Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-09-30
CHAPTER XIX-Contnued.)

Sne gallery, ana raised the curtain WHICH
divided It from the hall, when he came
suddenly face to face with Lady kiido-
nan. She wore hat and long circular
cloak, and was leaning back against a
high carved cabinet with an expression of
sleepy languor in her face and attitude
which made her even more strikingiy at
tractive than usual. As Armathwaite
stopped short at sight of her, she pressed
one hand to her eyes. let it fall Imply,
and then held it out towards him with
sleepy, good humored smile.
.Been to see my husband?" she asked.
Then, without waiting for an answer. she
went on in the same lazy tone. "You
brought q letter from DIR. 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, suppose
I'd better 60. Will 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 it, SO l feel too de-
moralized for any active exertion."
There was nothing for 1t 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 Z glance of haf-irrita-
bic, half-womanly entreaty.
mot now" she said "When you have
left me at DIR. Peele's, you can come
back"
They drove on. but ne gave one wistful
glance 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; 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-
portant at any other time, gained a por-
tentous weight when there lay in the
house man who would never again leave
It alive. He glanced with an anxious face
ut Lady Kildonan. Her mind seemed to
be wandering off to something eise Ar
mathwafte 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
cage towards him with a scared, tear
swollen face, he stopped her, knowing at
2nce what had happened.
sx
whisper, 'the poor. dear doctor! He's
gone! He would get up. because he ex-
pected Lady Kildonan. And he was all
In CULVER expecting her, when SUDDEN
!y-me. and Mrs. Peele. and Miss Milie
we're all there. sir--he said he felt faint
IKE, and asked to be taken to the win
dow. And we took him to a chair, and he
looked out along the road. There was a
r. -
coming. And he had the window opened.
oil in the cold and dark as it was: and it
was too dark to see. and so he listened.
But be couldn't hear anything nor we
couldn't, though we all stood quiet as
mice. And presently he fell back in his
chair and said. 'Alma-give my love to
Alma But Aphra, tell her thought Of
her last of all. and with my dying breath
begged her Those were the last words
he said, sir. Then he drew a deep. long
breath, and he struggled to breathe a
little while, and we laid him down. But
1t 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 Kildonan.
.sWhat's the matter?'' she asked, rather
auerulously. Am not to get outr'
II had better drive you home, Lady
Kildonan," said Armathwaite. very gent
y. 1.-The doctor cannot see you--just
now"
'sNot now! Can't see me now! she re-
peated. excitedly. Speak plainly. Do
you mean that he's dead!'
He only answered by q look; he was
Aimself deeply moved.
'He 10 dead. then p she persisted.
eyes. Lady Kildonan. The last words
he said were"
But she interrupted him in an unmis-
talnably relieved tone.
..WeN, then. it's of no use for me to go
in. I should only be in the way. Will
you drive me homer
Armathwaite drew back in infinite dis
gust.
II think must ask you to excuse me,
Lady Kildonan. The groom can drive,
can he not?"
.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
her, she beckoned the doctor towards her,
and said, in q low voice:
"You won't mind my asking you'll
know you were in the doctors confidence
do you know anything about the pro-
visions Of his will?"
mo, your ladyship; I am very sorry
that cannot satisfy-your anxiety"
"Oh, only wanted to know if the Door
aadies were provided for, and his protege
Alma, not forgotten! Good night. Tell
Mrs. Peele and Millie how dreadfully sor-
y am"
These words were uttered in the softest
and sweetest tones of coincidence, but to
Armathwaite they might as we'll have
been jeers and curses. If there had been
more daylight, or If the lady's usually
keen wits had not been 20 entirely luned
~ reckless and indifferent languor, she
would have seen an expression on the
Ysung mans face. - he raised his hat,
more Dangerous than any that had ever
yet menaced her selfish enjoyment.
"6he has saved me pang Of remorse,
and freed me from my last scruple," said