Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-10-13
CHAPTER XIX-(Contnued3

CdAf LIN AlA-tOOutuutu-J
Armathwaite left him, returned along
the gallery, and raised the curtain which
divided it from the hall, when he came
suddenly face to face with Lady kildo-
nan. She wore a hat and a long circular
cloak. and was leaning back against
high carved cabinet with an expression OF
sleepy languor in her face and attitude
which made her even more strikingiy at
fractive than usual. As Armathwafe
stopped short at sight of her. she pressed
one hand to her eyes, let 1t fall limp.y.
Il. and then held it out towards him with a
sleepy. good -humored smile.
"Been to see my husbandT she asked.
Then, without waiting for an answer, she
went on in the same lazy tone. You
brought a letter from DR.. Peele. didn't
you? I'm sure don't know what I've
done with it. However. he wants to see
me. and says he's very i'll. So, l suppose,
I'D better go. VIII you drive me! I'm
awfully tired to-day: had bad night,
and I've been asleep nearly all the after
noon to make up for 1t, SO l feel too de-
moralized for any active exertion-
There was nothing for it but to put
himself at her service. As they came in
sight Of Crosmont's house, and Arma-
thwaite said he had been asked to call and
see Mrs. Crosmont, Lady Kildonan flush
ed and gave him a glance of haf-irr'ta-
bic, half-womanly entreaty.
mot now," she said. when you have
left me at DR.. Peeie's, you can come
back"
They drove on, but ne gave one wistful
dance towards the gloomy looking house:
she noticed his expression.
An evil foreboding seized upon Arma-
thwaite as soon as they came in sight of
the doctors house. The outer door. which
> always stood open till late at night. had
been shut; q curtain of the bay window
In the lower room had been drawn aside.
and not pulled back from its place. These
things, which would have seemed unim-
purtant at any other time, gained por-
tentous weight when there lay in the
house a man who would never again leave
II alive. He glanced with IN anxious face
at Lady Kildonan. Her mind seemed to
be wandering off to something Else. Ar
mathwaite got down, went slowly up the
path, and into the house. He was afraid
of what he should learn there. When the
housemaid came scurrying along the pas
sage towards him with scared, tear
swollen face, he stopped her, knowing at
opaY what had happened.
~ 1fsSshe- tessaR,in heart-brokel
WHISPER. "the poor, dear doctor! He's
gomez He would get up, because he ex-
pected Lady Kildonan. And he was all
in a quiver expecting her, when sudden
lyme. and Mrs. Peele, and Miss Mile
were all there, sir-he said he felt faint
like. and asked to be taken TO the win
dow. And we took him to chair, and he
looked out along the road. There was
look in his eyes made us know what was
coming. And he had the window opened
Al, in the cod and dark as it was; and it
nd ha IL
But he couldn't hear anything, nor we
couldn't. though we all stood quiet as
rice. And presently he fell back in his
chair and said. 'Alma-give my love to
Alma. But Aphra, tell her l thought OF
her last of all, and with my dying breath
begged her, Those were the last words
he said, sir Then he drew deep, long
breath. and he struggled TO breathe a
u,tle while, and we laid him down. But
IT was no use. And he just held Miss
Miles hand. and like that he died
The girl burst out crying, and Arma-
thwaite led her gently Into the sitting
room, which was empty, and with few
kind words left her there, and hurried
back to Lady Kidonan.
What's the matterF she asked, rather
ENORMOUSLY. "Am l not to get out?'
81 had better drive you home. Lady
ISildonan." said Arma tn waite, very gent
ly. The doctor cannot see you-Just
now"
Not now! Can't see me now! she re-
heated. exctedly. Speak plainly. Do
you mean that he's dead!
lie only answered by a look; he was
himself deeply moved.
He is dead, them? she persisted.
..Yes. Lady Kildonan. The last words
he said we're
But she interrupted him in an unmis
takably relieved tone.
well then, it's of no use for me to go
in. / should only be i'll the way. VIII
yon drive me home!
Armathwaite drew back in infinite dis
gust.
Il think I must ask you to excuse me,
Lady Kildonan. The groom can drive,
can he mott! .
..Oh. yes, if you don't want to Gomez
she answered, in an offended tone. She
WAS busily turning something over in her
own mind. AS the groom left the horses
heads to take Armathwaite's place beside
her. she beckoned the doctor towards her
and said in a low voice:
You won't mind my asking you-l
know you were in the doctors confidence
do you know anything about the pro-
visions of his will!'
NO. your ladyship; l am very sorry
that | cannot satisfy-your anxiety"
.Oh. | only wanted to know if the poor
ladies were Erovided for. and his prOtege
? lima. not forgotten! Good night Tel
Mrs. Peeie and Mile how dreadfuly sor.
ry am
These words were uttered in the softes,
and sweetest tones of confidence. but tO
Atmathwaite they might as well have
been ieers and curses. If there had been
lnore daylight. or if the lady's usually
Ieen wits had not been SO entirely lulled
ty a reckless and Indifferent languor, she
would have seen an expression on the
Young mans face. as he raised his hat,
rncre dangerous than any that had ever
vet nianaced her selfish enjoyment.
..She has saved ME a pans of remorse,
pnd freed me from my last scrupie," said
l., 20 himself Il thought 1t was a case
Of woman against woman; il is angel
against ticnd.
With slow steps and heavy heart he
went back into tie silent house of mourn
iER
CHAPTER Xxx.
DIR. Peels's death had been expected,
towards tie end, by everyone but his
wife, who, although she had been gently
warned both by him and by Frank Ar
mathwaite, had been unable to recognize
the possibility that the husband who had