Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-07
CHAPTER XXI.

The sun had set before Frank Arma-
thw;ite reached Mereside, and leaden
February day was ending in raw. wet
evening by the time he stood at the door
Of Ned Crcsmont's house.
The bell was answered, not, as he had
hoped, by the warm hearted and trust
worthy Nanny. but by the loquacious hit
tie scandal monger. Agnes, who started
20 violently on seeing him that it was evil
dent his coming had some special interest
for her. Her constrained answer to his
first question made it clear that she mad
been carefully drilled.
us Mr.. Crosmont at home"
NO, SIR" And Agnes blushed violent
y.
DO you know when he will be in?"
II can't say at all. SIR"
How Is Mrs. Crosmont to-day?"
quite well, sir. She is writing now in
her own room, and gave orders that she
was not to be disturbed" giving of the
message with the glibness of lesson.
Armathwaite redeemed.
THAT 10 all right" he said, stif1y.
"Please let her know that called, and
am glad to hear she is better"
He turned and went down the steps,
too anxious to feel much mortified by his
reception, which had justified his worst
fears. He thought it wiser not to linger
q moment in the neighborhood, as it was
and very desirable that the agent should
not suspect that he was being watched.
He therefore rode straight back to Drank
some, and did not leave home again until
he learned by the clock that the. TAO
~ &c AZ -Ant 1nv,
be rot up from the chair in which he had
been forcing himself to sit very quietly,
and telling Mrs. Peele that he was to
pass the night At The Crags by Lord Kill
domains desire, he left the ladies to their
establishment without giving them time
for comment.
From Rranksome to The Crags was q
walk IF nearly seven miles, and 1t was
nine O'Clock before Frank reached the
big red house, and asked If Lord kildo-
nan could see him. He had not long to
wait: before he had stood two minutes in
front of the great log fire which it was
her ladyship's pleasure to keep always
burning in the wide hall fireplace, the old
Scotchman came trotting down the gal
lery from his study with outstretched
hand
II thought" said Armathwaite, some
what hesitatingly, II took it into my head
this afternoon that you did not look well,
and might perhaps be threatened tonight
with another attack like that one you had
three weeks ago. So came to ask your
permission to pass the night here, and
zee for myself how you got on"
"WeN, that IL very kind Of you: but
as strange, too, for have not felt at all
unwell But, now I remember, / felt
no premonitory symptoms of my last at
tack. Well, you're welcome, at all events,
and hope your foreboding may not prove
we'll founded. Come to my study, come;
and I'll show you some notes I've taken
since you were this afternoon"
When they reached the study Lord Kill
dOnan opened q little cellaret which stood
unlocked on shelf in the wall. "You
take whisky, doctor:' he said. II gen
orally take glass of whisky and water
about this time in the evening; you won
1T me take it alone, will youy'
II don't thinK shall let you take it at
III, Lord Kildonan," said ArmAthwaite,
- he took up . tumbler. into which the
oder man had poured some of the spirit
and examined 1t narrowly. II am here
o. your medical adviser, you know, and
you must allow me to taste this"
Certainly" said Lord Kildonan, who
thought this was joke.
Armathwaite raised the glass to his
lips.
They've put it into the wrong decaa-
ter," he said, calmly. though his eye1
were bright with excitement: "or, no.
ne tasted the spirit again--.'they' We pus !:
into decanter that hadn't been properly
rinsed. What il it they use for washing
these things: Vinegar and sand, or some
thing Of that sort, isn't it? I can taste
the vinegar. it spoils the flavor complete
IT,"
Lord kildonan took up the lumber, and
tasted the contents in his turn.
There IL peculiar flavor in It; I've
noticed the same thing before. Vinegar,
do you say: 1t doesn't taste like vinegar
60 me" ~
"In any case, you had better not drink
4. 1t might make you sick. Have a
fresh hottie opened, Lord Kildonan, and
don't have it decanted at ALL"
Lord KildOnan rang the bell, and after
some delay the under-f ootman appeared,
1t was a most unusual circumstance for
the master Of the house, who was a man
Of the simplest habits, to require any At
tendance 60 late, and the lad seemed very
much alarmed by the summons. The but
Ter had gone to bed, he said. and the KEYS
Of the cellar were locked up in his pantry.
Lord Kildpnan, who would not have brok-
en- Z dogs sleep for his own pleasure.
hooked ruefully at the condemned decan-
ter, and would most certainly have con-
tented himself with the deteriorated spir;t
but for the presence of the doctor, who.
with some astute knowledge of men and
manners, said:
You know where the butler keeps that
bottle Of whisky for his own drinking?''
Oh. zee. SIR" answered the lad readily,
and Immediately fell to biushing furiousiy
o. both the gentlemen smiled
Well, bring it, there's . good lad. just
- 1t ~"
And tie young fellow disappeared witu-
ont delay.
I'm afraid webster win think we're
taking liberty" said Webster's master
doubtful]y.
'If lse does, Lord Kildouan, you may be
Euro 6o9M not rest till he has taken ample