The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-07-31


of yours interrupted harsh voice.
Il think, I!r. Crosmont, that that is my
own affair. And if you really believe, as
you seem to imply, that my story is not
true, l can soon settle that by going to
Lord Kildonan and asking him to let me
put the thing into the hands of the police.
Either of malicious purpose or through
loss of self control. Sydney had raised
his voice SO that its high effeminate tones
carried his words from end to end of the
room: and Lord Kildonan, who was in
the midst of an argument about rare edi-
tons, hearing his name mentioned, stop
ped in his talk Crosmont's dark face as
sumed in moment a livid hue, and it
was with an effort which caused the mus
cles Of his mouth and eyes to twitch in
convulsye hideousness that he burst into
a constrained laugh. and slapping Sydney
on the shoulder with a familiarity which
the latter strongly resented, told him that
he was too touchy, that he mustn't take
offense at a joke; then he added quickly
in a much lower tone, while his eyes seem
ed TO pierce right into the lads shallow
brain:
You could never commit an act so
unworthy Of n gentleman rs that.
He had struck the right chord. The
word gentleman was a fetch to the
heir of an advertisement contractor Sgd
ney gave him a faint and sickly smile of
condescending truce. and was about to
resume his talk with Armathwaite when
the agent again interrupted him.
You haven't told me all the details of
the affair yet, Sydney. Seriously, l think,
L nj urnll u,
ght be abe to find clew to the disap-
pearance of the things, if anybody could. "
At this moment Crosmont caught the
eyes of the young doctor fixed upon him
with great intenseness. Sydney. offended
at hearing his Christian name from the
lips of the rough-mannered man he dis
liked. shrugged his shoulders and said
languidly:
You have heard all the details already
and | don't really see why You should be
able to find out any more about it than
DR.. Armathwaite can. Don't you agree
with mo?" and he turned to his other
neighbor.
''Well, yes" answered the doctor. Il
agree that Mr.. Crosmont. having heard
the details. knows much more about the
affair than l do. And | also agree that by
hearing them | shall find out a great deal
that | don't know now"
perhaps you have a special faculty for
discovering mares nests" said Crosmont,
rudely.
II have not yet had experience enough
in hunting for them to know"
We'll, you won't be long in getting it
at the tate you are going" said the agent
IN the same tone.
Armathwaite. who was exceedingly anx-
ions, for AlTa's sake. not 70 be led into a
quarrel with her morose husband, affected
not to catch these last words, and again
begged Sydney Mason TO let him hear the
promised story.
II was telling you" said the young fel-
low at once, that | keep some money al
ways by me in my dressing case. And
the key | keep on a steel ring with some
others. Last night | went to the ward
robe and took the keys out Of nay coat,
opened my dressing case, and found that
all the gold. about sixty or seventy
pounds, VAS gone, and worse than that
a diamond breastpin. Now what do You
think of that: The moneys nothing.
and. for the matter Of that, the diamond s
nothing. but its the feeling that here, in
& house where You nre on intimate terms
with the people, and do expect to be
treated with some consideration, you
should be as unprotected as if you were
sleeping in a barn
but surely you can't blame Lord and
Lady Kidonan: They would be awfully
vexed if they heard Of it,
He would but Lady Kidonan doesn't
care. She was told about It, and she only
said''-here his face began to pucker I'D
almost as if he were going to cry-"that
the little lsddie must have been dream
ins. What DO you think of that? / call
it shameful. And | say Lord Kildonan
ought 10 be told, and must be told, DIR.
Arma thvaite. and l am sure You viii
agree with me-
But Armathwaite was in no hurry to do
so. He did, indeed, evidently take a most
deep interest in the matter: but il was
interest which expressed itself by almost
tragic silence. and by a look of anger and
fear in his blue eyes which puzzled sgd
ney by its intensity.
Don't You agree with me-" repeated
the latter. in a fainter tone, that Lord
Kildonan ought to be told r
ArSnathwaite looked at the little fellow
as if he were something SO small, so in
significant as scarcely to be seen
No. he said. in a very low. hoarse
voice; Il do not think Lord Kidonan
ought TO be told-yet."
With the last words be raised his head
sharply and fixed his eyes very directly,
not at the lad but at Crosmont. who had.
ne was sure. heard, if not every word, az
least the purport of the conversation.
Lord kildonan. who always retired TO his
study after dinner. was rising and telling
the rest they they had the drawing room
and the billiard room to choose from. In
the general move which followed Arma-
thwaite. whose brain seemed to be beat
ing in his head Ike q steam hammer.
found himself side by side with Crosmont
as they Went along the gallery. The agent
looked up into his face with 4 SulIeny
aggressive expression.
Look here" he said in savage and
logged tone. which struck Armathwaite
with a sudden and horrible sense of wis I
its effect must be on the fragile and sensi-
tive Alma. You think yourself an uucom-
monty clever fellow. and YOU have taken
Il into your head that by playing the pri-
~ N-N- s-'V IL ' ptt ma = pSSl INK TO
do ever since You came here in one way
or another-you may find some pickngs
which may not be beneath your notice.
Now, | tell YOU, il won't do. If You come
near my house again-and if you do shall
hear of il. | promise you-or if | find you
meddllng in any way with matters which
don't concern You, | shall go straight 10
Lord hildonan and denounce you with
out more words as a prowler after other
mems wives.
Armathwaite listened 10 this discourse.
which was Kissed into his ear with gree
v!rulence. in attentive silence: and when
Crosmont ended and slared MP at him in
defiant expectation OF an angry protest.
he only said. in 4 perfectly calm voice:
VIII YOU come into the tennis court at
the end We can talk better there"
The agent. taken by surprise. looked as
+ he would have liked 70 refuse. But. for
AT his hravsdo he felt enough anxiety as
% the doctors attitude 10 De forced 10 give
reluctant and ungrac:ous assent - the
proposal.
Mr.. Crosmonr." said the doctor. you
hrNuC1r against Mo 1ho-- -ha