Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-30
Continued.

FRANK decided from this opening
that whatever Lord Kildonan had dis
covered it was not so bad as what he
had not discovered. Nevertheless
he felt the strongest reluctance to be
judge at all in a case of which he
knew far too much. He attempted
some protest; but his host silenceC
him, holding up his hand with so much
imperious dignity that Frank began tt
was a side to the Ccotchmans char
acter which wrong-doers would fine
some difficulty in reckoning with.
eye must know" he said, taking of
his spectacles, and leaning on his ell
bow on the table so that he coulG
shield his eyes with his hand from
the lamp-light, as he looked intently
at the doctors face, chat this young
fellow has a great deal to do, and thai
he shows plenty Of energy in his work
| don't know much about business my
self, or the management of a large es
tate, but | studied the subject a good
bit when | first became trustee 70.
my wife's property, and I saw varra
soon that | had for my right hand, in
Edwin CrOsmOnt a sharp young fel
low, whose head was worth ten times
what mine was. He seemed to me
honest, I knew he was Woodworking
and | thOcht the business was better
in his hands than in mine. But now
| have found out, quite by chance. by
a word or two to a puir body | met
down by the Conismere road, that
he's been too hard on the tenants
that had a deefficulty VII their rent
and that they TAX me for a hard-fsted
skinflint that wad turn them DOT like
dogs in the road if they were a bit late
wi the money. Now, what do We think
O. that? What do ye think O. that?
turn a puir mon DOT O. his little home
in the winter for want o a few dirty
shillings! Now, an agent may be ell
ergetic, he may work like a horse, he
may run ABBOTT like a hare, but he
suldna get me such a character as
that"
Armathwaite felt greatly relieved
CrOsmont would get a severe repri.
mand; the fear of further investiga
tons would frighten him into discre
ton and Franks own task of saving
the agents unfortunate wife would be
the easier. He agreed with Lord XII
DOMAIN, but without extreme hearth
ness, having no wish to increase his
hosts wrath.
'.Yere too soft" said the old Scotch.
man, looking at him keenly. There
are some things one suldna pardon
and to be hard on puir folk is one O
them"
And his straight, thin-Iipped mouth
closed in a narrow, inflexible line
Armathwaite could not keep his deer
concern entirely out of his counter
ance, SO strong was the impression
this new view of Lord KildOnan's
character gave him. The elder man
naturally misunderstood the reason OF
this, and thought that he was moved
solely by compassion.
However," he went on, as the doc
tor said nothing, 81 shall not be toe
hard upon him, if it were only fer the
sake of his puir little wife. Besides
it would break Aphras heart to think
that her old playfelIow and protege
had done any wrong. After all, nae
doot he thinks it's his duty to max
them pay up, and if he's over hard
it's for me, and not for himself"
Armathwaite made no comment on
this last reflection, but asked:
81 suppose you haven't mentioned
the matter to her ladyship, Lord Xii
donan?"
mo, I'm afraid it would pain her
too much 1 did think of it, but
changed my mind"
81 should advise you to tell her
There is no fear of a lady being too
hard On the other hand, she has so
much spirit, she would see the thing
quite in its proper light"
well. l can't tell her till tomorrow
now, for she went to her own room
very early this evening, with bad
headache"
oh then you will not see her again
tonight?" said Armathwaite, very dis
tinctly.
The young mans eyes, as he put
this question, had suddenly become
aglow with strong excitement.
"Only for a moment, whep she
comes to bid me good night" an
swered Lord Kildonan. 81 should not
worry her with little tiresome troubles
then" he added, his mouth softening
as he spoke of her. "She only fits
in and fits out again. insist upOr
that always. Then I know she is al
right, and l sleep better for knowing
it. It's all selfshness, you see."
And he turned to the doctor will
his old, good-humoured smile.
Does she never fail you?"
"Never." answered the elder man
with some surprise.
"And what would you do if sht
didn't Gomez" Armathwaite asket
with smile.
DO, l should go and find out VIVA
was the matter with her, Of course
But that has never happened-never
What makes you ask"
Il was wondering why she had nc
come" answered the young man, afte
a moments hesitation.
ooh, it is too early yet. She doe
not come till after ten-nearly three
quarters of an hour" And he glance
at his watch as he rose from his chat
and opened a little cellaret whic
c+ood unlocked On q shelf in the wal