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

soiAS tAc NioAS way, uc SukSesteu,
glancing back at the few remaining
guests, who were hurrying in the opposite
direction, marshaled by Lord Kildonan.
who stood at the foot of the private road
and babe welcome to them all as they
passed him.
Alma listened in puzzled and dreamy
way, and again shook her head.
This is the way" she said, quietly.
And ought to know"
Something in her weak, faint tones, in
her dull eyes, struck Armathwaite, and
without another word he let her lead him
where she would.
CHAPTER XIV.
When they had gone about fifty yards,
Alma released her companions arm,
crossed the road towards the right, push
ed aside the snow-covered branches of
some tall shrubs which grew at the foot of
the hill, and reckoning to Armatnwaite
to come too, disappeared through them.
He followed, and found her at the bottom
of steep and slippery path which, shell
tered by overhanging shrubs from the
snow, vas wet, clayey, and as difficult
to ascend as a glacier. After few yards
it appeared to end in another clump Of
bushes; but Alma, who kept ahead with
out uttering a word, bore to the right,
skirted this growth through the snow, and
emerged, keeping her foothold with some
difficulty, on a little stone-paved resting
place on the higher side. From this point
zigzag steps, roughly paved with stone
and brick, led up the face of the hill, bear
ing still to the right, to point from which
fhnxv In,, ,..vlx% ~oI
yards above them, one of the red, pointed
gables of The Crags.
Armathwaite uttered cry of surprise.
Though certainly a very steep and, as it
seemed, an unnecessarily difficult way, it
bronsh: one to the house in about quar-
ter of the time that it took to 60 by the
road, and he was on the point of asking
Alma how she came to know of this path,
when he perceived that she had met with
an unexpected obstacle. Before them was
high wooden gate. flanked on either side
by long paling, which reached on the
right to an impassably steep slab of rock,
and on the left to somewhat distant
thicket. Alma had approached the gate
and mechanically pushed it, as if expect
ing it to open at her touch. But it did not
She pushed it again with more force; then
she shook it, but still without result. Ar
mathwaite came up to her.
1T is locked, Mrs Crosmont," he said,
looking at her attentively.
Locked" she repeated in low tone.
'The gate is locked"
She paused, and again touched the
wooden bars mechanically.
''We must 60 back again, and get to the
house by the road"
1.-THE road!' she echoed, in the same
tone as before. II don't know the way"
ut is all right. l know that way" he
said, in reassuring tone; and without
any comment on this strange adventure
every detail of which was stamping itself
on his mind. and awakening there many
strange ideas, he helped her to descend the
steps and the slippery path which follow
ed, and hurried her back towards the
more circuitous road, while he kept up
some sort Of idle talk about snow storms
and the long frost.
The whole house was full of movement,
and life, and brightness. The brass Ian
terms which hung from the roof of the
great hall shone on the armor trophies,
and threw pretty, subdued light upon
groups of laughing girls and their admir-
ers, and bevies of chattering chaperones,
among whom Mrs. Peele stood conspicu-
GUS in severe majesty. Every other min
ute the Marie Antoinette curtains were
lifted, and the buzz of voices and the
pretty clatter Of teacvps and teaspoons
came through the cloister, as 4 Couple
went through to the morning room or re-
turned to It. Lord Kildonan, kindly and
genial % ever, came forward with out
stretched hands towards Mrs. Crosmont.
Welcome, welcome, my dear child. You
must forgive an old man for calling you
my dear child but you are so subdued
and shrinking that one forgets you are a
full-grown woman. Bless me! Your
dress Is quite wet. Dear, dear! Where is
my wife, wonder?"
Thank you, it is nothing of any con-
sequence, indeed. 1t is only that my jack
ct has got rather damp with the snow.
If can take it off and have it shaken it
will soon be quite dry"
Eyes, yes, to be sure. Have it shaken"
said Lord Kildonan, offering with a very
gentle hand to help her to take off her
jacket. ''Ah, but your dress is wet, too.
Come through" he continued, leading the
way to the gallery at the back of the hall.
on the right hand. There is a room here
where there is no fireplace. You can
shake the snow off there before it melts
William, light here! DR.. Armathwaite,
you come too"
Lord Kildonan went first. Alma follow
ed. and Armathwaite brought up the
rear. No sooner, however, had Mrs. Cros-
mont taken half a dozen steps along the
corridor than she staggered, and, with a
faint cry, fell back against the young doc
tor, who supported her while Lord Kill
DOMAIN, IN great distress, sent the footman
in search of his wife and Of Ned Cros-
mont.
ut is all right" said Armathwaite, re-
assuringly. as he lifted the lady in his
arms, carried her into the room indicated,
deftly unfastened her jacket and bodice.
and knee.ing down on the ground, laid
her head back an5 watched her face.
The candle. please. Thank you"
He looked at Alma with lines of deep
anxiety on his face
"She has only tainted he said, in a
grave tone. Then looking up suddenly,
with very stern expression, he asked,