Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-05-21

|
ing extremely well satisfied with the
result of the interview. She even
followed her visitor politely a few
steps down the path, and the doctor
noticed that she limped in her walk.
Lord Kildonan mounted into his seat
with scarcely any assistance from the
doctors hand, and said very quietly,
but in dry, rasping voice:
Drive a little way through the
town. / wish to speak to you"
Frank took up the reins, and obeyed.
Even if he had objected to do so, there
was no disobedience possible to the
old lord this morning.
ut is true, l believe, that Dr. Peele
put the greatest confidence in your"
yes, think may say that he did"
He told you all particulars of the
cases under his care?"
YES, that I might take them up IN
place OF him.
He was a great friend of my-of
the late Mr.. Dighton; he was the
! family physician, and knew all the
secrets of the family, as such men
must do"
II dare say he did, your lordship."
you know he did, snapped Lord
Kildonan in grating voice, turning to
look at him with cold, penetrating
eyes.
Eyes, / know that he did"
And such secrets also passed to
your
mo. Lord Kildonan." Armath-
waite looked at him back with perfect
ly candid eyes. "They were to have
passed to me, but they never reached
me-"
How was that?"
"He left his writing-table to me,
and stated in his will that all the pa
pers it contained were to come to me
also. But when it came into my
hands, there were no documents in it
of the least Importance. Either DR..
Peele changed his mind at the last.
and destroyed them, or-they had
been distracted before the table
my hands"
by whom?"
well, presumably by some person
who believed in prior right to the
doctors effects"
Lord Kidonan's lips frightened still
more women are the breed of h
The muttered. Then, in louder voice,
he said: Drive to the doctors house;
we must have those papers"
Frank could only obey. When they
reached the garden-gate of the little
house they both got out of the phae-
ton. and leaving the old horse, who
was as quiet as a lamb they went up
the garden-path, and Lord Kildonan
rang the bell and asked for Mrs.
Peele.
Yes, she was at home, the maid
said. SO the gentlemen walked into the
chilly little drawingroom, and after
an audible rustling about the next
room and a sepulchral whispering in
deep voice, the widow entered the
room, and extended her hand to Lord
Kildonan. all dignity and graciousness.
but he was no longer the man whom
she was prepared TO welcome. He
touched her majestic hand with the
tips of his fingers and said:
Good morning, madam. have
come on business"
Mrs. Peele looked astonished, but in
dictated a chair with stately wave of
her hand. Lord Kil6onan, with cold
hard dignity which shrivelled up into
lbarrenness her ponderous majesty,
declined.
Il would rather stand, madam,
thank you. have only few min
utes to spare"
The widow. under all her airs, began
to look rather uneasy. Frank re-
manned in the background, a silent
sectator of the encounter. Lord Kill
donan turned towards him.
This gentleman, understand, had
all your husbands documents and pa
pers bequeathed to him."
Mrs. Peele started and changed
color as if a cannon ball had fallen at
her feet,
Really, your lordship, that is no az
| fair of mine" she said as soon as she
had recovered herself little.
Il am sorry to be forced to disagree
with you, madam. Certain important
papers were distracted from among
the rest between the time of your hus-
bands death and his funeral. You see
am in full possession of the circum-
stances; as no person interested in
the matter had access to the room at
that time except yourself it is matter
not for surmise but certainty that it
vas you who took them. have come
to request-to inslst-that you give
them up Immediately to the person to
whom they were left by your hus-
band"
The widow. with an angry glance at
lArmathwaite, murmured something
about their having been destroyed,
mo. madam, that is an act you did
teot dare commit" said Lord Kildonan,
lsolemnly. Il beg you not TO force me
10 take extreme measures. but 20 de-