Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-08-19
CHAPTER TX.


give mournful look to a room which
dark mahogany furniture and funeral
four-post bedstead rendered already suffi
GENTLY gloomy. BY the fire sat the doc
tor in large armchair, sorting papers by
the light of couple Of candles on a small
table at his side. Armathwaite was star
tiled by the look on his face as he raised
his head and held out thin hand in well
come. Having heard on all sides that the
ailment which kept the doctor at home
was nothing but a. cold, the young man
had not been prepared for the sunken eyes
and ashy paleness which, to his observant
vision, seemed the unmistakable heralds
OF death; he was so much changed that
but for the keen and kindly eyes, the weak
and vacillating mouth, Frank would
scarcely have known him.
II have come here by the strangest ac-
eident,' answered Armathwaite. "Or
rather by an incident which has already
led to so many extraordinary adventures,
thar hesitate to call it an accident at
All"
Dir. Peele pushed back his gray hair
with gesture peculiar to him when he
was interested; and with touch of af-
fectionate dismissal to his daughter, who
5
gravely bowed his head to intimate that
he was ready to listen. AS soon as they
were alone, Armathwaite as much inn
pressed by the manner of the doctors re-
ception as by any OF the previous events
to which his strangely interrupted journey
had given rise, related very simply the cir
cumstances; that he had met Alma Cros-
mont, passed the night, by her husbands
k~r ~, Al 7 81
Kildonan had taken him to luncheon at
The Crags.
1T is very strange" said DR.. Peele at
last. and perhaps the strangest part Of
It all is that not many weeks ago men
toned you to Alma Crosmont as a man
who, in certain circumstances we were
then imagining, would be likely to have
the skill and the courage to do her ddi-
cult and perhaps dangerous service
.'What was that service? May | not
know asked Armathwaite in very low
voice.
Hardly yet" answered the old doctor
slowly. But if you will stay here few
days, will talk to you again on this sub
sect. Can you spare the time?"
II will do SO, if you have any strong
reason for wishing me to stay. But if I
may go up 10 1ldSkOW lO-ulSuI ana return
to you, should prefer it, as l have a
chance of an appointment at the 1ntirmary
there, and the candidates will be seen to-
morrow"
..Let 'em be seen; can give you some
thing better. My wife and daughter think
shall be about again in few days. but
yon and know otherwise. / believe with
Alma and with you, that il was no chance
brought you to this place. Within few
hours of your arrival you have come face
to face with the two cases which have
been gnawing at my very life; Tor warn
you, you will have no easy post here:
there are secrets which will confide to
you, If you care to take my place here,
connected with certain Of my patients,
the knowledge Of which will make your
life an everlasting dance upon the edge Of
. volcano which must break out some day.
You are young. energetic, honest, not
.over-emotional, with head very well
screwed on, thouxh Its only on young
shoulders. You may perhaps find way
h grapple successfully with difficulties
Aich to IN old man, weighed down BY