Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-09-02
CHAPTER XIV.

FRANK Armathwaite spent the FIRST TEN
days after his arrival at Branksome IN
making the acquaintance of the various
equity cid gentlemen and sem-invalid Ia.
dies whom the indisposition of DR.. Peele
had left for some weeks without the com.
fort and excitement Of medical advisers
visits. Well launched by the recommends.
ton Of the old doctor, who was popular.
and had made himself great reputation
by his able treatment of that important
class of patients who can afford to nurse
every trihing ailment until imagination
and idleness work it into a serious malady.
the young Yorkshireman was received ev.
erywhere with the greatest cordiality.
which increased when it became known
that he had already been consulted BY
the great people at The Crags. From
that moment his success was IN his own
hands.
For ten days he saw nothing either 81
the kildonans or Of the Crosmonts. ex.
cept for deeting glimpse he caught one
evening, when he was out late on his
rounds, OF the sleigh and it's occupants.
1t was hard winter, and the frost still
held; and though on bright days the sun
melted little of the upper snow on the
more open parts. the great mass of it still
spread over the hills and choked the val.
leys, the ice on the lake grew thicker and
thicker, and al night the hard roads rang
under the tread of man or beast. Towards
the end of his second week at Branksome.
little note from Lady Kildonan was re.
ceived, inviting him to skating party ia
be held on the lake on the following af.
ternoon from two till FIVE. There was
postscript of course: "Mrs. Crosmont has
been invited. l trust to the mutual at.
traction to bring you BOTH
On the following day a heavy sky and
keen, biting wind seemed to threaten
the doom of the proposed skating party,
Armathwaite, who was out early in the
morning, hardly knew whether he most
wished for or dreaded it. The anxiety he
felt to meet Alma Crosmont again, to note
the progress of what was by far the
strangest and most interesting case. from
professional point of view, that he had
yet met with, and to arrest the mind-dis
ease which seemed to be lowering owe,
her, was counterbalanced by fear which
this sensible, practical young man began
to feel, lest the interest of the case and
the weirdly fascinating personality of the
patient should EN-. by absorbing his mind
so completely as to render inspid and in.
supportable the prosaic details of his life
and the rest of the people among whom
that life was passed.
At quarter past one, having gobbled
down a cruelty hasty dinner, DR.. Arma.
thwaite. Mrs. Peele and Mile were all in
the pony carriage, driving towards thu
meeting place, which was the Meresid1
end of the lake, on the opposite shore
close underneath the hill on which Ina
Crags stood. The wind had gone down.
the sky was still heavy and threatening,
and feathery fake or two fell softly n
a weak and wavering way as an earnest
Of what might be expected before many
hours were over. A small marquee had
been erected on the shore of the lake
close by the boat house and landing stage
belonging to The Crags; under this shell
ter couple of bright maid servants
delighted with this tiny break in life6
monotony, were making tea and coffee
and unpacking consignments Of cake and
sandwiches. On the shore outside Lord
and Lady Kildonan were receiving their
friends as they drove up. while on the ica
long row of chairs were already filled
with rosy-cheeked, smiling girls, havina
their skates put on. Ned Crosmont drove
up with his wife just as the doctors pony
carriage discharged its load. Mrs. Peels
shook the husband by both hands, callina
him alphabetically my poor boy!" with
sidelong glance at his wife, whose wick.
ed I.ondon-lady ways had brought such
lines Of worry and care into his face. she
did not refuse to shake hands with Alma,
but she presented her fingers coldly, tight.
ening her lips as she glanced at the tailor.
made, fur-trimmed dress Of dark-gree1
cloth which the agents wife wore.
Cro be continued.)