Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-23


spection completed, Lord Kildonan
spoke again.
Il WONDER he said slowly, peering
over his blue spectacles into Arma-
thwaite's face. you know We nothern-
ers believe in second sight, and all
that sort Of thing: do your"
Give never studied it-never had
an opportunity" murmured Armath-
waite, feeling that his voice was play
ing tricks with him.
"Ah! l was wondering I'm no
so sure that I'm wrong yet-whether
perhaps We had come up tonight be-
cause ye had kind Of inkling that l
was lonesome, and thought We would
come to bear me company"
MOO" stammered Armathwaite;
Il don't think it was altogether that.
I thought took it into my head this
afternoon that you did not look well,
and might perhaps be threatened to-
night with another attack ike that
one you had three weeks ago. So
came to ask your permission to pass
the night here, and see for myself
how you got on"
well, that is very kind of you; but
it's strange, too, for have not felt at
all unwell. But now l remember, l
felt no premonitory symptoms Of my
last attack. Well, you're welcome, at
all events, and I hope your foreboding
may not prove we'll founded Come
to my study, come; and I'll show you
some notes I've taken since you were
here this afternoon"
He led the way back along the gal
lery, and Armathwaite followed, feel
ing sure that there was something as
yet unaccounted for in his hosts man
ner, and fearing that he might be
forced into an embarrassing position
if Lord Kildonan chose to question
him. When they reached the study,
and sitting down to the table began,
the one to read aloud and the other to
listen, both men felt conscious Of lit
tie inattention, a little reticence on
the part Of the other. This was the
more astonishing in the elder man, as
it was the first time ArmathWaite had
seen him faIter in his allegiance to
his hobby. 1t was quite clear, now,
however that there was some object
occupying his mind before which even
philology paled in interest.
81 don't think" he said, presently,
with less enthusiasm and less conf
dence than usual, chat this new man
can have gone on quite so far as
have in this view. 1t may be so, of
course, but I don't think it's likely"
mot at all likely" said Armath-
waite, quite meaning what he said.
"At any rate, you will know tomor-
row, when Crosmont brings you his
book"
At this, the first mention of his
agents name, Lord KildOnan's face
changed; and Armathwaite, who had
never before seen him in any mood
but one of homely, good-humoured,
kindly concern for others, or regretful,
yearning affection for his wife was
astonished at the stern and hard eX-
preston which his rugged features in
stantly assumed.
81 did not ak him to bring it, he
said, in a dry tone.
Armathwaite made no comment, but
affected to pore over some of the
loose sheets of paper, closely covered
with the students professional scrib-
oh 10 TO
strewn. Lord Kildonan picked up a
notebook, but the thread of his inter
est was irretrievably broken, and he
slapped it down again with a violence
which was so unexpected in a person
of his even temperament that Armath-
waite started and looked into his face
with grave apprehension.
81 think I've trusted that young
man too far" he said, with the strong
est Scotch accent Armathwaite had
ever heard him use.
AS it was impossible to differ from
him in this opinion, the young doctor
kept silence, waiting anxiously to
learn how far his knowledge or his
suspicion went. Teh old Scotchman
neither thought nor spoke quickly,
and it was not until after long pause
that he went on:
tits varra deefficult to be always
RIGHT, and young mons young mon,
and apt maybe to use more zeal than
discretion in a post of responsibility.
Dr. Armathwaite, ye're a mon of dis
erection, though ye're young yourself,
so yell no be bad Judge of the case"
To be continued