The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-12-11

not advise his mother or Esther that
he was coming; he thought it would
be ~pleasanter to take them by sur.
prise. The journey seemed very long,
for he was impatient to reach the bed
side OF his friend. 1t was quite dark
when he reached the wayside station
that served St. Chloe and district. He
was cramped with long sitting, and felt
distinctly cold. He looked round for
the carriers van, but it was nowhere
in sight, and when he inquired Of the
porter he was told that Tuesday vas
the carriers offday.
Clement stood for a few moments
biting his lip. He wished now that he
had wired for the brougham to be sent
to meet him. A six miles tramp on a
dark night through narrow country
lanes was not exactly an inviting pros
pect. Besides, he would reach home
too late for dinner. There was moth
ing for it, therefore, but. to hire from
the Station hotel, which meant a ram
shackle dog cart and an equally ram
shackle horse.
He learned from the driver as they
josgled along the rutty and uneven
road that according to latest reports
Grayton was still alive, and was, If
anything, a shade better, but nothing
had been heard Of Nevins, and that no.
body answering to his description had
been seen at any seaport or railway
station.
The whole neighborhood was in a
ferment of excitement, and had been
for the last three days. Nothing else
was talked about. Everybody was on
the qui vive, and women and children
we're afraid to venture out OF the
house after dark lest the would-be
murderer should pounce upon them
with an open knife.
Clement felt. too excited to talk as
he neaTed home. 1t seemed a year at
least since he went away, and his
heart felt quite hungry for a sight Of
his mothers cold and placid face.
After London the place had a strange
ly forsaken appearance, and the
silence was almost oppressive. He
stood for a few moments at the gate
and listened. Now n then the low
boom of the sea came family over the
hills-that was all. No other sound
broke the Stiffness.
Il don't think | could endure to live
here always he reflected, and he
pushed open the gate and waited for
Sammy Granite to carry his kitbag up
to the door.
Wilkins responded to his ring, for
some reason, with unusual alacrlty,
and then stood aghast, altogether TOO
astonished to speak.
you are surprised to see me, Will
kins?" he said, with a smile.
Indeed, yes, sir. But I'm delighted
all the same"
And how are my mother and SIS
ter?"
They are well, thank you. Miss
Esther, believe, is in the drawing
ROOM"
Clement pulled off his overcoat and
hat and threw them on the hall table,
Their marched past the old retalner to
the drawing room door, pushed 1t
open, and entered. :.
Esther Mawgan, who had been sit
ting staring ~abstractedly into the hre,
sprans to her feet with a little cry OF
delight and rushed to meet her
brother.
"Oh, Glen, this is lovely of you" she
said, and then her troubled and anx-
ious face found refuge on his Shout
der.
81 knew you would be worried he
said: land then l was anxious to see
GRAFTON, so l got leave of absence.
Do YOU think he will get better?'
She raised her head, but did not
look at him. 1--WE all hope SO, OF
course" she answered, in a low voice;
but DR.. Bell is very reticent."
"And there is no trace OF Nevins
yet?"
None whatever"
II must join in the search to-mor-
row 1t will be a change from what
I have been doing lately"
do you really like your work.
Clem?"
VERY much. 1t is particularly IN.
teresting to a book lover. 1t is edu-
cational also"