Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-02-12

"
Crosmont talking apart to Lady Kill
DOMAIN in low, earnest voice, and
glanciny towards him with an express
sion Of hatred and mistrust, which the
lady accompanied by one Of reckless
defiance.
Chapter XVII.
Frank ArmathWaite walked back to
Branksome from The Crags that even
ing with his heart more moved and his
mind Iaore disturbed than they had
ever YET been in the course Oh his life.
On the one hand the plaintive face Of
Alma CTosmont the large eyes in
which the clear light of reason
seemed already to be merging into the
vague haze of dreams, haunted him,
and stirred him to fresh energy and
vigilance on her behalf; for that her
husband was using over her sensitive
nature a benumbing power which rem
dered her passive under his neglect to
the danger Of her intellect was only
too PLAIN. On the other hand, the par
aly7ing difficulties of the case were
clear to his eyes; if CrosmOnt had
really conceived and executed the pre-
posterOusly dangerous plan of reliev-
ing his embarrassments by introduce
ing his wife into The Crags to rifle
Sydney MasOn's dressing-case, why
did he look so Enthusiastically relieved
when ArmathWaite approached that
of
again, v as the exact part that Lady
Kildonan played in this drama? The
confidence between her and her hus-
bands agent seemed to be absolute.
Could il possibly extend so far as to
make her an accomplish in the rob-
berry Of her own guest? These and a
hundred other questions tOrmented
ArmathWaite, who, at the end Of his
walk home, was as much perpleXed as
ever and inclined to be utterly de-
spOndent as to his chance of saving
Alma from the doom with which her
husbands selfish cruelty was threaten
Ing her. That she herself would be
able 30 make successful stand
against his treatment was now hope
less, such terrible progress had the
weakening of her will made since the
departure of Uncle Hugh. The appeal
to the agents feelings, to his best in
terests, having failed, Armathwaite's
hope now lay in the pressure he could
put upon him through his employer
CrosmOnt would do anything, it was
certain, rather than lose the position
which kept him near Lady KildOnan.
II, after the waning he had received
that night, he should still continue to
exercise over his wife the power with
which he was now crushing out her
health, both of mind and body. Ar
mathWaite resolved that he would ad-
dress himself, as directly as might be.
to Lord kildOnan. In the meantime he
would find some means of keeping a
watch over the movements of the two
households. In passing through Mere
side he saw the dim light in the ivy
encircled window, and guessed with
terrible yearning in his heart to COM
fort and cheer her, that the lady was
again having recourse to her dream
music TO- consolation. Reminded by
this incident of the fragments of her
history already communicated to him,
and OF the further revelations prom
ised by DR.. Peele, he resolved on the
following day to make a determined
attempt to conquer the old doctors
apparent reluctance to reopen the
subjecE; for he felt that now, if ever.
was the time when every item of
knowledge he could CLEAN about her
might be used in her service.
On his arrival at Dr.. Peele's house.
his reflections were roughly broken in
upon by the doctors wife, who. up
right III the straightest chair she
. could find, was sitting up for him with
a stony face her dignity not enhanced
by q bandanna handkerchief of her
husbands, which she wore bound tur-
ban-wise round her head. Mile sat
behind her. making signs to him to
receive the charge with a bold front.
Accepting the hint, he seated himself
exactly opposite to the elder lady, and
gloves. addressed her with an engag-
ing smile.
You got back quite safely then,
Mrs. Peele? I was with Lord Kildo-
nan when you left, and | was awfuIly
sorry u find that l was too late to
drive you home"
Mrs. Peele gave a short and bitter
laugh.
Il dare say.' she said with assnap.
AS this remark formed no bridge to
a renewal of the conversation, Arm
athwate finished taking off his gloves,
put them into his pocket. folded his
hands, and appeared placidly to bask
in the warmth of the fire. Mrs. PeeIe.
infuriated gave a shorter, more bitter