said. "Thorn-
dyke wouldn't turn the case over to the
company, nor would he abandon it Jus.
as he had pot the wl;n hand of his or
ponents. They've spirited him out OF
the way so they can scare Kilgrow into
cheap settlement; and Sharpless came
to you because he didn't know where
to find the old mountaineer."
Protheroe spoke to Duncan. but ne
kept his eyes fixed upon the face of the
young girl, who sat eagerly listening.
He was trying another experiment in
physiognomy, and the result was not
altogether comforting.
''Ye dinna think they'd harm the lad,
do YEP"
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 Thorndyle
better than do; would he be likely tc
go peaceably?"
Duncan shook his head gravely. .s'Na
Tn thinkin' he wouldla Go that; he
g mair than likely to gle 'em deal :
lronble."
The experiment was cruel one, hu.
t'rotheroe continued it unpityinglv
In that case you car judge Tor yoursclf
by what was done Cay before yestcr-
day. Sharpless is thoroughly unso u.
nulous; and Thorndylle could send him
10 the penitentiary. It's kidnapping al
the best, and it may be something much
worse"
The engineer found the result of his
experiment and his own punishment in
he 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 il
which he had unselfshly set their feet.
Protheroe lad Rugged his ideal, play.
ing the heroic part of the -minde,:
over who generously eifaces himself
2 order that the object of his affectiose
" be free to walk in path of &c
=. n choosing. It was an un;oyou
ask, this that he had set himself, ard
was Inundated by the conviction
speated and emphasized every time he
aw Elsie, that it gained nothing 4
iadsomeness with the lapse Of TIM.
ouch case, absence seemed to be il,a
roper emollient; but when Ounce
esAed his help, he said nothing abodt
;going away, and entered heartily into
ne farmers plans for warning Eilgrow
and for beginning an immediate searc,,
or the missing man. It was agree
Eat the young engineer should try Il,
ACE Thorndyke from Glenco or Al,
sooche while Duncan made iou1noe
20 the Pocket; and when the iarnc,
had departed on his errand, Prothcrco
turned back to the house for q 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. ard
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 more
to you than the possible danger of a
friend?"
"Yes. much more" The frankness
OF her reply staggered him. cit was
who sent him into the danger. He
ne said was res,,ons;hlo