Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-09-22
CHAPTER XIV.

crossed the road towards the rlSnt, push
ed aside the snow-covered branches ot
some tall shrubs which grew at the foot of
the hill, and beckonins to Armathwaite
to come too. disappeared through them.
He followed. and found her at the bottom
# steep and slippery path which. shei-
tered by o.erhahs.Ds SHUTS ..o.n tus
snow, vas wet, clayey, and as difficult
to ascend as a glacier. After few yards
1t 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
they could see about eighty or . hundred
yards above them, one of the red. pointed
gables of The Crags.
Armathwaite uttered a cry of surprise.
Though certainly a very steep and, rs il
seemed, an unnecessarily difficult way, 1t
brought one to the house in about q quar-
ter of the time that it took to go 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
a high wooden gate, f1anked on either side
by IL long paling, which reached on the
right 10 an impassably steep slab of rock,
2nd on the left to a somewhat distant
thicket. Alma had approached the gate
and mechanically pushed it. as If expect
ing il to open at her touch. But II did not.
she pushed it again with more force; then
she shook it, but still without result. Ar
uathwaite came up to her.
1T is locked. Mrs. Crosmont," he said,
looking at her attentively.
Locked" she repeated in a low tone.
''1rhe gate is locked"
She paused, and again touched the
wooden bars mechanically.
I'VE must go back again. and get to the
house by the road"
The road!' she echoed, In the same
tone as before. II don't know the way"
1T is all right. l know that way" he
said, IN a reassuring tone; and without
any comment on this strange adventure,
every detail of which ~ as 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
.ome sort of idle talk about snow storms
md the long frost.
The whole house was full of movement,
md life, and brightness. The brass Ian
erns which hung from the roof of the
great hall shone on the armor trophies.
and threw a 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 teacups and teaspoons
came through the cloister, as a couple
went through to the morning room or re-
turned to it. Lord Kildonan, kindly and
genial as 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
woman. Bless me! Your
dress Is quite wet. Dear, dear! " here 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.
/ can tdhc IL Ou anu nave ~ budheu IL
will soon be quite dry"
"Yes, yes, to be sure. Have it shaken"
said Lord Kildonan, offering with a very
in acket. "Ah, but your dress is wet, too.
Come through" he continued, Ieading 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 me.ts.
William, a 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
faint cry, fell back against the young doc
tor, who supported her while Lord Kill
donan, IN great distress, sent the footman
in search of his wife and of Ned Cros-
mont.
"It Is all right" said Armathwaite, re-
assuringly, as he lifted the lady in his
arms, carried her into the room indicated,
ieftly unfastened her jacket and bodice.
and kneeling down on the ground, laid
her head back and 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 a very stern expression, he asked.
Where is her husband"
Lord Kildonan, who in his perturbation
and distress had upset quantity OF
candle grease on Alma's dress, and was
now trying vigorously to rub it off with a
silk pocket handkerchief, looked At him
apologetically.
81 have sent for him. William went
Just now. Shall 1 go? will do any.
Armathwaite's face changed as he look
ed at him.
81 am sure you would" he said. with
depth of gentleness and sympathy which
struck the old Scotchman with wonder.
"You think this illness is seriOusF' his
host asked most anxious.y.
Not in itself. 1t may be a symptom
Of a serious illness. / must give that
young fellow an admonition to look after
his wife. In his attention to business he
neglects her." DR.. Armathwaite said, dry
y and briefly.
"Dear me, dear me. You make me feel
hat l am In fault. OF course, it is not
light that my affairs should take up so
much of his time as to interfere with his
domestic duties. I must speak to my
wife. She 10 too exacting; she forgets
he has a wife to think of, when she has
linn here to luncheon and tea and what
lot. OF course, of course 1t 10 not right"
Armathwaite began to be annoyed at
his exaggerated loyalty aad guilelAsusas
p