Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-09-02

She thinks they make me happy. and l
would rot for the world undeceive her.
Since the seizure had in the autumn, l
cant bear the light and the buzz Of talk in
the drawing room: so after dinner come
here and work until ten, when l take an
hours rest"
All. we must cure all that. Ask Lady
kildonan to take you out with her on her
drive to-day, and you will sleep better to-
night. I'm sure"
But she finds me such a dull compan-
ion. She will be going with one of the
girls. 1 expect
Ask her. and say suggested your go
ing. In fact, spoke to her about it, and
think you Will find she is delighted at
the possibility of being able to give you
pleasure and do you good at the same
time
you spoke to her? All, I am glad.
And she seemed pleased, did she? Well,
that has done me good already" said
Lord kildonan, and his hand shook with
pleasure as he held that of the young
doctor in farewell grip. II wish you
were going to stay in the neighborhood,"
he continued. II should like to see you
again."
Il am quite at your service whenever
you please, your lordship. DR.. Peele has
asked me to stay here and assist him."
HE has? Well done. Then l shall
see you again, and before very long.
think Peele sticks too much to the tradi-
tions-a little old-fashioned, you know.
He never would make any pretense of lis
tening to anything said about my wife
always ran away, You know. Now. one
likes to be listened to when one has any
thing on ones mind"
1t was long but a pleasant walk back
to Branksome. Armathwaite went by
the longest way, round the head of the
lake and through Mereside, with the dis
tinct wish in his heart that he might catch
glimpse of Mrs. Crosmont, or at least
that he might pass near the house where
she lived. For this beautiful lady with
her mournful eyes and unhappy history,
he had conceived devotion as strong as
it was chivalrous; and regarding himself
as her fate-appointed champion, he held a
fixed and superstitious conviction that the
service Of which DR.. Peele had spoken
was to be rendered her by himself. In
the meantime the feeling she inspired in
him was SO reverential that he refrained
from taking the higher road by which he
would have passed close to her house, and
scarcely dared to glance that way when
he reached the point where the higher and
the lower roads met. When he reached
Branksome he had to pass the station on
his way to DR.. Peele's; but no sooner had
he done 50 than he retraced his steps, and
going straight through to the platform,
found himself face to face with Alma
Crosmont. He raised his hat, but showed
no surprise, and neither did she.
Are you going away?" he asked, in a
low voice, all thought of addressing her
with :ommonplaces disappearing as he
noted the utter sadness Of her expression.
mo" she answered. 1T is Uncle Hugh
who IL going. My husband has sent him
away" =
She could only just breathe out the last
words, her voice failing her entirely, and
her under lip pitifully quivering. Arma-
thwaite famed into wrath, and splutter-
ed out indignant intersections half aloud.
She looked up at him and laughed little.
I'VE knew you would be sorry, too"
she said, holding out her hand to him.
Uncle Hugh pretends he doesn't care,
and it's all right, and Ned and shall get
on better when he's away. But we
sha'n't. He's just gone up to say good
by to Millie. I'm rather jealous Of Mile
with him, you know"
And she looked mournfully away again.
At that moment the elder Mr.. Crosmont
came out from the ticket Office; he was
ostentatiously cheerful, and resolutely
bent on making the best of this new turn
of affairs. He made Alma sit down to
rest, while he carried of the young doctor
for talk. Uncle Hugh was overjoyed
to learn that Armathwaite thought Of re-
manning in the neighborhood, and began
eagerly to explain to Tim the position of
affairs.
1.-THE fact IL, Ned maje up his mind to
give me notice to quit long time back. -
he said. "But saw his little game, and
was 20 lamb-like, for the little ones sake,
that he didn't know where to have me till
last night. when he came home in a vii
famous temper. and pitched into the poor
child for being extravagant. Now you've
seen good way into the ins and outs of
things up at Ned's, and want you to be
q friend. as far as you can, to the little
one while I'm away, 20 it doesn't matter
II tell you little more. don't want
to say word against my nephew: he's as
good lad at heart as ever lived, hut he
hasn't been quite at his best of late, and
he's taken to being so very close-fisted
that it's all the little one can do to man.
age with what he gives her. She's never
had new dress since she was married !;
though. luckily, DR.. Peele gave her such
q handsome trousseau that it doesn't mat
ter. But though you can manage like
that to dress on nothing you can't keep a
household going on nothing, and that is
what Ned seems to be trying to train her
to do. I've done what little could. 1
needn't tell you; but I'm not rich man,
and the trifing driblets I've been able
to pay have not been much good. And
now it will be awfully hard for the child
to fight the debts and the duns alone"
And what does he do with his money !?
Surely he must get decent salary from
Lord Kildonan? He seems to have a lot
more confidential work to do than man
in kis position usually has"
We'll. he says his lordship has the de-
feet Of his nation. and expects him to
make great show on very little.'
but it's onOUgh to live unon snroIr -