Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-08-12
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
From the very first step he made inside
The outer hall, with its oaken nail-studded
door, tcsselatcd pavement and diamond
4 paned windows. Armathwaitc felt that the
atmosphere of this sl,ick and span man
y sion was az different from that of the
notwithstanding, rambling old house in
which he had passed the previous night
III light from darkness A great fire
burned in high tiled fireplace. square
brass lanterns hung from the roof. and
the sunlight s.rcamcd through stained
( glass, and made the arn,or shine and the
tiles Of the fireplace glitter. until the in
conner was dazzled whichever way he
locked.
Lady ki!doaan dar,ed through the
Marie Antoinettc curtains with the grace
ful agility which recalled to Arma-
hound, and leading him along passage
which was evidently reproduction of a
convent cloistcr. opened the door of one
Of the rooms with an arch pout Of peni-
tentinl occurrences.
For what we are about to receive"
che whispered, and sprang into the room
Ike ray Of sunshine.
It wns the morning room. entirely in the
taste of fashionable London room, with
Brentwood furniture and h-bctasseled
cushions. Japancse vases and Japanese
screens, reed curtains aud dried bulrushes,
with nm antique" cabinet, and lot of
Nttlc tireS0mc tables, laden with objects
81 no value 10 the owner or to anybody
else. Half dozen figures sprang up like
jacks in the box from different parts of
the room as Lady Kildonan came in, and
Armnthwaite recognized each individual
by 4 hasty sketch he Ind received from
his hostess on their way hither. Lady Kill
DOMAIN. after 4 few words to everybody,
and glance round the room In apparent
search for some one who was not there,
went TO take her hat Of, leaving Arma-
thwaite to the tender mercies Of circle
whose powers of entertainment his hos
tess had not maligned. He passed the
time endurably until Lady Kildonan re-
entered the room and carried them of to
tennis in covered court at the end Of
the cloister. This was a spacious place,
sumciently warmed by hot pipes, with q
high glass roof and carpeted gallery at
one end, from which the non-players could
watch the players luxuriously in lounging
chairs and low seats.
Lady kildOnAn. who was far better
player than anybody present except Arma-
thwaite. but bad playmate for the poor
girls, - they looked ill-shaped and clum-
~ beside her. ran up into the gallery to
rest after half an hours play, and calling
the Joang doctor to her, was chatting
merrily with him when they both caught
sight Of man standing half-hidden BY
the plants Ii the conservatory.
Ned" cried Lady KiIdonan, springing
NJ with dash Of excitement.
Edwin Crosmont came forward, sullcn
md silent. She stood looking at him for
8ons moment: then, with hasty apology
to Arnaathwaite and an anxious express
MON IN her eyes. she Joined the agent,
and they walked away together, affecting
To stop from time to time to gather leaf
Or smell flower. hut evidently intent on
some exciting subject Of talk. Arma-
thwaite. who was sitting at one corner
ct the gallery where he could look both
into the conservatory and into the court
below, saw them disappear together be-
hind the central grove Of camellias and
othar tall plants. ard tried to interest
hlnaelf IL the game going on below. just
~ = little excitement was caused in the
court below by the entrance Of . tall man,
very much wrapped up, and wearing blue
spsctaclss. whom the rest greeted as
Lord kildonan," he suddenly heard the
voice Of Lady Kildonan in tones of pas.
senate excitement.
tell yOu you must insist upon her
staying. Use any means you like, but
make her stay. Am nobody? Are my
Wishes, Il my life. nothing to your"
Into Armathwaite's mind rushed the re-
msmbrance Of the poor lady who had saw
"a his life, IA 1t seemed miraculously, the
previous night; and even before he could
af1ne with. himself whether or not he
should listen to this talk. which might
prove to throw some light on the mystery
Of the unhappy wifc's position, he heard,
after . whispered answer in the mans
voice, the lady's clearer. shriller tones.
n IL you are tired Of doing my pleas
ure, can soon 6nd somebody else tor
Another short, angry. inaudible speech.
Then Lady kildonan's voice again.
Well. and haven't made use of doc
tors before now? Answer me that!'
CrOsmOnt said something, to which she
replied Ia, whisper. having apparently
been warned that she might be overheard;
and Armathwaite caught no word more,
though faint tones Of their voices came to
him from time to time for the next few
minutes Presently they both Joined him
where be still sat watching the group be-
low, and Lady Kildonan, who seemed al.
ready to have recovered her usual man.
ner, told the young doctor that he must
come down and be introduced to her hus-
band He followed her down the narrow
iron staircase into the tennis court. where.
breaking 40 the group which surrounded
her husband, shc tripped gaiiy to him, and
slipping her Arm within his, told him abe
had brought q visitor to see him, who was
alinest NJ learned as himself, and intro
duced Armathwaite, who was stupefied
with surprise. both at the appearance Of
his ht,st and the manner in which the lat.
ter srccived him.
3 Instead OF the cross-grained withered-
looking person he had been led By descrip-
rlun to expect. he saw tall. road-shoul-
dered. fresh-e0lorcd man. with scant
sandy hair and plain Scotch features that
seemed to shine with an expression of