Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-22
she went out, closing the door behind hel

she went out, closing the door behind her.
Armathwaite was too much absorbed
by his interest in the lady herself to ex-
anime very infinitely the hall in which he
was standing. He perceived that it was
long, wide and lofty, that one wall was
well lined with whips and guns and fish
ing tackle, and that there was hat-and-
coat stand covered with masculine gar
ments. He offered to help his hostess as
she disencumbered herself of her outer
garment. which proved to be unmistakably
a French cavalry cloak. She thanked
him, but shook her head and begged him
to take off his own overcoat, which was
covered with snow.
Il am afraid you must think me a luna
tic for carrying you off in this unceremoni-
Gus way" she said kindly, but with a
great deal of dignity. Il believe some of
the villagers declare that this house was
once lunatic asylum, and l am sure,
after the way in which you have been
treated, you will not fail to agree with
them. Did you not take me for a mad
woman" she asked in suddenly serious
tone, looking steadily, almost anxiously,
up for his answer.
mo, madam, certainly did not" said
Armathwaite heartily
The lady seemed relieved, and n touch
of her old earnest and pensive manner
came back upon her as, instead of i'm
mediately speaking again, she fixed in
genuously searching eyes upon the strang-
er's face, and after gazing at him intent
~ for some moments, withdrew them,
leaving Armathwaite, much to his own
surprise, in the peaceful conviction that
| she was deeply interested in and satisfied
with her own impressions.
Come into the drawing room," she
said when her inspection was over. Il
will introduce you to Mr.. Crosmont. My
name is Alma Crosmont. Yours is Dr.
She paused and looked down, knitting
her brows as if she had forgotten. More
astonished than ever, the young York
shireman supplied the information in a
low voice.
"Armathwaite-F Armathwaite."
She repeated it after him slowly, how
ever, as if the name was new to her. Just
where the hall narrowed suddenly to half
its first width there was a door on the
left which the lady opened. and Arma-
thwaite followed her into a large room.
In an armchair by the fire, with his back
to the door, sat a middle-aged man. who
was reading by the light of a candle fixed
to his chair. AS the door opened, he said
in a kind voice, well, little one, and
what have you been up to now?" and he
| held out his hand without turning round
| or putting down his book. Armathwaite
! was much struck by this circumstance.
There was a warm. loving sympathy in
voice, action and manner, which charged
| the whole atmosphere of the old room
with the fragrance of home.
"1've brought gentleman to see you,
| daddy"
i The book was put down at once, with a
start of surprise. The newcomer came
forward, and the lady said, simply:
"Dr. Armathwaite-Mr Crosmont."
"Not her husband, surely" thought
| Frank.
| Mr.. Crosmont rose, taking off his read
| ing spectacles hastily, and held out his
hand. He was man of middle height,
with beard and fringe of reddish hair
turning rapidly gray, undistingushed fea-
lures, and mild, dreamy blue eyes.
II dare say you know DIR. Armathwaite,
that stranger in this part of the world,
at this time of the year, is worth king S
ransom" said he, with evident pleasure
at the meeting, which was, it was also
easy to see, quite unexpected on his side
| "But if you once let the world know
how they may expect to be treated here,
you will be overrun with Them" said
Armathwaite. gratefully.
| Mr.. Crosmont glanced inquiringly at the
lady, who seemed for the moment rather
disconnected; at least, she answered with
her eyes cast down.
II was at the corner of the road by
| the lake. when l saw some one making
straight for the water; in another mo-
ment he would have been in, would you
not?" she ended, turning appealingly to
the young doctor.
Indeed l should" said Armathwaite
earnestly. Il had lost my way altogeth.
err You saved my life"
"But what were you doing out there b.
the lake on q night like this!" asked Mr.
Crosmont, not at all satisfied.
''Oh, never mind, daddy; it was only
one of my FRANKS; these high winds al
ways get into my head, you know, and
blow all the brains away"
"Were you waiting for Edwin 2" he then
asked, in q very gentle and sympathetic
tone.
She hesitated like school girl, then
raised her head with what seemed to be
an impulse of straightforward, almost de.
FAINT honesty.
"No."
Him. ! thought not" muttered Mr.
Crosmont. and then he turned again to the
visitor. "Do you know the lake country
well?" he asked. st is rather risky
thing to travel about here ut night if you
| do not"
ut is my first visit. and l can't hope to
see xnuch of it, for tomorrow afternoon
must be in Glasgow"
/ The end of the long. wide dining table
| nearest to the fire was laid for dinner fol-
| nze person. Was there some third mem.
Der of the household whose presence was
discord?
up here in the wilds one must make
friends with the beasts, or be solitary
It's dull life, can tell you," spoke the
old gentleman. as the lady left the room
II hardly think should find 1t 80 un.
der the same circumstances. For bach.
elor living by himself it would be dreary
| ~k> Rect nh e.