Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-02-12

of the Cvc1ing was blurred to Armath-
waite he moved and spoke mechan-
ically, wrapped in the maddening
whirl Of suspicious and conjectures.
The only thing that remained or his
mind afterwards was the sight of
Crosmont talking apart to Lady Kill
donan in a low, earnest voice, and
gancing iowa Dis him with an express
sion of hatred and mistrust, which the
lady accompanied by one of reckless
defiance
Chapter XVII.
Frank Aimathwaite walked back to
Branksome from The Crags that even
ing with his heart more moved and his
mind more disturbed than they had
ever yet been in the course O. his life
On the one hand the paintive face of
Alma CTOsm0nt the large eyes in
which the clear light of reason
seemed already 10 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
Gered her pas We undes his neglect to
the danger Of her intellect was only
too PLAIN On the other hand, the par
aly2ing difficulties Of the case were
clear q his Cd es. ii Crosmont had
really conceived and executed the pre-
posterously dangerous plan of reliev-
ing his emDarrassmeuts by introduc-
ing his vile into The Crags to rifle
Sydney Mason's dressing-case. why
did he look so Enthusiastically relieved
when Armathwaite approached that
most Offensive suggestion? What,
again, vas the exact part that Lady
kildonan played in this drama? The
confidence between her and her hus-
bands agent seemed to be absolute.
Gould Il possibly extend so far as to
make her an accomplice in the rob-
berry of her own guest? These and a
hundred ether questions tormented
Armathwaite. VINO, at the end of his
walk home, was as much perplexed as
ever, and inclined to be utterly de-
spondent a. 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 20 make a 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
nope now lay in the pressure he could
put upon him through his employer.
Crosmont would do anything, il was
certain, rather than lose the position
winch kept him near Lady Kildonan.
H. after the warning 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.
10 Lord kildonan. In the meantime he
would iILd some means of keening n
Watch over the movements of the two
households. In passing through Mere.
side he saw the dim light in the wv.
ehclreled window, and guessed, with
terrible yearning in his heart to com.
tort and cheer her. that the lady was
again having recourse to her dream.
music tor consolation Reminded nv
TINS incident of the fragments of her
history already communicated TO him
ana or the further revelations nrom.
iSed by DR.. Peele, he resolved on the
loliowing day to make a determined
attempS to conquer the old doctors
apparent reluctance to re-open the
subject: for he felt that now. if ever
was the time when every item OF
knowledge he could CLEAN about no,
might be used in her service.
On his arrival at Dr. Peele's house
mis- reflections were roughly broken il
upon ny the doctors wife. who mn
right in the straightest chair sh,
could ind, was sitting up for him with
Stony face, her dignity not enhanced
oy sAndanna handkerchief of he,
husbands S. which she wore bound tur
oan-wise round her head. Mile sa
Dehind her making signs to him I,
receive the charge with a bold front
Accepting the hint, he seated himself
exactly opposite to the elder lady. am
beginning slowly to take of hi,
gloves, addressed her with an enyas
ing smile
You got back quite safely then
Mrs. feele: | was with Lord Kildo
mar when you left, and | was awful,
sorry u find that was too late tC
drive Won home"