Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-09
ooh. its not in bad haniSi"

mediately wI,lout giving time for
further comment, it was evident that
he did not disapproVe of the arrange
ment.
Alma, on her side, was gradually
learning, under the doctors influence,
to lose her fear OF, and cultivate her
sympathy with, her husband. Ten
days afer DR.. Peele's funeral, when
she had been under treatment a little
more than a fortnight, Armathwaite
was congratulating himself on the
improvement in his patient, when,
on calling one morning to see her at
the usual time, he found her in the
old limp, cowed, and yet excitable
state. with dazed eyes and heavy
limbs. He set to work to find out the
reason, and after a few questions
succeeded.
Lady Kildonan came to see me
yesterday-late in the afternoon"
said Alma, in a dull, constrained
voice
Indeed, To ask if you were
better?"
NO. She wanted me to do some
thing. 1t seemed a strange thing for
her to ask. But ! don't know l was
frightened, anxious; it made my head
swim when l tried TO think"
well, and what did she want you
to do?"
She said"-Alma's face began to
look heavy, bewildered, and
miserable, and her eyes fastened in
helpless reliance on the doctors face
-''she said that Ned was in difficulties
great, serious, dreadful difficulties
and that | ought to ask you to let
me have money to help him.
rs that all? Dear me that's soon
settled! l will speak to your husband
about it."
will you? Won't you be afraid?"
mo. If you daren't speak TO him,
| must. You want to help him if you
can, don't your"
"Oh, yes-oh, yes"
Very well, then, that's settled and
you needn't trouble your head any
more about it,
But"
"Well?"
Lady Kildonan-she frightend me
by the way she spoke, looked at me-
1t was almost as if I had the money
about NE, and she wished to tear it
away"
"Oh, you are not. quite well yet!
You are still nervous, fanciful. You
must not let yourself be frightened
SO easily
He Gained her excitement with re-
assuring words, and did not leave
until he had restored her to
healthier and brighten mood
That evening, when, as he knew,
Crosmont would have retired to his
study, Armathwaite called at the
house again and asked if be could see
him. He would not go into the draw
ing-rOOm, where Mrs. Crosmont was
sitting, Agnes said, but waited in
the hall until the maid returned and
requested him to come to the study
The agent was alone. Not even
dog lay on the hearthrug this even,
ing. He was standing with his back
to the narrow wooden mantelpiece,
staring at the decanters and glasses
which stood on the table in front of
him. Remembering the former oc-
Armathwaite was struck by the change
for the worse which a few weeks had
made in its owner. The burrows in
his face had deepened, his glance hao
become more restless, his manner
was less dOggedly determined, his
fits of violence were more frequent.
One cause of this deterioration, Anna
the insidious comforter the agent
had CHOSEN in his embarrassments;
the others were not far to seek.
81 have come to speak to you on a
delicate matter, Mr.. Crosmont," saio
the doctor, when he had been invited
to sit down.
The agent looked at him out of the
corners Of his eyes.
well, go on" he said gruf1y.
81 won't apologize for interfering
in the matter, for l believe you will
agree with me that l can't help my
SELF
81 hate apologies. Get to the
point
Lady Kildonan"-the usual change
came upon Crosmont at the name; he
became preternaturally quiet-"called
upon MRS. Crosmont yesterday"
THE d she did," muttered
Crosmont
told her you were in want of
money but did not like to ask her
for it,
And what did my wife say? Said
she wouldn't give it me, if she had
any sense"
"She asked me to speak to you
about it, and to ask if it was true"
To be continued.