The Red Cloud chief., 1907-07-05

GOD only knows Andrew muir
INJURED.
Duncombc's teeth were hard set. A
paper knife which he had caught up
from the table snapped in his fingers.
There was something in his throat
which nearly choked him.
phyllis Poynton," Andrew contin-
ued, was as sweet and pure a woman
as ever breathcd. She must have
loathed that place. II could only
have gone there to seek for her brother
Or
"Or for whom?"
For those who knew where he was"
Duncombe turned his head.
Andrew
"Yes, old chap!"
"Let me look ut her photograph
again.
Andrew drew 1t from his pocket and
passed 1t over. Duncombe studied II
for several moments under the lamp
light.
You are right, Andrew he said
slowly. For her the other things
would not be possible. / wonder
His fingers chung to the photograph.
He looked across at his friend. There
was a slight flush in his face. He spoke
n~ervously.
"Andrew,' he said, I'm afraid it
| sounds a bit brutal, but-this photo
graph is no use to you just now. Is 1t
until your eyes get better. Will you
lend it to me?'
at oo,iln.t. \nJrov- nnSwprpJ uIiipt.
ly. IL can't see it now. of course, but l
like to feel it in my pocket, and it VIII
be the first thing | shall look ut when
the doctor lets me take off these beast
" giasses-if ever he does. Until then
well, | like to feel I've got 1t. That's
all.'
They both smoked furiously for sew
eral moments without looking at one
another. Duncombe spoke first.
Andrew"
well"
"If she back, shall you ever
ask her to marry you!"
Il don't know, George. I'm poor,
and I'm twelve years older than she
is. | don't know"
There was another silence. Then the
conversation drifted back once more to
the one subject which was monopoliz'
ing the thoughts of both of them.
Il tell you what seems to me to be
the most extraordinary part of the
whole business" Duncombe said.
First, the brother disappears. Then,
without a word to any one, the sister
also rushes off to Paris and vanisheS
from the face of the earth after a Sc
ries of extraordinary proceedings. One
supposes naturally that If they have
come to harm anywhere-if there has
been a crime-there must have been a
motive. What is it? You say that their
banking account has been undis'
turbed?'
ut was last week. l should hear il
any checks were presented"
And the boys letter Of credit even
has never been drawn upon!'
mo; not since 10 loft Vienna"
'rhen the motive canno be robbery
Thank heaven" Duncombe added, with
a little shuGGer. that it vas the boy
, who went first"
"DOn't!"
= A great winged insect came buZZinl
into the room. Duncombe struck vic
iously at it with the palm of his hand.
Lord" he muttered, what a fool
am! I've eve been away from home
before, Andrew, without longing to sc
back, and here l am just back from
. Paris in August, from turning nigh
, into day, from living just the sort o.
!, life l hate, and I'd give anything to b.
going back there tomorrow. I'm E;
haunted man, Andrew. l got up las
: night simply because l couldn't sleeI
!. and walked down as far as the pad
= dock. | seemed to see her face in al
the shadowy corners, to see her NOV
:. ing toward me from among the trees
And I'm not an imaginative person
Andrew, and I've got nc nerves
!, Look!'
He held out his hand, strong ant
firm and brown. 1t was as steady as
rock.
II can't Sleep" he continued. 6
r can't rest. Is there witchcraft in thi
n thing, Andrew
Andrew Pelham laughed shortly.
/, was a laugh which had no kinship t
mirth.
"And l." he said, "have seen he
, grow up. We were boy and girl tC
|. gether. stole apples for her. l hav
: watched her grow from girlhood int
> w~omanhood. / have known flesh an
blood. and you Il cardboard image.